Transportation and Health

I like (effective) infographics - really caters to my right- and left-brain interests!  The one below is a little long, but has a lot of interesting information.  It suggests solutions to alternative transportation, though they aren't always that clear cut in real practice...

For instance, due to my partner's job, I commute about 40-45 minutes to campus for my MPH courses - but the trade-off is that he only travels about 15 minutes to work.  Sure, moving closer to campus would cut down on gasoline, etc., costs, but for many reasons, this works out the best for the both of us.  Not entirely environmentally friendly, but I think that's OK.  (If the infographic is hard to see, here's the link.)

Oh!  Speaking of bicycling, here's another graphic on biking safely - always a nice reminder, I think!

Ride safe, readers!

Bike Helmets - To wear or not to wear?

For me, wearing a bike helmet is a no brainer (pun...not intended).  Particularly if I'm riding on roads, moderately difficult trails, and the like.  However, I admit if the ride is short or deemed relatively safe/leisurely, I'll forgo the helmet (as does my partner who is a more advanced rider).

This recent blog post from NewPublicHealth.org got me thinking of all the reasons folks don't wear helmets:
"Is Avoiding Injury Reason Enough to Compel Riders to Wear Bike Helmets?"

Come to think of it, I've noticed this particularly on greenways and neighborhood streets (usually among the adults or older kids)...But the main reason I wear a helmet is due to my lack of experience (and general clumsiness) with bike riding.  And I have certainly fallen a few times, though body armor could've helped a bit (especially the time I tumbled off the trail and onto rocks...:o/).

One of the commenters noted that some reasons folks may not wear a helmet is due to comfort, the seriousness/duration of the ride, and the extent to which it would mess up hair.

In my mind, I feel like society has normalized helmet-wearing (like cigarette non-smoking)...which is, apparently, a bit more optimistic than what's the reality out there!

What reasons do you choose - or you think might be why folks choose - not to wear a bike helmet?  Do you feel any guilt when not wearing one??...anxiety or nervousness?...