OK, we know. For some people, bicycle helmets are just so uncool that they don’t want to wear them. And then they mess up your hair.
We haven’t come across a solution to the hair problem, but we have spotted some fashionable helmets that the Cycle Chic movement would approve of.
At the New Jersey Bike & Walk Summit, Jerseyite Cheryl Allen-Munley was showing off girly hats that cover her helmet shells, all sold through her company Bandbox. A floppy hat with flowers and a brim? Or a felt 1920s cloche for winter? For those who prefer something more rugged, choices include a bush hat and a baseball cap.
Yakkay, a Danish company, has won several awards for its fashionable take on helmets. Want a new look? Just change the cover. There’s even a furry option. And its accessories include helmet-friendly ear muffs. One drawback: the list of retailers on its website doesn’t include any in the U.S. (is that possible?)
Some prefer helmets that look better suited to skateboarders. Cycle Chic (the name of a real store in the U.K.) carries some among its four brands (check out Nutcase).
All too much? As a pair of otherwise chic, bike-in-a-suit bloggers say, embrace messy hair (after riding with a helmet). And yes, they’ve also got some tips for? riding in a suit, for those who want to arrive at work looking smart. (One key point: take it slow and steady.)
What would your fashion helmet look like?