Bike helmets are promoted as critical to rider safety. For time when falls are imminent threats (kids, races), that might true. But should you be forced to carry a helmet every time you hop on the bike? With bike shares popping up in cities everywhere, this is maybe not as stupid as it sounds. Aside from the libertarian position that you should be able to decide whether or not you want to wear a helmet, if you want to take a one-way bike trip, carrying a helmet can be a pain. As a cyclist I wear my helmet most of the time, especially on rides where I can reach fast speeds, or on roads with car traffic. Just running an errand in the neighborhood? Sometimes I leave the helmet at home.