another good reason to wear a helmet

[bmccasland]

I got a email from my uncle that his son in Naples, FL crashed on his bike while riding home after going out to eat dinner with his wife earlier this week. Apparently there were no witnesses to the crash - guy on bike, solid mailbox, BOOM! Resident heard some racket and dailed 911.

My cousin is home after being in ICU with a skull fracture. According to my uncle, cousin was not wearing a helmet because "he didn't like the way it fit" (so get one that does!). Cousin is dealing badly with the head injury - vertigo, memory loss, short term memory problems. Hopefully he'll heal without residual problems. BUT my Aunt and Uncle are heading down there (they live in Illinois) to take care of the kids. (Cousin's wife recently had wrist surgery, not biking related).

So no crashed helmet to add to RunningMommy's collection. Instead, his skull took the brunt of the blow with a very solid mailbox.

[Python]

I wouldn't dream of going anywhere, even a short journey without my helmet on. I'd feel naked without it.

[KnottedYet]

Ditto!

[Tri Girl]

I'm sorry about his crash!!! I hope he heals quickly and recovers fully! That's why they make helmets. Makes me crazy to see people without one. Risking a head injury (or death) just isn't worth it. Hopefully he'll wear one, should he choose to ride again. Perhaps this will send a positive message to his children and wife to always put their safety first when riding.

[Melalvai]

This cyclist's head was run over by a truck...and he survived.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/05/15/man....ap/index.html

[Mr. Bloom]

We're believers too. I even go so far as to stop folks when they're wearing them too high on their forehead as well.

[bmccasland]

I'm sorry about his crash!!! I hope he heals quickly and recovers fully! That's why they make helmets. Makes me crazy to see people without one. Risking a head injury (or death) just isn't worth it. Hopefully he'll wear one, should he choose to ride again. Perhaps this will send a positive message to his children and wife to always put their safety first when riding.

Actually his wife was wearing her helmet, but she was ahead of him and not aware of the crash until at some point she realized he wasn't back there and turned around to look for him. The ambulance crew was working on him when she rolled up.

This particular side of my family is know for it's stubbornness

No further news from my Uncle on cousin's status. My head aches in empathy.

[Tri Girl]

The ambulance crew was working on him when she rolled up.

That would be a scary sight to come upon! I'm glad she was wearing hers! Knowing that- I can't imagine she'd let him out of the house w/out one in the future (we women can be...persuasive if need be ).

[Susan126]

This cyclist's head was run over by a truck...and he survived.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/05/15/man....ap/index.html

WOW, what a story! Thank goodness the guy was wearing his helmet. It saved his "head" but the helmet sure took a licking!

And you should replace your helmet every 2 or 3 years. The sun's UV rays break down the helmets cushioning material making it unsafe.

[wannaduacentury]

I got a email from my uncle that his son in Naples, FL crashed on his bike while riding home after going out to eat dinner with his wife earlier this week. Apparently there were no witnesses to the crash - guy on bike, solid mailbox, BOOM! Resident heard some racket and dailed 911.

My cousin is home after being in ICU with a skull fracture. According to my uncle, cousin was not wearing a helmet because "he didn't like the way it fit" (so get one that does!). Cousin is dealing badly with the head injury - vertigo, memory loss, short term memory problems. Hopefully he'll heal without residual problems. BUT my Aunt and Uncle are heading down there (they live in Illinois) to take care of the kids. (Cousin's wife recently had wrist surgery, not biking related).

So no crashed helmet to add to RunningMommy's collection. Instead, his skull took the brunt of the blow with a very solid mailbox.

How awful. I hope he heals quickly. That mailbox must have been one of those encased in brick or stone. {{Hugs to him and his family}}. Jenn