Stupid Helmet Crackdown

I just got ticketed for riding without a helmet when on a four block ride. That's especially lame since I actually wear my geeky helmet 97% of the time anyways. But lo and behold I felt a flashing aura of red and blue creep over me from behind. I tried whining a bit, but hardly enough to actually get out of the $29 ticket. I was annoyed, but at least Officer Perca wasn't camera shy as he scribbled out my ticket.

My reasonably polite but no-shit officer, said it's been in the news and stuff that the fuzz'd be cracking down on crackpot no-helmet cyclists such as myself, insinuating that it was my own fault I haven't been reading the Province much lately.

Now here's a funny thing. Right after we said our tearful goodbyes, he cruised right past some other young dude who had no helmet, lights, or boyish charms, with nary a sideway glance. This kinda bugged me. But then again, the dude looked like one of those potentially destitiute types who deserves a little leniency (and we were on the Hastings drag). Was i targeted because I looked like I could/should be able to afford a helment or fine? Or maybe was the copper more concerned for the safety of my noggin than person B's? But the next day I observed a well-dressed couple riding through Kerrisdale, and I couldn't help but wonder if Officer Perca would turn a blind eye from their free-flowing locks and flapping beige scarves.

Anyhow, i should sadly admit that despite my full endoresement of bicycles for transportation, close calls are less rare than they should be, due to my own idiocy or that of boneheaded drivers. Hell, in the last two point five months, two of my friends have received a total of 27 stitches as a result of bike crashes sans helmets. Maybe you don't like bike helmets because they don't look cool. Well madam, I can only assume that you have no idea how over-cool you already are, and you really would be best served to come down a step or two. Or at the very least, take my warning to avoid the drags where cops are looking to reach their quota of tickets against individuals who haven't paid enough dues to society, and if you get caught anyway you can always claim that you don't have ID on you and give a phony name and address.