Don't be the bare-headed hipster riding down Eastern Parkway on a single-speed bike this weekend.
An initiative by the Brooklyn Public Library and the New York City Department of Transportation to hand out free helmets to riders of all ages Thursday afternoon, two days ahead of the library's branch-to-branch bike tour, means you have no reason to cycle unsafely.
The helmet giveaway kicks off at the library's central branch in Grand Army Plaza at 3:30 p.m. and ends at 6:30. Among the head gear supplied: new "Vision Zero" helmets provided by the Department of Transportation. (We've reached out to find out what exactly these look like, and we'll update you when we find out.)
The Brooklyn Public Library really hopes you'll wear your new helmet to its fundraising "Bike the Branches" event Saturday, which drew 1000 riders last year. Participants who visit the most branches, collecting stamps in a "passport" at each one, win prizes.
You can register and buy tickets here. Tickets cost $20 for adults, $10 for kids ages 16 and under and seniors, $40 for families and $150 for teams of 10 cyclists.
