when i started riding again as an adult several years ago after i moved to a better climate in seattle, i used to hear pedestrians, drivers and cops spitefully yell out, "where's your helmet?" (or worse). about two years ago, things seemed to change. we elected an everyday, bike-riding mayor that all but stopped enforcing the helmet law, and i started seeing a few more helmetless riders on the road and trail.

i use lights at night out of respect for myself, drivers and other cyclists approaching me on the trail. it's uncool, disrespectful and stupidly dangerous to ride at night without a white/clear light up front and a red one in back. both mine blink.

oh ... i do wear a cinelli cycling cap. i don't mind it until i start sweating too much, then i'll stow it in the bag. i think drivers appreciate seeing something on the rider's head. i wish i could reassure them even more, but my disposition disallows it.