News Sep 25, 2014 at 12:40 pm

Helmet Machines Will Not Be Ready for Seattle Bike Share Launch

Ansel Herz
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Comments

1
Will there be a box for used, sweaty helmets and a second box for clean helmets? Or they're all one box.
Matt the Engineer on September 25, 2014 at 12:51 PM Report this
2
@1, separate. The minute Pronto's nearest station opens I'm grabbing a fresh one and hanging onto it until the automated system's up and running.
TomJohnsonJr on September 25, 2014 at 12:55 PM Report this
3
Their is a easy fix for the helmet law. Make it a secondary offense.

Since there is no political will to be reasonable, we can only assume the council is full of assholes.
meanie on September 25, 2014 at 1:00 PM Report this
4
Plastic and styrofoam hats don't prevent cycling deaths. Not getting run into by thousands of pounds of metal traveling 30 mph or greater prevents cycling deaths. Yes to infrastructure, 'meh' or outright NO to helmet laws.
Pneumatic on September 25, 2014 at 1:02 PM Report this
5
Free Bern helmets? I can already picture them rattle canned a different color and on the heads of miscreant boarders at Summit Central.

nowhiners on September 25, 2014 at 1:09 PM Report this
6
@4, helmets DO prevent cycling deaths, lots of them. While the majority of deaths and serious injuries from car collisions would not be prevented by a helmet, there are plenty of deaths and injuries that would. Helmet use should be encouraged.

But to your larger point: I agree, mandatory helmet laws are counterproductive in situations like this. Ours should be repealed. Good luck with that, though.
Fnarf on September 25, 2014 at 1:10 PM Report this
7

I need a new helmet but a quick Google for these and they aren't easy to find.

They aren't sold by Amazon.

The nearest dealer to me is a skate shop in Black Diamond.

They have 13 bike helmet models.

bern may be more than I can chew.
Supreme Ruler Of The Universe on September 25, 2014 at 1:14 PM Report this
8
ew.
Max Solomon on September 25, 2014 at 1:16 PM Report this
9
Public helmets? Narrrsty.
on September 25, 2014 at 1:16 PM Report this
10
#4

I was cut off by a right turning car while shooting out of a bike lane into an intersection here in Kent (256th and 132nd).

I laid down my bike to stop quickly and avoid the car but I went head first into the rear bumper as it made its turn.

My helmet directly prevented head injury.
Supreme Ruler Of The Universe on September 25, 2014 at 1:18 PM Report this
11
Head lice city?
Pope Peabrain on September 25, 2014 at 1:18 PM Report this
12
Scared Cow!
yelahneb on September 25, 2014 at 1:26 PM Report this
13
Wow, I wasn't planning on stealing a helmet, but just Ansel did a pretty good job of selling me on the idea.
fad on September 25, 2014 at 1:48 PM Report this
14
I like the way the spokesperson doesn't care if people steal helmets because, meh, someone else is paying for them. I'd like her to run a business for me!
fletc3her on September 25, 2014 at 2:12 PM Report this
15
@6 Helmets for mountain biking, children, and seniors make a lot of sense. For most adults riding around town, they should not be mandatory. The best way to prevent cycling deaths of people using bikes for everyday transportation is to give cyclists the room they need on the road, for drivers and cyclists to pay attention, understand and adhere to the rules of traffic, and in busy areas, for the traffic signals to regulate the flow of bikes and cars separately from one another. Riding with a helmet is certainly not a bad idea, but helmets are not the solution to the problem, and may have the effect of bringing down ridership in general.
Pneumatic on September 25, 2014 at 2:20 PM Report this
16
Oh. Jesus. Helmet share?

Is there nothing this goober town can't fuck up?

Mark my words. The Seattle bike share is going to fail so hard. SO hard. How can nobody see this?
tkc on September 25, 2014 at 2:20 PM Report this
17
I'm still pissed they axed the only Eastlake station that would be useful for residents because of NIMBYs.
King Rat on September 25, 2014 at 2:21 PM Report this
18
I wonder how hard it would be to remove the pronto logos? I am in the market for a new winter commuter helmet.
Thanks Pronto!
Andy_Squirrel on September 25, 2014 at 2:25 PM Report this
19
8: REI sells Bern helmets. If there numerous Puget Sound stores aren't convenient you can order online and have it delivered, even to Kent.
bigyaz on September 25, 2014 at 2:34 PM Report this
20
What does it mean to "treat[...] [something] like a scared cow"?
Real tenderly?
Or with ropes and cattle prods?
I've never seen a cow ride a bicycle, OR wear a helmet.

@16 -- With all the sweaty, sweaty hills, and the regressive helmet-law, I, too, will be surprised if this makes it off the ground. :\
treacle on September 25, 2014 at 2:38 PM Report this
21
Stealing what appears to be an easy take is bad for your soul.

If you have a Pronto! membership, you'll get a coupon for a free helmet to be picked up at a bike shop and to keep all your own, legally.

Get a membership and stop noodling.
RebR on September 25, 2014 at 2:59 PM Report this
22
@21 - Yeah, *REAL* thieves shun babies-with-candy situations, and only go for serious theft challenges.
treacle on September 25, 2014 at 3:24 PM Report this
23
@7 is too stupid to search amazon. And no one is surprised.
JonnoN on September 25, 2014 at 3:31 PM Report this
24
So you're saying I could find a bin full of bike helmets that I could sell to someone not in the know about the bike share (or maybe they don't care) ? Sounds like a great way to fund a drug/alcohol/eating habit for those down on their luck.

Maybe this is why it's not launching in Charles' neighborhood.
ChefJoe on September 25, 2014 at 3:32 PM Report this
25
@23

Lol, you're right.

I searched for Pronto bike helmets
Then I searched for bike helmets and looked for bern in the left-nav
Then i finally searched for "bern bike helmets" and found them!

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1…

Good looking...pricey...but good looking!
Supreme Ruler Of The Universe on September 25, 2014 at 4:11 PM Report this
26
Also see http://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2014/09/2…
stinkbug on September 25, 2014 at 4:24 PM Report this
27
I have that exact helmet (sans the logos). Love it. Makes it look like I should be on a polo pony instead of a bike.

But, I'm pretty sure having it be the stolen helmet of choice is going to ruin its cachet eventually, even here on the other coast.
Brooklyn Reader on September 25, 2014 at 9:28 PM Report this
28
I am sure that 99 per cent of women will refuse to rent a bike/hat as soon as they hear the word 'lice'. Men might be less fussy (especially the baldies).
on September 26, 2014 at 10:15 AM Report this
29
Fnarf, even if helmets do save lives, there has not been a single death in the entire US on a bike share bike!

What's the point of mandating safety equipment when the activity has already been proven safe?
The spokesman on September 26, 2014 at 11:39 AM Report this
30
Carry a fucking helmet with you.
caution&daring on September 28, 2014 at 7:48 AM Report this

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