Why the Dutch don't wear helmets : TreeHugger
Whenever I see cyclists riding in other countries, they always wear normal clothing and don't wear a helmet. They don't stand out in any way visually from a non cyclist. It's not a "sport," or a hobby, or an activity that has any special requirements aside from getting on a bike and pedaling.
Bicycling is an accepted and normal form of recreation and transportation.
But here in the states, we have created a new subspecies of human: "weird bike guy," or "spandex guy." He (cyclists are almost always male):
1. wears a helmet
2. has dork mirror glued to helmet
3. wears spandex shorts
4. wears a team jersey
5. has weird shoes that he can't walk in
6. likes to ride along a scenic route but always keeps his head down so he can't enjoy the scenic route
7. likes to ride to a fun destination such as a cafe or even a street faire, but can't enjoy it since he has nowhere to lock his bike and can't walk anywhere even if he could
8. wears sunglasses that cost as much as a month's rent
Now, I've been a cyclist for about 25 years now as a mountain bike rider, endurance road rider, commuter and general fun seeker. I'm part of the tribe.
But I can also see why given the practices above, cycling can never become a mainstream form of transportation, fun and exercise in the states. The cost and exotic, seemingly absurd practices render us forever weird.
Is it possible for us to join the rest of the world and just ride bikes for fun and to get around town and to give up the pretense that we are racers?