{"id":15221,"date":"2015-10-12T23:59:57","date_gmt":"2015-10-13T06:59:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/?p=15221"},"modified":"2020-09-01T17:03:25","modified_gmt":"2020-09-02T00:03:25","slug":"urban-cycling-extreme-sport","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/urban-cycling-extreme-sport\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Urban Cycling an Extreme Sport?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>It seems to take me almost as long to <strong>prepare<\/strong> for my bike commute, as it takes me to actually commute<\/strong>. When I prepare for a bike ride in the city, I remind myself of a medieval knight preparing for battle.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_15215\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-15215\" style=\"width: 468px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/eepurl.com\/bGzuPf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"15215\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/bike-protection-468x198\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/bike-protection-468x1981.jpg?fit=468%2C198&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"468,198\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"bike-protection-468&#215;198\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Urban cycling can seem like an extreme sport&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/bike-protection-468x1981.jpg?fit=300%2C126&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/bike-protection-468x1981.jpg?fit=468%2C198&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-15215 size-full lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/bike-protection-468x1981.jpg\" alt=\"Urban cycling can seem like an extreme sport\" width=\"468\" height=\"198\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-15215\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"15215\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/bike-protection-468x198\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/bike-protection-468x1981.jpg?fit=468%2C198&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"468,198\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"bike-protection-468&#215;198\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Urban cycling can seem like an extreme sport&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/bike-protection-468x1981.jpg?fit=300%2C126&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/bike-protection-468x1981.jpg?fit=468%2C198&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-15215 size-full lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/bike-protection.jpg?resize=468%2C198&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Urban cycling can seem like an extreme sport\" width=\"468\" height=\"198\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/bike-protection-468x1981.jpg?resize=468%2C1981&amp;ssl=1 468w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/bike-protection-468x1981.jpg?resize=300%2C126&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/bike-protection-468x1981.jpg?resize=150%2C63&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/bike-protection-468x1981.jpg?resize=250%2C105&amp;ssl=1 250w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/bike-protection-468x1981.jpg?resize=320%2C135&amp;ssl=1 320w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 468px) 100vw, 468px\" \/><\/noscript><\/a> Urban cycling can seem like an extreme sport<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li>Batteries charged? <em>Check!<\/em><\/li>\n<li>All six lights working? <em>Check!<\/em><\/li>\n<li>High visibility vest? <em>Check!<\/em><\/li>\n<li>Reflective stripes on <a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/B00CN28HE4\/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=B00CN28HE4&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=avejoecyc0e-20&amp;linkId=J56ZVGP2FLVNJMYW\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">jacket <\/a>and pants? <em>Check!<\/em><\/li>\n<li>Protective goggles?<em> Check! <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/bolle-tactical-goggles-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>(see my review on Bolle tactical goggles for cycling here)<\/strong><\/a><em><br \/>\n<\/em><\/li>\n<li>And of course &#8230; helmet securely buckled? <em>Check!<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_15253\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-15253\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"15253\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/urban-cycling-extreme-sport\/brightest-bike-light-in-the-world-11\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/brightest-bike-light-in-the-world-11.jpg?fit=500%2C440&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"500,440\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"brightest-bike-light-in-the-world-1(1)\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Do you need a bike light THIS big to get motorists to notice you?&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/brightest-bike-light-in-the-world-11.jpg?fit=300%2C264&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/brightest-bike-light-in-the-world-11.jpg?fit=500%2C440&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-15253 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/brightest-bike-light-in-the-world-11.jpg\" alt=\"Do you need a bike light THIS big to get motorists to notice you?\" width=\"500\" height=\"440\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-15253\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"15253\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/urban-cycling-extreme-sport\/brightest-bike-light-in-the-world-11\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/brightest-bike-light-in-the-world-11.jpg?fit=500%2C440&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"500,440\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"brightest-bike-light-in-the-world-1(1)\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Do you need a bike light THIS big to get motorists to notice you?&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/brightest-bike-light-in-the-world-11.jpg?fit=300%2C264&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/brightest-bike-light-in-the-world-11.jpg?fit=500%2C440&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-15253 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/brightest-bike-light-in-the-world-11.jpg?resize=500%2C440&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Do you need a bike light THIS big to get motorists to notice you?\" width=\"500\" height=\"440\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/brightest-bike-light-in-the-world-11.jpg?w=500&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/brightest-bike-light-in-the-world-11.jpg?resize=300%2C264&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/brightest-bike-light-in-the-world-11.jpg?resize=150%2C132&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/brightest-bike-light-in-the-world-11.jpg?resize=250%2C220&amp;ssl=1 250w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/brightest-bike-light-in-the-world-11.jpg?resize=320%2C281&amp;ssl=1 320w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/noscript> Do you need a bike light THIS big to get motorists to notice you?