Beez

I had a similar accident on one of the paths that I ride on. Took a header into a very large square fence post(see my post in the Introductions forum for details). Although I was wearing a helmet, the impact knocked me silly; I shudder to think what would've happened had I not been protected.

The funny thing is that was the first time I had worn a helmet while riding that trail. So much for "safety in bike paths"...

daver42

Wow, I'd say damn lucky.

mikdes

We lost a bike messenger here in Portland a couple weeks ago. I couldn't get the link to work, so here are the details.

Bike Messenger Dies After Collision With Semi Truck

Crash Details Not Clear

PORTLAND -- A bicycle messenger was fatally wounded this week in a collision with a semi truck in downtown Portland.

Police say 24-year-old Kristine Okins was in the bike lane on Southwest Broadway Monday morning when the wreck occurred.

Witnesses told police that the truck and bicycle were stopped at the light at Washington Street. As the light turned green, both continued southbound, and the bike sped ahead. About 150 feet past the intersection, a witness saw Okins and her bike under the wheel of the truck. The truck had not turned its wheels or changed lanes.

Coworkers told KOIN News 6 that Okins was conscious after the crash and called them to report the incident. She was taken to Oregon Health and Science University, where her condition worsened. She died Tuesday before investigators could speak with her.

Anyone with information was asked to call the Portland Police Bureau at (503) 823-2103.

No charges were initially filed against the truck driver. Police say he was not impaired.

Okins' coworkers described her as an outgoing and determined woman.

A fund was established to help the family with funeral expenses. Donations can be made to the Kristine Okins Memorial Fund at U.S. Bank branches.

This just happened today. Talk about lucky!

dahvaio

It sucks he died but it is his own freakin fault. Helmets should always be worn because of the idiotic drivers and other random events. Of course there are things that can happen that no matter what you do, it cannot be prevented. However, wearing a helmet is something that is controlled by the rider and forgoing it is just plain unreasonable.

DesertRoller

I had a scare this past weekend. I went out for about a 30-35 mile ride & stopped at my usual spot on this particular route. I rested the bike against a pole, and went to take my helmet off. It wasn't there! I had gone 15 miles not realizing I hadn't put it on. I had a skull cap on & that may have had something to do with it - I felt something up there so I figured I was ready to go. On the way back, a stoplight at the bottom of a small hill kept me from hitting the 30 mph I often do there. Needless to say, I was praying most of the way home. Hope I never do that again!

Dahon.Steve

I can relate happend to this person. I got lucky not too long ago and was in a similar situation this winter while riding without a helmet. A couple of kids where in the street tossing a football when one of them ran into me while trying to catch the bill. I hit the ground hard since it was my first day wearing clips! The pain was incredible but I was lucky there were no parked car next to me or my head would have hit it for sure.

I think what could have saved this rider is a bell. Seriously. On my group ride, the leader is CONSTANTLY ringing that bell to ward off stray riders and warn others that we are coming! It works very well and I keep forgeting to buy one because they look strange but after reading this post, my helmet will forever stay on. I'm buying 3 bells for my bikes after work this evening. I don't care how bad it looks. Calling "On Your Left" often times makes the situation even worse. Please folks. Get the bell.

alanbikehouston

I almost ALWAYS wear a helmet. But, yesterday, I needed to ride just six blocks to the bus stop, and I did not want to leave a helmet strapped to the bike at that particular corner (a hang-out for kids, who would mess with a helmet just to mess with it).

So, I slow down at an intersection to turn left. I'm in the center of a two lane road. Just as I begin to turn left, a guy on a bike passes me, ON MY LEFT. He was riding on the wrong side of the road. He was coming from behind me, so he could see EXACTLY where I was, and exactly what I was doing. He missed hitting me by a foot, speeding by at about 20 mph.

I'm guessing his thoughts were: "I'm going 20 mph, so I will ride around this slow poke and not have to slow down, or move to the right". And, "deep thinking" like that gets people killed.

