WEAR YOUR BIKE HELMET!!! IT CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE!!

weaklink109

Just have to post this tonight. Earlier today, against my better judgment, I agreed to attempt to ride a bike--something I have not done for about 10 years. I no longer have my own, but a neighbor has two. I have been putting him off due to no helmet, so what does he do, go out and BUY ANOTHER helmet!!

So, I decided to hedge my bets by putting on long pants and a long sleeved shirt, though it was about 80 degrees here today. I was fine until I tried to turn, went off the pavement into some grass and launch myself sideways off the bike in trying to get off of it without hitting the frame. I am short and even with the seat at its lowest setting, the bike is simply too tall for me. So I went flying, landing on my left side, where my head hit the pavement with enough force to knock me slightly spaced out for about 5 seconds. After checking all major body parts and not feeling anything broken, I became aware of the abrasions on my elbow and arm and left knee. They are much less than they would have been if I had been wearing shorts and a t shirt.

My biking partner came and untangled the bike from me and helped me up. I rode the mile back to my house thankful that I had ridden WITH that HELMET!! The state I used to live in, Oregon, requires all bikers to wear helmets, regardless of age. A great, life-saving idea, as far as I am concerned.

The state I now live in, Washington, doesn't have such a law. My city has a law requiring all bikers 16 and under to wear helmets, but I am appalled by the number of people who can't possibly be over 16 that I see biking with bare heads.

I rode for at least 10 years with a helmet and never was in a situation where I "needed" it. Today in a split second my whole life could have changed, but fortunately, it didn't <<<<WEAR YOUR HELMET!!!>>>
It beats recovering from a head injury!!

I have decided to stick to my original plan, which was no biking until I am about 30 lbs lighter than I am now.

Chenoachem

I have unfortunately watched many friends be saved from them and majorly injured from not having them. I always wear one cycling and rollerblading.

Hope you heal fast and that the incident does turn you off from cycling.

leann_m_olson

here here, Always where your helmet!! It's dangerous out there! :flowerforyou:

arewethereyet

My neighbor is the Bicycle Safety specialist in our county. He said he had a friend that was a biker-the kind that rides thousands of miles, and knows better.

One weekend this father of 2 was out for a leisurely bike ride in his neighborhood when a dog ran straight out an open front door. The dog hit his front wheel and was like a spike in the cog, sending him over the front end straight on the top of his head.

I wont go into gory details, but suffice it to say if he had his helmet on he would be with us today.

That is just one of 5 or so stories that I know.

I always thought helmets were to save you from injury if you get hit by a car, and really what good would they do then? The helmet is to keep your noggin from banging on the sidewalk, road or rock.

Great warning for the beginning of summer.

Everyone, wear your helmet!!

:glasses: and cheap sunglasses

alapointe

I am always angry when people tell me I am over cautious for putting helmets and pads on my daughter when she is riding her bike and i always tell them my story.

A co worker went for a bike ride with his son and made his son wear his helmet, but did not wear one himself. A car hit him and had massive brain injuries. He is no longer the same person and is more like a 5 year old today and cannot speak clearly. If only he had a helmet like he made his son wear he would be his self. It is so sad and while i don't ride a bike because of my back, i most certainly make my daughter.

weaklink109

Thanks for your expressions of concern and agreement. I am happy to report that despite my 55 years on this earth, I apparently still bounce well (guess it must be the extra padding:laugh: ) and I actually got up and worked for 5 hours starting at 5a today.:noway:

Other than the abrasion on my elbow and arm being a little tender, I am fine. This will not turn me off from biking in the future. It is just going to be on a bike that is the right size for me and when I am back to the weight I was when I was still riding, which is about another 30 lbs.

Happy rest of the weekend to all!!:drinker: I am going to a bar b que this afternoon.