Helmets hurt bicycle utilization

Here's an interesting article arguing that helmet laws hurt bicycle usage. Quote from the article: "Pushing helmets really kills cycling and bike-sharing in particular because it promotes a sense of danger that just isn’t justified" The idea here seems to be that helmet regulations complicate adoption rates of bicycling programs (who wants to carry a helmet around all the time?), and that even though a helmet does protect in some crashes, those type of accidents are very rare. The net health benefits of exercise, reduced traffic congestion, and the like are estimated to be far more beneficial than cost of requiring helmets. When I was younger I used to ride my bike quite a bit, but where I live now - I think I'd get killed if I took a bike off of my street.

Is this the best song ever written?

I kind of smiled when I came across the song Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder today. I remember the first time I heard this song. It came on the radio when I was riding in the car with my Mom when I was little. I checked wikipedia and it says the song was released in 1976/77 time-frame, so I was probably about 7 yrs old. I think the trumpet part in the musical break is what grabbed my attention and it still strikes me as cool even today. Back then I don't think I'd ever heard anything like that and about halfway through the song I remember asking my Mom if this was the best song ever written.

Image from Mars

I missed this image from Mars Curiosity Rover about a month ago. I just happened upon a few minutes ago. Here's the link from astronomy pic of the day. I really like this photo.

TV ad

I cracked up the first time I saw this commercial and love it's oddball humor. I've seen it on TV a few times now, but in case you haven't seen it - here it is.