Just a Reminder!!!

So what you're saying is,

LIFE IS DANGEROUS!!!

Now get out and live it! Just make sure you wear the brand of lipstick that doesn't smear.

Biking IS dangerous...just ask my 9 year old. I'm taking her to an orthopedic surgeon at 1 pm today for the permanent cast on her fractured forearm from a crash last night....

And PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE wear your helmets folks! My older kids were babysitting when the crash happened, and no one was wearing helmets. Thank God I'm not at Children's Memorial right now. Thank you God they were on a bike path not a sidewalk where she could've fallen into the street. Just thank you, God.

My older kids, on the other hand, have been grounded for life.

I have to say... I have never had an accident on the bike, but after reading all the horror stories, I wore a helmet for the first time on my bike ride on Tuesday (I know, I know...). I felt so responsible! I am getting a new Tri bike in a few weeks and I'll be SURE to get a little pack to put my cell, some cash, and an ID in!!! Thanks again guys, for always looking out for your fellow triathletes!!!

Keep on truckin'!

The training starts young....

my seven year old has learned he's not even allowed to *touch* his bike or his razor unless he has his helmet on....that sounds too extreme but I'm dead serious and he knows it....now he picks out people who don't have their helmets on and we talk about it and I can't stress enough to him the importance of wearing helmets.....

when i see kids riding their bikes with the straps unhooked or people riding without their helmets it drives me absolutely crazy and 9 times out of ten I make a comment to them...my friends know if I see it, to duck b/c they're getting a lecture on how absolutely, positively STUPID it is not to wear helmets.....

there are a lot of things in life we can't control...getting hit by a bus, lightning, the weather, freak accidents, but it absolutely, positively boggles my mind past all comprehension when someone has the ability to control their destiny for the good and doesn't wear a FREAKIN HELMET!

Can you tell I"m getting worked up about it even now?

Thanks for the reminder, though...it's constant education that will keep peole smart and diligent.....

we've been known to stop and chastise neighborhood kids who don't have a helmet on, it drives my husband totally bonkers! Even our 14 yr old knows he better not get on his bike without a 'brain bucket' on. I've been thru too much with him to lose him because of something stupid like that!

Could_not_have_said_it_better_myself.....after having almost lost my son a few years back I'm not about to let something like a bike helmet take him away from me....

I have added my cell to the must have while out on long country rides.

As far as Lids are concerned, I have taken the it's cool approach with the kids I come in contact with. I say look if Tony Hawk and all the totally insane downhill and free style bike riders wear Lids then you should as well....

It seems to be working, Thank God.

Roy

I would not wear a helmet as a kid. I was at a picnic my Senior year of college, when a 8 year old came flying out from behind a building and flipped over the hood of a barely moving car. There was no way the car could have seen him. The kids parents were no where to be found and he didn't have a helmet on.
The kid was bleeding like crazy. It turned out he was OK after and ambulance ride, mild concusion and some stitches. The police who gave us the update - said that he would have walked away from the whole thing if he had been wearning a helmet.

The very next thing I did was go out and buy a helmet. I will not leave home without it now days if I am going ANYWHERE on my bike. Plus it is really cute! Baby blue with flowers.

Thanks for the great tips. This is but one of the many reasons I really enjoy this site. Everyone looking out for one another.

Fortunately had my cell with me this morning, as during my ride my rear derailleur got caught up in my spokes while shifting and I skidded to a halt. It was nice to be able to call my girlfriend to pick me up and wait under some shelter instead of carrying the bike home in the rain.

Hazards come in all forms. I live in the country and often ride the roads through and around the Kettle Morraine State Park. I've had to dodge deer on more than one occasion. The other day, two teenage boys ran out onto the road from a trailhead not watching where they were going. Then, my bad, I was going downhill enjoying the early morning ride and forgot for a moment that I was on a public road. I guess I irritated a the driver who passed my rather closely on a double yellow. I was definately in the wrong hogging the road.

Thanks for the thread LW!

I tried the Tony Hawke approach too. no luck, obviously.

This time, I told them if I caught them on thier bikes w/out a helmet I'll take the bikes to Goodwill (actually that was thier Dad's line, but I agreed wholeheartedly).

we'll do it too.