[wechelle]

I crashed in a race this summer and cracked my helmet on the side that impacted the road and the opposite side that didn't touch the road. I still haven't really figured that one out yet, but it definitely saved me from serious head injuries. I frequent Grant's Trail at least a couple times a week to get off the craziness of the road and almost always see people without helmets. Maybe they think it is OK since they aren't on a busy road, but the trails are often more dangerous than the roads considering potentially hazardous things like unattended kids, dogs on leashes that block the entire path, etc. I've been tempted to say something but never have since I don't really know if that is considered appropriate or not. Maybe a simple point at my own helmet would suffice?

[live2beoutside]

wechelle, on 05 October 2009 - 01:01 PM, said:

. . .I frequent Grant's Trail at least a couple times a week to get off the craziness of the road and almost always see people without helmets. Maybe they think it is OK since they aren't on a busy road, . . . I've been tempted to say something but never have since I don't really know if that is considered appropriate or not. Maybe a simple point at my own helmet would suffice?

Many people think that they don't need a helmet if they aren't going fast. What they don't understand is that speed isn't really relevant - a fall from a bicycle at a standstill can still cause sufficient force to be fatal if one strikes their head.

I've given up trying to educate people with regard to wearing helmets, riding on the correct side of the road, using lights at night, etc . . .I find that most people will be instantaneously defensive and/or downright obnoxious when you point out the potential danger in their behaviours, regardless of how polite you are when you do so. My last attempt was a few years ago when I casually remarked to a couple of joggers - who were running with their backs to traffic, in the dark on a major highway, with no shoulder - that it was very hard to see them in the dark and they might consider some reflective - or at least brighter - clothing. Their response was basically (explictive removed) and mind my own business. . . from then on, I decided to let the Darwin Awards System be self-governing . . .

[forumhandle]

1 thousand words. (Scroll to post # 155.)

[threefingerjoe]

I think my helmet did me some good, today, when I was struck by a car in South St. Louis. Once your body hits the ground and stops, there is no way to keep your head from slamming into the ground.

I'd also like to take the opportunity to thank the kind soul who chased down the hit-and-run driver, and scared him into returning to the scene of the crime, and then called the police for me!

Soooo....does anyone have an old Trek 7xxx series frame that I can swap my remaining good components onto?

[rfrench]

My helmet saved my noggin last year at Castlewood. Always a good idea.

[pip]

I went over the bars on that log that goes across lone wolf near the last switchback. I hit a tree I couldn't put my arms around head first. Helmet broke in about 6 pieces. I walked away and got to buy a new lid. Much better than the alternative of eating through a straw the rest of my life.

To add, I see a lot of kids in my neighborhood wearing helmets but doing so in the wrong fashion. I'll usually approach the parents and explain to them the helmet isn't going to do any good for the front of their head (where most impacts occur) if it's sitting on the back. Sad thing is I used to be able to say "wear it like a baseball cap" can't do that any more with these darned kids and their sideways flat billed hats...

[rudy aka 'maninblak']

hey joe, hope your ok. any injuries?

[tangem2]

Wearing a helmet sucks...until you need it...then you realize how dumb you were to ever ride without one.

[threefingerjoe]

Rudy,

Yes, I'm fine, thanks for asking. Just the normal bumps and contusions that come from falling off a bike. He didn't actually hit me, he hit the bike. Bent wheel, bent seatstay, broken lights. I still got off lucky, I guess. But, as I said, you can't stop your head from slamming into the ground after you fall. Unlike Conan O'Brian's recent fall on the elevated stage, concrete doesn't "give". Like Woody Allen said in "Sleeper"..."MY BRAIN?! That's my 2nd favorite organ!"

[hard96]

I saw a girl yesterday bout 10yo go down at an intersection,,,and my first thought was that girl doesn't even have a helmet on! reminded me of a story from my wifes youth, in 3rd grade a friend of hers bumped her head on a curb without a helmet in a bike wreck...nobody had a concern till the next day when she did not wake up.
I really think its your own choice, but I don't want to ride with you, if you can't wear a helmet.
and Please get your kids in the habit of wearing a helmet!