May
12
2009
By
The Staff
of Valet.
 

The number of nonfatal bicycle-related head injuries reported in 2008. (Source: CPSC)

267,000
Hard
Headed
Question
I recently picked up a vintage English bike and I've been riding it everywhere, even though I wear a suit and tie everyday. My wife wants me to wear a helmet, but they look awful, are there any stylish options?
- David, New York
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Answer

This was a stumper. For some reason, style and safety never play well together. That said, there are a few options out on the market that can protect the noggin while allowing you to avoid looking like a peddling missionary passing out pamphlets. Yakkay, a Danish company, offers helmets masked as caps (though the dapper herringbone may be a bit warm). In the realm of traditional cycle helmets, Bell's lightweight Vairant offers a certain equestrian charm. Which got us thinking, why not just go for a modern riding helmet like Troxel's? What could look better with a suit?

 

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