So, now, I'm going to use my helmet, even to ride six blocks. Between my own mistakes, and the mistakes made by the endless supply of idiots riding bikes in my neighborhood, I'm gonna need it.

Dahon.Steve

There's a part of that bike route where the ground has multiple bumps caused by some obstruction from underneath the road. It's so abrupt that I nearly lost control and quite a few cyclists are aware of the situation. It's not as safe as some people think.

Laggard

$10 says someone hauls out the "helmet nazi" label soon.

Nam

I couldn't see his face because his face was down, but the head and hair style looked pretty similar. Couldn't see his back either since he was wearing a shirt.

I'm not against the idea of "always wearing helmet", but for those who don't know, the lane is dedicated bike lane and seperated from the highway, so even if a car want to kill you, it can't. I'd say this is the most unfortunate death because it's almost impossible to die in such a safe enviroment like that. There were about 30 bikers standing there watching, and I counted about 5 of them having a helmet.

And reading beez's post above, his head was smahing into "large square fence post".

AroW

Its like smoking

A lot of people do it even though they would be better off without it, but its their choice. The world would be bland if everybody was the same /

slvoid

"Witnesses say that the cyclist was wearing headphones at the time of the incident. They also say that the impact knocked the man unconscious but he was awake when emergency personnel arrived."

I dunno... unless you're wearing in ear monitors or had the volume up to max, I doubt you can miss the fact that a TRAIN was heading for you. Man, people are just plain stupid sometimes.

Metieval

sometimes it is just your time to go.....

Everyman has an appointed time to be born, and appointed time to die. It is sad to see someone die or to hear about it, but it happens daily.

I honestly think and believe that seatbelts, airbags, and helmets hurt more people than they save!!!

the reasons, people lower their guard while feeling safe and then they do stupid things.


How many car accidents could and WOULD be avoided if the driver knew there was a spike in the steering wheel that would pierce their heart if they crashed? How many bike accidents could be avoided if people knew they was going to get decapitated if they crash? Yes, I am aware that some accidents will still happen and can't be avoided, but I am talking about the ones that can.

Anyways my reason for a helmet is I am bald and a road rash scar on my head would look like crap. LOL

The road rash on my shoulder is bad enough!!! and yes even it could have been avoided. I had a bet going to how fast I could ride around the block. I took off and did the state route direction first. I sprinted for a bit and then backed off a bit. Call it bad timing but I had planned to make my first left turn in a very large sweep. But a car had came up behind me, I thought I would be nice and take the yellow line and let the car pass me on the right......... sharper corner!! steeper I laid the bike down, WHAM pedal hits the ground rear tire comes up and Im flat faster than Chit!! hands never had time to let go of bike so they was smashed between handlebars-pavement and my shoulder was the first to hit.

Bets are stupid, racing on the roads that isn't marked for a race is stupid, being nice to a car (ummm nice but wasn't necessary) being distracted because of a car... good BUT I learned my lesson that I am not multi tasked thinker. anyways the accident could have been avoided

thewalrus

In september of last year, I had a crash at about 30km/h, wearing a helmet, where I landed on my chin and slid. 8 nasty stitches, a bad concussion and a big scar later, I'm glad I was wearing a helmet. In this particular crash my head's initial point of contact with the road was my chin, but if I'd landed differently and without a helmet, it could have been a MUCH more serious crash.

There is a guy who rides around in downtown vancouver rush hour traffic with no helmet AND listening to an ipod. I've seen him doing it more than a few times.

STEVO820

i never EVER pass a kid at fast speeds. i had so many close calls with kids that i just give up. i love the fact that parents spend time with their kids outside of the house learning how to ride. but when they are barley keeping it on the road that is not good at all. the first thing i say to anyone about the trails is "when you see kids hit the brake" it sucks because you lose all your momentum but you know right when they are next to you they are going to dip to far over and clip you.

i admit i dont wear my helmet but i also ride very cautiously now and i anticipate a lot of things. if you ride a motorcycle you get the same way. you watch everything that is going on around you the weather, people, cars, roads. sorry to hear it and hopefully he is in a better place.

sounddevisor

The story about the dead cyclist in Brookyln really freaked me out, because I just met him about two weeks ago, riding on the bike path by Shore Road where he was killed. We met because we were passing some pedestrians at the same time, and I said something to him about what a pain it is when people on the bike path don't pay attention. We ended up riding together for a few miles and chatting, and I remember saying to him that the thing that scares me the most is the little kids who dart around totally unpredictably.

