I rant because I care. That’s what this Bicycle Helmet Safety rant is about today. I want to see people getting the best opportunities afforded to them whether it be with consumer knowledge to save money, save time, save being ripped off of save yourself getting hurt. At other times, I just want to vent so I can get someone thinking and maybe, just maybe, I help one person with my work. My ranting, if you will.
With that said:
Most days I ride my bicycle to work except on Friday’s in which I walk the long walk. And every day, most everyone I see on their bikes, don’t have helmets on and I ponder if worrying about this is worth it.
I Admit It
I’m a helmet snoot. I won’t acknowledge someone who’s not wearing a helmet. Sure, a helmet is not comfortable, but neither is brain surgery. Bicycle safety isn’t about being forced to do something. It’s about being prepared because that person who is texting on their cell phone isn’t looking up when you cross the street. It’s as simple as that.
Beyond that, it bothers me more to see adults riding their kids around and setting stupid examples to the kids. Yo: For a few bucks, you can take precautions that don’t put you in the statistics category.
Check it out:
Of the 540,000 REPORTED bicycle accident related emergency room visits every year,
- 67,000 are head injuries.
- Of those, 7,000 are serious enough for admittance to the hospital.
- Over 12% of those come away with brain injuries.
- 85% of those are preventable with a little Styrofoam helmet.
Bicycle helmets just don’t seem that pesky after looking at those numbers. Yea, it’s a bit hotter. Sure, it can look “dorky”. I’d rather look dorky than find myself looking at a medical bill, if I lived through a stupid accident.
2 quick tales:
1) A peer of mine was one of the sharpest, smartest guys people knew. After an accident on his bike, w/o a helmet, he’s lucky to be employed and if there was ever a lay-off, I’m not sure he’d get a job at McDonald’s. He’s different since that accident.
2) Back in high school, one of my friends hopped on a bike to go about a hundred yards when that fluke, “It will never happen to me” thing happened. His tire kicked out a small stone, the bike went down, he hit his head. A 6-week coma was no fun for family or friends. That’s for sure.
Sure, these are statistical flukes, but I’d rather not encounter a fluke myself.
Her’s something for the kids, from Amazon:
Info Source: www.helmets.org
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I agree with you and honestly don’t understand it either. As a parent it’s a simple rule: no helmet, no riding. And yes, we all grew up without them, and we survived, but as with seat belts in cars, we just know more now. And should act accordingly.
oh please, more big daddy government mandating what is safe. Thank you very much but I’d rather not live in a Judge Dredd world. You want to do it, great, do it. But forcing others too because you think it’s safer for them is crossing the line. LIFE IS RISK. WE ALL DIE. Let us choose how and what risks we feel are personally acceptable. It’s called PERSONAL RESPONSIBLITY. Your attitude is one of the key things wrong with America these days.
Hey AMAZED.
No one is making you wear anything so stay calm. I’m just pointing out that by wearing a 1/4 lb of Styrofoam can possibly prevent approximately 67,000 head injuries a year.
The only attitude here is you reacting to a statement that hasn’t been made.
I’m not saying you have to wear a helmet. In fact, please, feel free not to. In a round about fashion, I’m just pointing out the stupidity of not wearing a helmet when the numbers say it’s a better thing to do for one’s one safety and health.
Never mind the impact and stress caring for a debilitated loved one can be on a family. But that’s if you’re thinking of others rather than yourself.
My “PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY” is just letting people know. Nothing more.
And that’s what you call “key things wrong with America” …? By apprising people of a statistic????? … crickets …
Thanks for chiming in AMAZED.
And Jenny: more power to ya!
I can see the need for Helmet laws when it comes to children. As they don’t know what the reality of head trauma can bring.
I’ve personally been in many bike accidents and on at least one occasion (when I suffered the concussion) I wished I had worn one.
I support laws that insure children wear helmets. I don’t think that falls under the Orwellain Ministry of Safety.