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/bike-lights-complete-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Related: Complete Guide to Bike Lights<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">In fact, it takes me almost as long to <strong>prepare<\/strong> for my commute, as it takes me to actually commute.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_15216\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-15216\" style=\"width: 528px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/B00FPGLUEO\/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=B00FPGLUEO&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=avejoecyc0e-20&amp;linkId=YU22TBQDKZXTAMHR\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"15216\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/biking_girl1-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/biking_girl11.jpg?fit=528%2C557&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"528,557\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"biking_girl(1)\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Are you READY to ride your bike in the city?&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/biking_girl11.jpg?fit=284%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/biking_girl11.jpg?fit=528%2C557&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-15216 size-full lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/biking_girl11.jpg\" alt=\"Are you READY to ride your bike in the city?\" width=\"528\" height=\"557\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-15216\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"15216\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/biking_girl1-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/biking_girl11.jpg?fit=528%2C557&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"528,557\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"biking_girl(1)\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Are you READY to ride your bike in the city?&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/biking_girl11.jpg?fit=284%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/biking_girl11.jpg?fit=528%2C557&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-15216 size-full lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/biking_girl11.jpg?resize=528%2C557&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Are you READY to ride your bike in the city?\" width=\"528\" height=\"557\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/biking_girl11.jpg?w=528&amp;ssl=1 528w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/biking_girl11.jpg?resize=284%2C300&amp;ssl=1 284w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/biking_girl11.jpg?resize=300%2C316&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/biking_girl11.jpg?resize=142%2C150&amp;ssl=1 142w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/biking_girl11.jpg?resize=250%2C263&amp;ssl=1 250w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/biking_girl11.jpg?resize=320%2C337&amp;ssl=1 320w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 528px) 100vw, 528px\" \/><\/noscript><\/a> Are you READY to ride your bike in the city?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>I have taken this for granted for a long time. It\u2019s just the way things are for urban bicycle commuters. Just like knights had to defend themselves from men on horses with pointy sticks, we have to protect ourselves from hurtling 5 ton vehicles driven by people who may be distracted by coffee, alcohol, cell phones, breakfast, texting, anger, sorrow, tiredness, or all of the above. Or who may just be recklessly speeding to blow off some excess testosterone (much like the men with pointy sticks).<\/p>\n<h3>Am I sending the message that urban cycling is an extreme sport when I dress for protection?<\/h3>\n<p>Recently I have started to question all this. If I prepare for cycling like a knight preparing for mortal combat, what kind of message am I sending?<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_15254\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-15254\" style=\"width: 225px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"15254\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/urban-cycling-extreme-sport\/protective-cycling-wear1\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Protective-cycling-wear1.jpeg?fit=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"225,300\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Protective cycling wear(1)\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Do you need to dress like a WARRIOR to survive your bike commute?&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Protective-cycling-wear1.jpeg?fit=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Protective-cycling-wear1.jpeg?fit=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-15254 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Protective-cycling-wear1.jpeg\" alt=\"Do you need to dress like a WARRIOR to survive your bike commute?\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-15254\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"15254\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/urban-cycling-extreme-sport\/protective-cycling-wear1\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Protective-cycling-wear1.jpeg?fit=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"225,300\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Protective cycling wear(1)\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Do you need to dress like a WARRIOR to survive your bike commute?&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Protective-cycling-wear1.jpeg?fit=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Protective-cycling-wear1.jpeg?fit=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-15254 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Protective-cycling-wear1.jpeg?resize=225%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Do you need to dress like a WARRIOR to survive your bike commute?\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Protective-cycling-wear1.jpeg?w=225&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Protective-cycling-wear1.jpeg?resize=112%2C150&amp;ssl=1 112w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/noscript> Do you need to dress like a WARRIOR to survive your bike commute?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Obviously, I am sending the message that urban cycling is a very dangerous, life-threatening activity \u2013 an extreme sport, like solo rock climbing without ropes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>And if I am sending such a message, what does that mean? Well, for one thing, it means that other people aren\u2019t likely to follow my example. After all, <strong>it\u2019s tough enough having to go to work every day, without having to risk your life to get there<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">I mean, if getting to work involved climbing bare-handed up a cliff (and coming back down the same way at the end of the day), I\u2019m pretty sure most people would opt for welfare.