Advocacy & Safety - Role Model Idiot

http://media3.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2007/09/28/PH2007092802108.jpg

Nice to see the Washington Post show pro basketball icon Gilbert Arenas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilbert_Arenas) riding his bike w/o helmet and giant headphones downtown. This article was on the front page of today's sports section.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/28/AR2007092801916.html

Why start the earphone discussion again?

I say good for him. At least he is not in a cage.

Anyone who does not use a bike for 99% of the transportation should not lecture others about ear phones.

Listen the radio in your car?

FOR SHAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

good for him. he's on a bike.

It doesn't look like the headphones are even on his ears in the photo.

It's great to see an NBA star riding a bike for fitness and transportation. He could be chauffered around everywhere in a fleet of bulletproof SUVs like Dick Ch#n*y. Regardless of how he rides, that single photo will probably do more for cycling advocacy than one hundred decked out perfect vehicular commuters.

The notion that an adult human needs to wear a bicycle helmet for every little ride is utterly ridiculous.

Robert

Regardless of how he rides, that single photo will probably do more for cycling advocacy than one hundred decked out perfect vehicular commuters.

The notion that an adult human needs to wear a bicycle helmet for every little ride is utterly ridiculous.

Robert


+1000

i believe lebron james mountain bikes and owns part of cannondale

It's great to see an NBA star riding a bike for fitness and transportation. He could be chauffered around everywhere in a fleet of bulletproof SUVs like Dick Ch#n*y. Regardless of how he rides, that single photo will probably do more for cycling advocacy than one hundred decked out perfect vehicular commuters.

The notion that an adult human needs to wear a bicycle helmet for every little ride is utterly ridiculous.

Robert
Amen, Robert.

I have no problem with that, at least he's not in a car.

whats he ridding

Specialized.

is that a hardrock?

I'm more offended that he rides on the sidewalk -- which is illegal in that part of DC -- than that he rides without a helmet.



Arenas wore headphones but no helmet -- "I look goofy in it" he said -- and mostly stuck to the sidewalks -- "there's cars in the street, I'd rather hit a person than a car any day," he said.


nice.

Plus the article says he's been eating sea bass every day, contributing to overfishing and depletion of the oceans ;) . Role model indeed.

It's great to see an NBA star riding a bike for fitness and transportation. He could be chauffered around everywhere in a fleet of bulletproof SUVs like Dick Ch#n*y. Regardless of how he rides, that single photo will probably do more for cycling advocacy than one hundred decked out perfect vehicular commuters.

The notion that an adult human needs to wear a bicycle helmet for every little ride is utterly ridiculous.

Robert

First of all, it is great to see anyone on a bike. Especially someone of that stature.

The point is he is not a typical "adult human". He is a public figure and is highly influential on the general public, especially children. Those in that position have a different level of conduct they are expected to abide by. By him saying that he is too self conscious and embarrassed to wear a helmet ("I look goofy in a helmet"), that sends the wrong message.

http://media3.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2007/09/28/PH2007092802108.jpg

Nice to see the Washington Post show pro basketball icon Gilbert Arenas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilbert_Arenas) riding his bike w/o helmet and giant headphones downtown.
An idiot would have forgotten to get his autograph.

"there's cars in the street, I'd rather hit a person than a car any day," he said.

A LAB Road 1 course would be helpful in correcting this line of thinking. On the sidewalk wearing headphones and dark colors, he is not only a hazard to pedestrians, but stands a much better chance of getting hit by a car than if he were on the road. Not taking cars into consideration for a moment, he also stands a better chance of being injured on the sidewalk. He should at least read "Bicycling Street Smarts:
Riding Confidently, Legally and Safely" by John S. Allen.

I don't really care if he chooses not to wear a helmet. Although I do think vanity is the wrong reason to not wear one.

First of all, it is great to see anyone on a bike. Especially someone of that stature.

The point is he is not a typical "adult human". He is a public figure and is highly influential on the general public, especially children. Those in that position have a different level of conduct they are expected to abide by. By him saying that he is too self conscious and embarrassed to wear a helmet ("I look goofy in a helmet"), that sends the wrong message.


I don't agree that wearing a bicycle helmet is so important as to justify vilifying someone who chooses not to wear one, for whatever reason, even if that someone is a role model. 'Wear a helmet every time you get on a bike' is not a message that needs to be sent or deserves to be sent. If Gilbert Arenas chooses not to wear a helmet when he rides, that's his business. Meanwhile you are free to wear yours and that's your business.

Bike helmets are not so effective as to warrant the status they have been elevated to in North American cycling culture. It approaches mass hysteria.

Robert

The whole article is about his recovery, very inspiring.