The Don't-Know-How To Use Helmeter

 Using helmets can be unsafe

Some cyclists wear a helmet because they think it can save them in case of an accident. Others are willing to take the risk and don't use it. However, there is a third type of cyclists, the ones that bother to buy and take a protective headwear, but instead of putting it on the top of their head, they hang it on the handlebars.

I noticed this phenomenon quite a while ago. At first, I thought it's mainly teenagers who try to keep their parents satisfied by taking the helmet, but want to keep the cool hair style. But then, on 28 March 2012, I saw this guy by the Royal canal near Leeson St. He was definitely not a child.

The Ha'penny-Farthinger

Leading Penny-Farthing in Temple Bar

In the 19th century Penny-Farthing bicycles were quite fashionable. Nowadays, one can rarely see them around.
I spotted this guy in temple bar on 22 January 2012, just before the Trad Fest began.

Later on that day, I saw him again, this time near Ha'penny Bridge. It's funny that the only things left in Ireland from the good auld penny are a bridge and the amusing bicycle, whereas the coin has been gone for long.

The Ha'penny-Fathinger

The Waterproof Man

 It's raining men

It's hard to deny that Dubliners enjoy the rain for about 2 out of every 3 days. Yet, we don't give up cycling just because it's lashing. As we're not made of sugar, we wrap ourselves up and proceed with care. Some of us take the wrapping up procedures very seriously...

I met this good fellow in 8 July 2010 in Capel St, near Grattan Bridge. As you can see, a real Dublin cyclist doesn't need a fancy showerproof vest to stay dry.

The Puppy Carrier

The photograph on Flickr.

I encountered this person quite a while ago, on 14 September 2011. To be more precise, it was 7:26AM and I was cycling near Drumcondra station when I noticed the guy with his cute little puppy sitting inside his bicycle basket.

Now, don't get me wrong, the dog was adorable and all that. But when one walks the dog out, one actually needs to, mmm, walk. Well, I rather see a man giving a ride to a hound than a horse pulling a heavy carriage full of people...

As Jerry Seinfeld put it nicely:

If aliens are watching this through telescopes, they're going to think the dogs are the leaders of the planet. If you see two life forms, one of them's making a poop, the other one's carrying it for him, who would you assume is in charge?

The Viking Helmet Guy

You see them all over the streets of Dublin.You might even be one of them...
They are Dublin's Cyclists, these cute little leprechauns on wheels that roll around the fair city dangerously and only St Paddy's blessing saves them from involvement in accidents.

Here we shall share photographs of the funniest and the craziest of them all.

The first photograph was taken in Pearse Street on 10 April 2012.

These cyclists are walking their bicycle in the photo, but a moment before they were cycling in front of me. The guy, as you might have noticed, is using a Viking helmet, as he did while he was cycling.
A Viking helmet can be a good idea if you are a Nordic warrior who comes to enslave the locals. It's far less effective as a cycling safety feature.