helmets are not optional

[Trek420]

Folks, along with the normal crew of Darwin Award recipients the spike in gas prices is bringing a lot of newbies out. Some just took the bike down from the garage and thought "here, this will save me a buck or two".

Let's give 'em a break.

Offer suggestions "your helmet is on backwards, can I show you how to put that on?" Worst we can do is yell at 'em which just adds to the whole "cyclists are elitests" thing and may just scare them so much they fall over.

Some may keep riding, that's a good thing.

I sometimes use the "big smile, point at helmet, pat the head" jesture.

OTOH, when my neighbors 70's French-threaded fully lugged steel Motobecane stoped working because they did not pump the tires and they abandon it on the bulk waste pick up in my condo complex, I did not offer "here, let me show you how easy this is"

I'll let them go replace with a box store bike and then we'll educate them from there ;-)

[Grog]

I sometimes can't help it, I just like irony too much sometimes:

"Cool bike! Nice helmet." as I pass someone without a lid on on the road.

[Trek420]

Me too, "nice job of calling out" when racers blow by me

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Me too, "nice job of calling out" when racers blow by me

I usually call after them- "Thanks for the heart attack!"

[crazycanuck]

Do you want the racers to ring their little bells as well

[OakLeaf]

A month or two ago I saw a family out riding. The little kid had her helmet in her front basket. In case a cop showed up, I supposed, same as they do on the motorcycles

Now you've made me remember that, I have to spend another couple of hours damping my outrage down.

-Oak, still alive because of the helmet I was wearing that day 21 years ago.

[OakLeaf]

Do you want the racers to ring their little bells as well

The little bell means "prime sprint." Ring their bells if they want me to kick their *sses on the way to the city limit sign!!!

[Mr. Bloom]

Riding with a new cycling buddy tonight. Busy road - crossing Railroad Tracks at an obtuse angle - requiring a cyclist to take the lane to cross safely.

We signaled. Took the lane - and some red neck tried to pass buddy on the right side.

He went down hard - hitting his head and CRACKING his helmet.

We got him home and I called a few minutes ago to confirm he's OK. Other than road rash and a little headache, he seemed fine His girlfriend is there in case some issue emerges...

Now I know at least two people (including Silver) saved by a helmet!

I will NEVER ride without a helmet!

Viva La Helmet!

PS: My regret??? Appropriately, I focused on getting to him...but if I got that license plate, I guarantee you I would have sworn a wreckless driving and vehicular assualt warrant on that driver!

[smilingcat]

Dear Mr. Silver,

I'm a bit of a klutz at times and I can tell you that the brain bucket saved my life on two separate occasions.

Yes thank goodness for the helmet.

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I did have a talk with a young man about wearing a helmet. We were standing and waiting for the light to turn green. He told me no need since he isn't riding like one of the racers. To him, I looked like a racer of sort.(okay so I'm decked out in full cycling gear sans CSC, Team Discovery... jersey. I wear "normal" jersey not even a kit). The light turns green, the young man trying to look like Joe cool starts up, mashes on his pedal to get in front of me and proceeded to jack knife his front wheel. Down he went. Oh poor boy.

I didn't want to add insult to his bruised ego, so I went on my cherry way.

I hope he has enough sense to buy a helmet.

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I say nothing to the ones without a brain. I just tap my helmet two or three times as I pass by.

Smilingcat