<\/p>\n<p>Sending this kind of message is <strong>contrary to my mission<\/strong> of encouraging average people to embrace cycling as a viable means of urban transportation.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">On the other hand, cycling in dark clothing without a helmet on the <a href=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/sea-to-river-bike-route-burnaby\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">dangerous \u201ccycling routes\u201d of Burnaby<\/a> is <strong>contrary to my mission of staying alive<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>It was in this context that I found Mikael Colville-Andersen\u2019s argument against wearing helmets while cycling very interesting. It&#8217;s a fascinating TED talk, and well worth a watch. (Note: if you are in Vancouver and watch this, keep an eye out for the world&#8217;s most livable cities graphic &#8211; and <strong>note what it shows about cycling in Vancouver. <\/strong>Of course, this video is a few years old, so maybe things have changed).<\/p>\n<p><iframe class=\"lazyload\" title=\"TEDxCopenhagen - Mikael Colville-Andersen - Why We Shouldn&#039;t Bike with a Helmet\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/07o-TASvIxY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Mikael argues that <strong>modern humans live in a culture of fear<\/strong> \u2013 now that we don\u2019t have to worry about being killed by bears at any moment, we spend our energies worrying that we will get sick and die from touching the door handles in public washrooms. Because of this, we have developed what he calls an almost pornographic <strong>obsession with safety equipment<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">We live in a <strong>BUBBLE WRAP society<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>And as with almost all things in modern society it all leads back to <strong>big business<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">As he says, <strong>\u201cFear is lucrative. Fear is big business.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If businesses can get people to be afraid, then we will scurry off in our thousands to stores where we can buy things that we think will protect us from the perceived danger. (Imagine how many millions of dollars are currently being spent on the smelly bottles of hand sanitizers that have suddenly become ubiquitous.)<\/p>\n<p>For example, there\u2019s a company called Thudguard that wants parents to buy infant safety headgear so that children don\u2019t hurt themselves in the course of their normal activities (such as crawling, playing or learning to walk).<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2261\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2261\" style=\"width: 250px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/B00LSZ0CTA\/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=B00LSZ0CTA&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=avejoecyc0e-20&amp;linkId=HIOEPXPINWVVL5KA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"2261\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/thudguard\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/thudguard.jpg?fit=250%2C263&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"250,263\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"thudguard\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/thudguard.jpg?fit=250%2C263&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/thudguard.jpg?fit=250%2C263&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-2261 size-full lazyload\" title=\"thudguard\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/thudguard.jpg\" alt=\"is cycling extreme sport\" width=\"250\" height=\"263\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2261\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"2261\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/thudguard\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/thudguard.jpg?fit=250%2C263&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"250,263\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"thudguard\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/thudguard.jpg?fit=250%2C263&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/thudguard.jpg?fit=250%2C263&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-2261 size-full lazyload\" title=\"thudguard\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/thudguard.jpg?resize=250%2C263&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"is cycling extreme sport\" width=\"250\" height=\"263\" \/><\/noscript><\/a> Thudguard infant helmets are marketed as devices to protect the delicate brains of crawling and toddling children. Makes you wonder how the human race has survived this far&#8230;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Yes, really. I\u2019m not making it up. Google it if you don\u2019t believe me.<\/p>\n<p>Having raised three children, <strong>I am 100% certain that infant helmets are an insane idea <\/strong>(and as an ex-philosophy student, I am very seldom 100% certain about anything, so this is saying a lot). Kids fall and hurt themselves, and it\u2019s all part of the normal process of growing and learning.<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, there are things that we do that <strong>really are dangerous<\/strong>. For example, <strong>1.2 million people a year are killed driving their cars<\/strong>. However, we don\u2019t acknowledge that driving cars is dangerous, and so it doesn&#8217;t even cross our minds to dress in safety gear to drive our cars. Even though <strong>motorist helmets have been invented. <\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2262\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2262\" style=\"width: 188px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/B007CMDS6M\/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=B007CMDS6M&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=avejoecyc0e-20&amp;linkId=XG6OSD7VMHW6UDY5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"2262\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/motoring-headband\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/motoring-headband.jpg?fit=188%2C199&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"188,199\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"motoring headband\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Motoring Headband \u2013 its promoters claim it will protect you against most of the damaging and fatal impacts associated with car crashes. And of course, as it\u2019s in a neutral colour, it goes with anything.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/motoring-headband.jpg?fit=188%2C199&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/motoring-headband.jpg?fit=188%2C199&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-2262 size-full lazyload\" title=\"is cycling extreme sport\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/motoring-headband.jpg\" alt=\"is cycling extreme sport\" width=\"188\" height=\"199\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2262\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"2262\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/motoring-headband\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/motoring-headband.jpg?fit=188%2C199&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"188,199\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"motoring headband\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Motoring Headband \u2013 its promoters claim it will protect you against most of the damaging and fatal impacts associated with car crashes. And of course, as it\u2019s in a neutral colour, it goes with anything.