Way back in my youth (before I got into distance running), I was a road bike racer. I always swore by my Giro helmet, as they were light, aerodynamic, cool, and strong and they offered replacements for when you were in wrecks (as you should always replace your helmet after a wreck, no matter how minor). If I ever get back into riding again, I’m going to buy another Giro, especially after reading this:
A white paneled delivery truck ran over a UW-Madison graduate student’s head on Division Street Friday afternoon and, except for a concussion, he wasn’t hurt.
[…]
“I didn’t see it coming, but I sure felt it roll over my head. It feels really strange to have a truck run over your head.”
His helmet, a Giro, was crushed, but Lipscomb’s head was fine.
Just a reminder to Oregon bike riders: If you’re under 16, state law requires you to have a helmet on, period. It annoys me to this day to see kids riding down the hills near my house stupidly fast without their helmets on. They’re going to eat it once and then regret it.
Comments
Bicycles are an extremely popular way of transportation here in The Netherlands. Next to any busy road there are special red-colored bicycling paths and the number of bicycles outnumbers the population of the country.
But surprisingly, helmets are not required. Even more surprisingly, very few accidents occur. This probably has to do with the fact that bicycles are considered equal to cars in traffic (concerning yielding and right-of-way).
When I lived in the U.S., I had the feeling that riding a bike was simply dangerous in general. Drivers don’t expect to encounter you, nor do they respect you at all. I wonder why that is.
Well, the under 16 helmet law never was in affect when I was under 16. I biked all over the place, and crashed and bit it bad. By all accounts, I should be dead.
I think I started wearing a helmet when I was 17. 😉 Now, I don’t ride without it.
One bad bonk on the head and your done. Not worth the risk.
Hmm, I have never worn a helmet and do not want to, they look bad.
Who wants to live until 90 anyway?
There weren’t helmet laws when I was a kid. I bit it hard. I have permanent brain damage that affects my short term memory. It is a huge pain and my ability to learn has been impaired. I have to read something about 200 times before it sticks. I wear a helmet if I ride now.