I also remember thinking to myself that he ought to be wearing a helmet, which he wasn't. I don't like to get in other people's business about stuff like that usually, but now I really wish I had! Who knows if it would have changed anything, but maybe it would have made him think for a second about putting one on.

I have been in several accidents over 25 years of riding, including one which I definitely would not have survived if I hadn't been wearing a helmet. Please, people, always wear a helmet when you are on your bike. Accidents can happen at ANY speed, and as this story shows motor vehicles don't have to be involved for things to become fatal. Modern helmets are light and comfortable, please don't make the mistake of valuing some small degree of comfort over your life. I am going to this guy's wake on Thursday, and I would hate to have to do the same for someone else I might meet out on the roads.

stay safe,
-sounddevisor

mikdes

A few people in Portland have been hit by our "MAX" trains because they couldn't hear them. Uhh... plus they weren't paying attention. Some have made it and some, infortunately, have not.

I used to take MAX to work daily. It's more of a light rail system. They're really pretty quiet and I can see how if someone's mind was elsewhere that they could fail to hear the train. That doesn't excuse anything, but they are quieter than one might think.

Crayon

Terrible loss, god bless his soul, may he rest in peace.

Everyone probably already knows this, but just in case...
Bike helmets are only designed for low speed impact during minor accidents. They will not protect you at higher speeds or impacts with motor vehicles. A bike helmet only provides a minor degree of protection, never assume that it will protect you in all situations.

Wearing a helmet is a personal decision and I believe it should remain so. I choose to wear one and thank God I've never actually needed it.

PriO

Hey Nam and Slvoid, its been awhile

I usually dont bother to go past the bridge when im at Shore road because the lanes after it are way too narrow to manuver around people.

phinney

I really wish the people that think it's stupid to ride without a bicycle helmet would either stop riding or get real helmets. Bicycle helmets offer only a very limited amount of protection. Cyclists that actually expect to crash, like BMX stunt riders, don't wear bicycle helmets because bicycle helmets are inadequate even in the low speed crashes they experience.

Please stop kidding yourselves about the safety provided by a typical cycling helmet. And especially stop preaching about how safe you are and how stupid everyone else is.

I fully support anyone that wears a bike helmet. It's a great idea. There is probably an impact level were even a bicycle helmet will do some good. However, there are much safer helmets available. You've picked your level of protection and have to deal with the consequences. Please let the rest of us do the same.

tribe3

At last some sanity in this thread

TexasGuy

This is one of those situations where the person is talking on the cell phone through the intersection. If you see kids running or playing on the the street, you need to literally slow down and make sure that they are aware of you. If not or you do not wish to then you need to unclip and come to a stop.

Sometimes its necessary for people to use their head instead of relying on a piece of metal to protect it.

TexasGuy

Again a case of people not using their head.

perbert

That would be the one. Below is another link from Keith's blog (he blogged A LOT). Kinda shows that this was the typical riding style for him. I'd known him since 1998, and it fit with his general approach to life. What a loss, he was a damn good guy...

https://www.nootrope.net/blog/2005/06/riding-season.html

pgoat

yes.

I used to wear my helmet only when mountain biking, never on the road (smart, huh?) out on Long Island. More recently I wore it when commuting in rush hour Manhattan traffic, but not when cruising round the hood (Queens).

After all the recent accidents (Including a thankfully minor one I had - which involved my helmeted head scraping the street), I wear mine ALL THE TIME.

Some quick rides to the store, bank, etc I am tempted to skip it but I make the effort and wear the lid. I'd like to save what I can just in case. You can crash just as easily in one place or situation as the next.