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/motoring-headband.jpg?fit=188%2C199&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/motoring-headband.jpg?fit=188%2C199&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-2262 size-full lazyload\" title=\"is cycling extreme sport\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/averagejoecyclist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/motoring-headband.jpg?resize=188%2C199&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"is cycling extreme sport\" width=\"188\" height=\"199\" \/><\/noscript><\/a> Motoring Headband \u2013 its promoters claim it will protect you against most of the damaging and fatal impacts associated with car crashes. And of course, as it\u2019s in a neutral colour, it goes with anything.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>However, as Mikael points out, <strong>motorist helmets are not promoted<\/strong> (let alone mandated by legislation). For example, they are not given out free with cars. That\u2019s scarcely surprising \u2013 giving out these head bands would mean acknowledging that driving cars is extremely dangerous, and that would undermine the enormously successful job car manufacturers have done of convincing people that <strong>driving cars is a safe activity<\/strong>. Even though, based on the stats, <strong>driving a car is an incredibly dangerous activity<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>In fact, if I was sensible, I would prepare for driving my car just as carefully as I do for a bike ride.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>All lights working? <em>Check<\/em><\/li>\n<li>Bumpers in good shape? <em>Check<\/em><\/li>\n<li>Neck brace on to protect against whiplash in the event of being rear-ended?<em> Check<\/em><\/li>\n<li>Knee guards on to protect against broken knee caps in the event of a head-on collision?<em> Check<\/em><\/li>\n<li>Car painted in a bright colour (preferably <strong>very bright yellow<\/strong>) with reflective stripes? <em>Check<\/em><\/li>\n<li>And of course &#8230; <strong>motorist helmet securely buckled<\/strong>? <em>Check<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The point is that car manufacturers don\u2019t promote helmets because they don\u2019t want to put people off buying cars by portraying driving as a dangerous activity. And they\u2019re right to be afraid \u2013 the stats show unequivocally that <a href=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/mandatory-bike-helmet-laws\/\"><strong>the emphasis on bike helmets does in fact put people off cycling<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>The more we promote bike helmets, the less people cycle.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Thus, the main problem with promoting bike helmets is that <em>people stop cycling<\/em>. <strong>Especially if you legislate it<\/strong>. This is absolutely proven by <a href=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/mandatory-bike-helmet-laws\/\">research in New Zealand<\/a>. So people are being scared away from a life-sustaining,\u00a0 health-giving, calorie-burning, fun, and environmentally friendly mode of transport. To make things worse, as Mikael points out, <strong>the research on whether helmets help in accidents is ambivalent<\/strong>. And, if you are scared off cycling by the emphasis on helmets, you may be setting yourself up for lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and stroke.<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, there is a vast body of anecdotal evidence on the <strong>protective effects of helmets in bike accidents<\/strong> \u2013 see for example some of the more impassioned comments in the video above. And <a href=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/bike-helmets-bike-lights-accidents\/\">Mrs. Average Joe Cyclist believes strongly that her helmet protected her from head injury when she had a bike accident<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Bottom line for me:<\/strong> I agree that by dressing up as if I expect violent death at any second, I increase the perception that cycling is an extreme sport \u2013 and risk scaring other people away from cycling. However, until such time as I can cycle to most places on <a href=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/benefits-separated-bike-lanes\/\">separated bike lanes<\/a>, <em>I am going to keep preparing for cycling like a knight setting out for dangerous battle fields where heavily armed enemies will do their level best to kill him.<\/em> Because even though most motorists emphatically <strong>do not<\/strong> want to kill me, the reality is that they could, very easily, kill me accidentally (much like we sometimes step on ants while walking, even though we really have no intent to kill ants).<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/averagejoecyclist.com\/benefits-separated-bike-lanes\/\"><strong>Related: The Top 3 Benefits of Separated Bike Lanes &#8211; # 3 will surprise you!<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>And if the time ever comes that I am hit by a car and go flying through the air and hit the sidewalk head first, <strong>I would very much like my helmet to take the brunt of it, not my comparatively very vulnerable head<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>This is not an easy issue \u2013 <strong>think about it and make up your own mind<\/strong>. Unfortunately, for many of us, our own opinions are irrelevant. We have been brainwashed into believing that bike helmets are essential, and we are governed by laws that force us to use them.<\/p>\n<h3>Did you like this post? If so, please support our blog:<\/h3>\n<p>We spend a lot of time writing these posts, and we would appreciate it very much if you would <strong>SHARE<\/strong> it with others (using the Share buttons) or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/averagejoe.cyclist\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>LIKE our Facebook page<\/strong><\/a>. 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Will wearing bike helmets save our lives &#8211; or just discourage others from cycling, and so increase the numbers of people who will die from lack of exercise?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15259,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[108],"tags":[109,750,726,535,21],"class_list":{"0":"post-15221","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-bike-safety","8":"tag-bike-commuting","9":"tag-bike-safety","10":"tag-cycling-infrastructure-2","11":"tag-safe-cycling-infrastructure","12":"tag-yeah-i-wanna-cycle-without-getting-killed","13":"entry"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v23.8 (Yoast SEO v25.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Is Urban Cycling an Extreme Sport? 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