Out and about this weekend, as summer finally hits us square in the sunglasses and flip-flops, I noticed while I was both on bike and in car, a huge increase in cycle-drawn baby carriages. Burleys, Croozers, In-Steps and other brands. Up front, on the bike, is Mom or Dad, usually on a department store hybrid, wearing sneakers and shorts, and almost universally sans helmet. In back, there’s a toddler (or two), and not once this weekend did I see one in a helmet. And I saw dozens.

Oh, sure. You’ve got your reasons for not putting a helmet on your child…

I’m a good/safe/experienced rider. People, I don’t care if Jens Voigt is the rider pulling my child in a trailer. If my kid is in one’a those contraptions, s/he’s wearing a helmet; so should yours.

But I’m going slow. So? Your kid’s noggin is about the same consistency as an over-ripe cantaloupe till s/he is a teenager. It doesn’t take much of an impact to do life-altering or –ending damage.

But, s/he is protected by the trailer. Yeah? One made of plastic, some aluminum tubes, and tent fabric. Guess what? Your kid’s head is on the exact same level with every car bumper, fire hydrant, stump, fence post, garbage can, bike wheel, and curb in the city. The only thing between that precious skull and a Buick’s license plate is some screen-mesh material. The only thing stopping the front wheel or the steel pedal of the bike piloted by the inexperienced rider behind you is a piece of nylon cloth.

S/he won’t wear a helmet. Know what? They make helmets so cool, your kid will beg to wear one. Unicorns, frogs, puppies, kitties, you name it, helmet manufacturers build it. There’s sure to be one your child will think is so fun they’ll even want to wear it to bed.

Look, I know you’re out for a quick ride, something fun for you and the kid(s). What I I want is for it to stay fun. I don’t want you in an ER room, praying to God your child survives — that your fun summer day turned into the worst hours of your life. Mom and Dad, I want you to take hundreds more bike rides with your kids, up through training wheels and someday, a first big-kid’s bike, not blaming yourselves the rest of your lives for taking a ride around the neighborhood without helmets.

Mom and Dad, you can decide whether or not you ride wearing a helmet. You’re adults, you have freedom of choice, and have the information available to make your own decisions. Your child isn’t/doesn’t — s/he depends on you to use your best judgment and do all in your power to protect him/her.

Bike crashes happen fast, out of nowhere, and usually, beyond your control. Just like life. But there are precautions. I’m hoping the one you take is purple with floppy puppy dog ears and whiskers, and it makes your child laugh as you buckle it on before s/he climbs into the trailer.