I’m not sure at what point I started wearing a helmet while riding my bicycle, but I do know that it was some point after turning18. I never wore one as a kid riding my bike for fun, for my paper route, or for getting to and from school. Now, as a father and two-time bike-wreck concussion-survivor, I don’t ride without one, nor do I allow my four-year old to ride her bike without her Dora the Explorer helmet.

As a self-admitted bike junky, I look around at the bikes in my garage and all but one, let’s just say there’s close to a half-dozen, have a computer or speedometer of some sort, fancy pedals that require a specific shoe, rechargeable lights, soft-grip cork handle bar tape, gears from 1 to 27, and so on. However, my favorite bike is a replica of a 1948 Schwinn Heavy Duty. They were used as warehouse bikes back in those times. It has an extra strong reinforced frame, simple one-color paint scheme, kick-stand, 60-spoke wheels, and a huge industrial strength basket.

I don’t ride that bike often, but when I do it’s the most fun. I’m tempted to not wear a helmet, just doesn’t seem to fit the theme, but do anyway. I’ll ride it short distances to the grocery store or to Graff Dairy. It’s perfect for pulling my daughter in the tag-a-long. Sometimes, I ride it around the neighborhood just like I did as a kid. No particular reason, just do it to ride. I have no idea how far I’m going or how fast. Push the pedals forward you go, press backwards you stop, can’t get much simpler than that.

May is National Bike Month. So, whether you are an avid cyclist, or haven’t been on one for a while; remember you never forget how to ride a bike. I recommend taking a ride-like-a-kid ride at least once, just for the fun of it. And don’t forget the helmet. Happy riding.