scotjonscot

Just had some sad news from one of my best friends; her brother was in a cycling accident, hit his head on a curb and is now in a coma. Apparently massive brain swelling with a very poor prognosis. He wasn't wearing a helmet and I don't know what difference it would have made, but I doubt it would have made things worse. I don't always wear my helmet, but maybe I'll start. At any rate, stay safe!

RobbieTunes

NC State Director of Mental Heath Services, killed on the 4th on his bike. Hit from behind by a logging truck.

Careful, everyone, especially as the heat can sap your attentiveness.....

bobotech

My wife suffered a massive hemorrhagic stroke about 7 years ago. Ever since her recovery, she has been a part of our local brain injury support group. There are a fair amount of people in there who are victims of not wearing helmets.

One girl is only about 22 and was riding her bike and hit a curb and went face first into the ground and ended up losing ALL her memories. Long recovery for her.

I always wear my helmet.

randyjawa 

I hate my helmet, every time I wear it, and I wear it every time I ride!

I am absolutely convinced that my helmet saved my life, in 2002, when I took a serious header over the bars, flipping the bike, and crushing my helmet flat. Broke my neck in two places, had to stand up to fend of three robbers (they ran away as soon as I stood up) and then carry my bike, up a steep bank and over a guard rail, so that I could seek help from passers by.

My neck still hurts.

bikemore 

That sounds rough Randy.

I've hit my helmet twice and I don't know how much difference it made, but it could have only been worse if I had no helmet - both times going over the handlebars, but not hitting hard.. Had someone try to convince me that helmets were of absolutely no use. I mentioned I've had personal experience with a helmet making a difference - he didn't seem impressed.

Myosmith

Sorry to hear about those who were injured. Prayers for them and their families.

It's unfortunate, but true that helmets cannot prevent all head injuries, but they do help. Even if they don't prevent an injury entirely, they often decrease the severity. I wear a helmet every time I ride though I realize that there is just so much I can ask from it in an accident.

MetinUz

A friend of mine was found unconscious by the road while descending Mt Diablo couple weeks ago. After spending a few days in the hospital he still has symptoms, but should make a full recovery. I would hate to think what would have happened without a helmet.

Bianchigirll 

Glad to hear your friend's brother will be OK. I never leave the house without my helmet, well with the bike atleast. I just have to laugh everytime I see a bicycleist or a motorcyclist riding down the road with a helmet on the bars or strapped to the seat. Idiots!! If you have it wear it.

cbuddy2005

A friend of mine once said " those who don't wear a helmet have nothing to loose upstairs anyway."
Wear the helmet! I work in a trauma hospital, in surgery--wear your F'ing helmet or stay on the couch!
I won't get near a bike without mine--more afraid of my wife and daughter being pissed than anything
I tell my kids--everything you see is tougher than you! The ground, that tree, this pencil, that clipboard--everything can hurt you so watch your a$$ and be careful, not stupid. Because IT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU--ya' think your special? Charmed? Lucky? Smarter? A better rider than that person that got hurt? More experienced? BULLSPIT!! Everybody crashes, everybody.

I am truly sorry about the accidents and those who got injured, I hope the best for all. Let's all think about them and try not to become a post on a website by one of our friends/lovedones because we decided one day that is was a short ride and didn't think a helmet was necessary. We all need every advantage we can get out there!

ScottRyder 

My sister's arm, last Thursday after an event on the Cape Cod Rail Trail. 4 days in Boston's Brigham's and Women's Hospital. One surgery down, another to go in the near future. The EMT who attended to her described the rail trail as a "blood bath" during the crowded summer months. It's a multi-use path but the multi-users aren't getting along. I won't blame the trail, it could have happened on any local road.

Of course, helmets were worn, she (and I) were lucky. My best wishes and prayers to all of the above cyclists.

Scott

Muttleyone

Prayers sent. I hate my helmet but I wear my helmet.

Mutt

prathmann

Moderators:

Please move this discussion to "The Helmet Thread" in A&S. It is not specific to C & V.

shnibop 

Only crash I've ever had was on my 1985 Schwinn Peloton, went over the handlebars, slid on my head for about 10'. Busted my knees and shoulder up on the way down. Helmet saved my face and probably much more.

Now it's allowed in the C&V section

jimmuller 

I started wearing a helmet when the Bell Biker came out. Now, that is real C&V! I still wear a helmet but now it's a modern Giro.

ScottRyder 

yea, and most of us are old enough to be C&V. Keep the thread here, it's a good topic for any forum.

Scott

jon c. 

Not sure how much good those old leather strap helmets were, but I wore one faithfully after a bad header in the 70s. When I returned to riding after many years, I was glad the helmets were much better.

Paramount1973 

Moderators, leave the thread where it is. The helmet thread in A&S is a swamp of denial infested by anti-helmet zealots.

prathmann

Which is exactly why this crap belongs there. That thread was specifically intended to leave all the discussion of that type in one place rather than have it permeate all the other sub-forums.

scotjonscot

Crap? I merely wanted to wish all of my like minded(when it comes to choices in bikes) BF members a safe ride.

tremolo1965

+1. I broke a car windshield from the outside while riding in the bike lane when I was 15, sans helmet. Took years to get my focus back, and skipped med school (I'd been accepted). I don't like helmets, but I wear them now.

xPavlisx

Sad news, I hope your friend's bro is ok.

Some years ago my older brother passed away due mainly to head injuries from falling over in class and hitting his head on the edge of his desk, head injuries are tricky, horrible, unpredictable things.

I was riding to work on Thursday and ended up going over the hood of a car who's driver didn't look before pulling out of a side street in front of me, I was glad my helmet hit the ground and not my head (and glad I was on my commuter and not something I can't replace!).

Helmets sure look stupid, but sometimes they can make the difference. Ride safe everyone.

prathmann

My comment was not directed at your OP which was pretty neutral. But like minded when it comes to choices in bikes doesn't imply like minded on a host of other issues, some of which are known to result in rather contentious discussions. That's why there are separate sub-forums to discuss things like the desirability of carrying firearms while riding, whether we should support 'ObamneyCare' (or whatever one wants to call it), and whether we should all wear a helmet every time we're near a bike but almost never at other times.

None of these topics is related to whether a person has an interest in older bicycles and therefore they shouldn't be the focus of a thread in C&V.

acoffin 

Why are you bringing the hate? The post is a healthy reminder for people like myself that spend all of their time in this forum alone. I don't wear my helmet every time I ride, but I'm glad there are folks here reminding me why I should. If you don't like the subject matter, don't read the post!

Rx Rider

prathmann makes a good point, just because the "anti-helmet" zealots are in A&S doesn't mean it's okay to be a "pro-helmet" zealot here. I for one would love to wear a helmet that would actually work but I would look silly wearing a full-face MOTORCYCLE helmet. and as many love to point out everything I do is image driven.

buldogge

Older bicycle or not...wear the d-a-m-n helmet.

I destroyed (2) Giro Prolights in the last 12 months...

1) Solo accident on my '95 Batavus Pro sprinting hard and hit a pothole/depression while in the drops...over the bars...helmet crushed at base of skull...slight headache...continue down the road to my volunteer time at my son's school (complete with destroyed kit and some scraped componentry. )

2) Lady decided I was invisible and made a right turn straight thru me (Y in road)...I was on my '89 Pinarello which was luckily unharmed (minus some scrapes on hoods/pedals/saddle corner)...took a dive...helmet crushed at base of skull...continued onto work...another destroyed kit, and $150 Oakleys (gift from LBS/buddy)...slight headache, serious rash on right azz/leg.