We all know helmets are an important part of safety in bike riding.  In Vancouver, they’ve even made it law.  But there are still those persisting in forgoing these lifesavers in the name of comfort and fashion.

Enter: Prohab Helmet Society. Prohab aims at dispelling those anti-helmet reservations and showing that safety should always be #1.  Founded in 2009, Prohab is a non-profit society that supplies helmets to those who don’t have access or may otherwise refrain from wearing one.  They partnered with local company MACE to provide quality pieces priced just right for your budget.

Dustin Bromley and Renee Le Page founded the society after a cycling accident left their friend with a brain injury.  Inspired by the tragedy, they decided to tackle barriers to helmet use, including those persistent aesthetic arguments.  They’ve been using their large social network to support the society by hosting fund-raising nights at popular venues and creating a popular calendar.  The calendar features lady bicycle enthusiasts and is sold in local stores throughout the year. 

Here’s how Prohab works:  You apply for a helmet online by entering your name, size, etc.  They get a lot of requests, so you may have to wait a little bit.  They operate on a pay-as-you-can scale, so they’ll take any donation for your new helmet.  This is great news for people that may not be able to afford adequate head gear.  If you have some extra cash kicking around you can still use the service, but consider paying a fair price. Organizations like this need your support to keep afloat.

If you ‘re not sold, check out their website or blog for more info.  It’s a wicked local organization working locally for a good cause.

~ Meghan Roberts