Cyclists - Wear a helmet!

[Mom]

Now I am going to act like a mother and/or wife to you cyclists! Earlier this year my husband was offered a job with great benefits. It was tempting but one benefit it didn't have was "short-term disability." I didn't want to rain on his parade but I told him that I wasn't afraid of cancer laying him low (even though he is battling bladder cancer), I was afraid of a bike accident. He went on and on about what a safe rider he is but he decided not to take the job, basically, because of that reason. Lo and behold, two weeks later, he came home pretty bloody with a cracked helmet. The road was wet, he rounded a corner and went down. He felt that the helmet really saved him from severe head trauma. A week later, he heard from a friend who ftangled with the bike ahead of him, went over the bike backward with the force of the hit on his buttocks, back and head. His head slammed into the pavement and he lost consciousness. Again, the helmet saved him from serious head trauma. Three weeks ago, while he was riding with a group of his friends, another accident, this time it was pretty bad. His buddy again tangled with the bike ahead of him, fell, fractured his pelvis and suffered a concussion and has short term memory loss. His helmet was cracked in three places. He is still in rehab and it will take him up to six months to recover. These are very experienced cyclists. Accidents do happen. Wear a helmet, carry a cell phone and quite frankly even though two of the accidents involved a fellow cyclist, I would prefer that Jay not ride alone. PS, he told me to have my cell phone on whenever he is on the road. Dianne

[Jay68442]

What timing for this post. I was at the local bike shop yesterday picking up my new bike and my wife got on me about getting a helmet. Of course I really didn't want one because I am vain. Yes that's right I didn't like the way I looked in it. Common sense prevailed and I purchased a helmet and wore it on my first ride this morning. Because of stories like the ones you told and others I have heard I will continue to wear my helmet.

[Already Bald]

Save your receipt for your helmet purchase, you may be able to submit it to your health insurance for reinbursement.
Thanks Mom.

[Mom]

Actually, depending upon the manufacturer of the helmet, if you send it back with a testimonial, they will send you a new one for $35.00. That is what Jay did.

[Karen]

Wow, Dianne! What bandaids do you use so I can buy stock?

[Scott]

Common sense prevailed and I purchased a helmet and wore it on my first ride this morning. Because of stories like the ones you told and others I have heard I will continue to wear my helmet.

Good, I've heard too many frightening stories about people who didn't.