Disposable.... er... recyclable helmets and fleets of rental bicycles?

I think the rental bikes are a temporary solution to a temporary problem. With the problem being: Wanting to ride a bicycle downtown... but not wanting to actually own a bicycle.

A cardboard helmet is the same. Having a helmet-ish thing to wear (while riding a bicycle shaped object... that you also don't own.

I am not against it. But the cardboard helmets and rental bikes just serve as a reminder (to me) that cycling currently has a fad-like appeal to many.