My message hit too close to home...

[Surlygirl]

Take him to the ER some Saturday afternoon. My mom use to work in the ER and man she could tell you stories that would make your hair stand on end. At my house, if the kids ride without a helmet, on anything, it disappears.

[winddance]

What an amazing little girl, to be able to stand up in front of her class and say that. That's such a sad story.

I used to sell motorcycle gear and accessories, and was a trained helmet fitter. In my state, a DOT-rated helmet is required when operating a motorcycle, but I know there are a lot of states out there that have more lax helmet laws.

I don't own a motorcycle, but after some of the accidents I have seen, I will never, ever ride my bicycle without a helmet. I'm so sorry that this little girl and others like her have lost a family member under these circumstances.

I couldn't believe the number of people who wanted to get away with the "bare minimum", not realizing that while they were willing to spend thousands of dollars on a motorcycle, they wouldn't spend a few hundred dollars on a high quality helmet that could save their life, or even just their ability to operate said motorcycle. Customers used to bring in their smashed up helmets after an accident, and from the look on their faces they hadn't really realized how much they needed their helmets until they needed their helmets. They are not just accessories.

[iFKA]

The story is very sad but thanx for sharing with us. Sometimes we all need something to shook us up. I'm shure no TE girl will leave the house today without helmet

[Melody]

Oh wow. That was sad and yeah, I'm crying.

It amazes me how often you see people doing stupid things on a bike... Last weekend I went out with a friend who was visiting the area (she was one of my bridesmaids) and so went over to another friend's house where she was staying. While travelling there, there was a woman riding towards me on her mountain bike and she didn't have a helmet. What *was* nutty (other than no helmet) was she also carrying a cup of coffee *AND* she was talking on her cell phone... all while riding in the opposite direction of traffic on her bicycle without a helmet.

She also then decided to cut across traffic and go on a side road. I just thought "She's an accident waiting to happen."

Mel

[iFKA]

It amazes me how often you see people doing stupid things on a bike...
Mel

She said it all... just for the record 172 km/h is 106,7 miles/hour

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...91478515007486

[Aggie_Ama]

Denise- How awful! I can't imagine the little girl standing up and saying that.

What amazes me is not only the people who ride with no helmet, but the ones who do not make sure they have a quality helmet. I constantly see people with helmets that are cracked or look like they are from about 1985. You will not find me putting my trust in a piece of equipment that isn't at 100%. I am not mistaken that our helmets should be replaced after so much time, am I? I know they definitely need to be replaced when they are cracked.

[Lise]

Good question. How often should we replace a helmet that is in good condition. No accidents, no cracks, but should they be replaced over time?