Wear A Bicycle Helmet, Please!



                             
I wanted to write this in late spring but I never got around to it. One day in May, I was riding and I was fiddling with my phone because my music wasn't working, I lost control of my bike and fell down and hit my head on the grass. I wasn't hurt and I immediately jumped up and rode back to my car.

The next day, I felt sore in my shoulder because I hit the ground with it first and then my head. I didn't start having a headache until Saturday, two days after the accident.  I decided to go to urgent care and the doctors gave me an MRI or Cat Scan, I don't remember. Anyway, I was fine, no bleeding in the brain.  The doctors told me I was fortunate because I had my helmet on. It could have been more serious.

I started biking in 1995 and never wore a helmet. My girlfriend would get on me all the time about that and I finally saw the light in 1996. I was biking with my girlfriend on the lakefront in Chicago and we came upon a bike accident. 

The bicyclist who was wearing a helmet was being taken away by ambulance after falling down on the bike path. A group of children ranging from mid-teens and as young as six were watching by the side of the path. As we rode past, the six-year-old looked up and pointed to us and said, "She's smart and she's STUPID".  Out of mouths of babes right, I was embarrassed and I told my girlfriend who was smirking, "I guess I should buy a helmet".

Years later, I told to story to my client who was support staff at a rehab clinic and she said the little boy told you right.  She said, "Do you know how many people at the clinic have to learn how to walk and talk all over again because they weren't wearing a helmet". My eyes got big as saucers and that was so scary. I guess the little kid did save my life.

I am telling you this because if you ride a bike or any family member or friend rides without a helmet, please tell them my story.  It might save your life or theirs.

Check out some of these helmets if you don't have one and do you ride a bike without a helmet?


Comments

  1. Great reminder to wear a helmet. Of course, I wear one! I'm a nurse practitioner and I preach this all day long! I've hit the ground a few times too. I always tell my patients that you can fix a broken bone but not a broken brain...Humpty Dumpty and all that...

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  2. Yikes, what a scary encounter, and a great reminder about the need to wear a helmet while out biking.

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  3. As a kid back in the day, helmets weren't even a thing. As an adult since I've had my road bike, which is 10+ years now. I wouldn't think of going out without it. Just yesterday I almost hit a young cyclist who decided to ignore the stop sign and fly across traffic. And a minute later three motorists decided to completely ignore the "Yield to pedestrains" sign at the light and continue to make a right on red while this poor maybe 11-year old girl was trying to cross on her bike. Sorry I'm ranting. It's just so dangerous out there and people simply do not know the rules of the road.

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  4. Very good reminder. My son just crashed his bike this weekend - it was my post yesterday. I'm glad he was wearing a helmet because the impact was primarily shoulder and face/head. We were pacelining about 18mph, too. http://destinationcortina2014.blogspot.com/2015/08/a-crash-and-mom-guilt.html

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  5. In Florida it is a law that children under 12 wear helmets and I can't tell you how many kids I see riding without one. I know, we went around with it as kids, but our parents also smoked while pregnant. Now we know better. Just wear a darn helmet if not for your sake, for the sake of everyone who loves you. great post. thanks.

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  6. I won't ever ride without my helmet. I see so many bike commuters in NYC riding without a helmet and just can't understand why. It's so dangerous, especially in a big city where you have to dodge other bikers, walkers, cars and pigeons!

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  7. I grew up riding a helmet on my bike - I wasn't ever allowed not to, so it never crossed my mind not to.
    I also grew up riding horses and the number of people I see without helmets terrifies me. It's really never worth it. Ever.

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  8. Thank you for sharing this! I think it's so important to ride helmets. I never used to, but once I started taking my bike out on busier roads I was too afraid to not wear one. Now I wear one even if I'm heading out on smaller trails. I'm glad you were okay!

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  9. Oh, I feel extremely strong about this. I'm an ICU nurse and I can't tell you how many kids I've seen with horrible head injuries from not wearing helmets. They can truly save your life!!

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  10. Oh, I feel extremely strong about this. I'm an ICU nurse and I can't tell you how many kids I've seen with horrible head injuries from not wearing helmets. They can truly save your life!!

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  11. Such great reminder!! I am a helmet nazi and so glad you are sharing this with others!

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