On helmets:

[liquidlove]

I've gotten in a slew of debates with people over helmet use, helmet laws, helmet necessity, etc. The debate has mostly revolved around motorcyclists, but I apply the same arguments to bicyclists. I once argued with a girl whose father was in some group fighting to repeal the helmet law for motorcyclists. My argument was that a requirement for a motorcyclist to wear a helmet isn't really the issue of "personal freedom" that a lot of people want to believe it is. Its an issue of liability. Regardless of fault, someone driving a four-wheeled motor vehicle could easily cause serious damage or death to a motorcyclist. Killing a motorcyclist, even in the instance that the other vehicle is not at fault, could potentially result in a lot of financial/emotional damage. I also think that more people should take into account that when an uninsured motorcyclist/bicyclist enters an E.R., some/most of that money comes out of taxpayers pockets while at the same time driving the directly affected into a serious credit crisis. Even if they are insured, a severe head injury will lead to the same end. Especially since any insurance company is unlikely to provide the same benefit to a non-helmetwearer as they would a helmetwearer. So basically, this "personal choice" affects more than just the person who chooses whether or not to wear a helmet. If Americans really want universal healthcare, personal liability needs to be taken MUCH more seriously.
Unfortunately, it probably takes more than a concern for other drivers, taxpayers, and the nature of universal healthcare to change someone's mind. When a friend of mine was getting teased for wearing a bike helmet he responded with, "I worked 25 years to get my brain to this point, why would I want to fuck it up now?"
I like that. I also like this:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/09/on-bicycle-helmets.php