My message hit too close to home...

[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?

[makbike]

IMO, for what is worth, a helmet should be atop any head that is on something with wheels or legs (bike, ATV, skate board, roller blades, motorcycle, horse, etc). As was pointed out you never know when in a blink of an eye you will be involved in an accident. When I started riding back in the early 80's I visited a local bike shop to buy some goodies for the bike my brother had sold me for $12. The shop guy asked if I had picked out a helmet to which I replied no. He told me you can wreck your bike and replace it or just about anything on it but if your wreck your brain there is no replacement. I picked up a helmet that day and have never been on my bike without it perched proudly atop my head.

Last year one of our students (I teach in a middle school) was riding her ATV, a group of boys passed in going in the opposite direction on their ATV, she turned around to see who went by took her eyes off the road for just a second but it was long enough to change her life forever. Her ATV went down an embankment hit a rock she became airborne and smashed her unprotected head into a tree. She is now in a wheelchair, has trouble communicating and is one very sad young lady. Sadly, as we talked with our classes after the accident few if any saw a helmet as the most important thing they should own and use if riding a horse, an ATV, a bike, skateboard, etc. They feel they are immune to the same tragedy. I only wish they would open their eyes to the reality of the situation. Their classmate is a daily reminder of what can and does happen.