Thursday, January 4, 2007
public service announcement
This morning I was riding to work and saw a girl sprawled in the street, face down, after getting hit by a cab while riding her bike. She was not moving and I honestly thought she was dead. Eventually she started moving a bit but was in a lot of pain; she was only moving her arms and everyone was just waiting for the paramedics. and you know why I thought she might be dead? Because she wasn’t wearing a helmet. Wear your damn bike helmet and be safe, people, it’s not that hard and no one cares how you look. This is especially disconcerting since a certain casual Viking was hit by a car yesterday, and also wasn’t wearing his helmet. Thankfully he’s fine but geez people, just do it. I started wearing my helmet regularly because I got sick of lying to my mom, who asked me if I wore a helmet every time I told her I was riding my bike (yes, even though I’m 25). Now I wear it because I know people getting killed while biking is not something your pediatrician said to scare you, it happens. According to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute (seriously) even the safest riders can expect to crash every 4,500 miles. Careening through major thoroughfares at rush hour cuts that mileage number significantly. Clearly getting blindsided by a cab is going to do some damage with or without a piece of plastic on your head, but a good hair day seems a small price to pay for avoiding head trauma.
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January 4th, 2007 at 10:42 am
yes! i hate helmets but i guarantee one ’seeing sounds, hearing colors’ concussion will change your mind. plus there have been lots of cyclists killed in the city this year. there was a ride last night to raise awareness and memorialize a horrible list of people killed in bike / car collisions last night even.
January 4th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
Helmets are no joke. Last June a car turned right in front of me. I slammed on the brakes and flew over my handle bars superman-style. I broke both my wrists in several spots and screwed up my ankle. Thank goodness I was wearing a helmet at the time - if not, I would surely be dead. Seriously. Or at the least drain bamaged.
January 4th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
ask the Wife if you need one or to check to see if your helmet is the right fit. the hospital gives deals on helmets and the brain injury team goes out to fairs/festivals all the time to do fittings. coincidence i think not.
January 4th, 2007 at 6:43 pm
Anyone who doesn’t wear a bike helmet should spend a day with me at work treating drooling brain injured people who can’t talk or eat or walk. Bike helmets - $10 at the trauma office, Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge.
January 4th, 2007 at 8:39 pm
ditto from the er. we weren’t designed to lead with our heads that way. you’ll be glad you did. stop making it an option and just do it. this is the dr talking for crying now now!!
January 5th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
i got some xtras if you need em. well at least one anyway.
January 5th, 2007 at 6:47 pm
I love you guys. Happy New Year!