Why does anyone -care- if someone else wears a helmet? Other than my gate guards, I can see where they're coming from (CYA).

It's someone else. Don't caaaaaaaaaaaare...

Anyways, at least where I am, the spandex crowed actually gets greater difference on the road. They get, from what I have seen at least, more respect. Drivers pass slower and wider, nobody seems to (at least when I see them) give them rude comments or anything like that.

It's a part of image. Guys in Spandex on white and black (seriously, like every road bike I see is white and black around here, with the exception of my Over Boss' - it's a Vintage Golden Breed) racing bikes with drops = pr0. Guy on a hybrid with a couple locks, plainclothes and a mispec backpack = kid ******** around on the road.

Or I could be totally wrong; I'm willing to admit that.

Keep in mind though, that is my situation at this specific place, at this specific time.

Maybe if I started wearing fatigues I'd get a bit more...respect (?) from motorists? Who knows.

M.