I don't have any interest in the helmet debate, but the thread has evolved some and I'd like to add to comments made earlier regarding general safety.

I talked to my sister last night. We were just catching up on things and she asked what we've been up to. I told her that we went skiing/snowboarding several times and that I've been bike riding through the winter.

She went into this Debbie Downer thing about how a young snowboarder in the Detroit area (where she lives) died and another one was seriously injured. It turns out a ski patrol person drove a snowmobile up the mountain and collided with a 7 yr. old snowboarder. Clearly, that's a freak thing. Then she tells me about another couple of stories, one regarding a cyclist who's a newscaster and hasn't been the same since she was hit.

I phased out and didn't even want to stay on the phone.

She stays inside a lot and weighs about 220 pounds (which is what I might weigh if I didn't cycle). I just can't live a sedentary lifestyle and don't begin to understand her point. I'm sure it's safer on a treadmill or other hampster-type machine but I'm not interested. I won't even talk about this with my wife. Bottom line--my kids and I will get out and live life.

It's just important to get your excersize, doing your own thing, while being reasonably safe.