General Discussion Triathlon Talk » stopped running to tell a fellow cyclist to wear a helmet... Rss Feed  
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2009-09-03 3:01 PM
in reply to: #2387652

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Subject: RE: stopped running to tell a fellow cyclist to wear a helmet...
Damn bunch of idiots ..............



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2009-09-03 3:29 PM
in reply to: #2387652

Extreme Veteran
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West Windsor, NJ
Subject: RE: stopped running to tell a fellow cyclist to wear a helmet...
Car weaving, cyclist wearing an Ipod or cyclist riding down the wrong side of the road are totally different situations. Those can affect you personally as they could cause an accident with YOU. Guy not wearing a helmet? I agree with those above that say to mind your own business. Why should I care? People make stupid decisions every day, I can't be the common sense police nor should I be.
2009-09-03 3:36 PM
in reply to: #2388036

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Alabama
Subject: RE: stopped running to tell a fellow cyclist to wear a helmet...

KathyG - 2009-09-03 2:57 PM There is this dad that rides with his son to my kids school basically escorts him there and back which I think is pretty cool. His son wears a helmet and he doesn't. It has always bothered me as kids learn by example better than being told.

I never met the man but bumped into him at a school event. I said something like I see you ride with your son to school that is great. Why don't you wear a helmet like your son? His answer was where I grew up we didn't wear them. My response was where I grew up we didn't have them either but I always ride with my helmet as I want me to see me doing what I expect them to do.

I went 24 mph head first into a metal street sign pole June 2007,  I'm quite sure my helmet save me from serious injuries. I have a hard time watching folks be idiots and not wear one.

 

When my daughter was about 10 year old we were biking down a hill.  She was in front of me and when she turned around to see where I was her front wheel turned 90 degrees and she when over the handle bars.  I jumpped off my bike and ran to her.  She was limp and did not respond.  My heart sank!  I picked her up and ran with her in my arms all the way back to our house.  By the time I got back she was starting to come to.  I put her in my truck and raced to the ER. 

She was wearing a helmet....one of those big kid's helmets.  It cracked all along the side.  The doctors and nurses in the ER couldn't get over the helmet.  It had done exactly what it was supposed to do.  They asked if they could borrow the helmet to show the other doctors and nurses.  She was knocked out cold even with the helmet.  He she not been wearing a helmet, I am convinced she would not be alive today. 

No, I was not wearing a helmet.  I wear one now.

 

~Mike

2009-09-03 3:49 PM
in reply to: #2387982

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Expert
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Thornton, CO
Subject: RE: stopped running to tell a fellow cyclist to wear a helmet...
the bear - 2009-09-03 1:42 PM

I fully support an adult's right to splatter his brains on the pavement if he so chooses. I assume they are aware of the risk and neither need or appreciate me pointing it out to them.


I agree... I'm a huge fan of darwinism, but unfortunately with our medical knowledge we have seemed to do away with darwinism in our species.  As for 'data' to back it up, I do have a job, can't be scrounging around for that kind of stuff, but it's common knowledge that we pay higher prices because of other people's actions.  For instance other people steal from a store, the store builds in a small price increase into every item to compensate for this loss.  Their decision to steal costs me money... granted not a huge amount, but it's the same philosophy.  I have to pay a higher insurance rate for my sport motorcycle compared to my cruiser... not because I'm a different driver on one or the other, but because other people get into wrecks on sport bikes more often than on cruisers.  Other people's decision to go 120mph on a sport bike and weave through traffic effects me.

I wouldn't have said anything to him either though, but if I came across someone that had a head injury because they were in a bike accident and didn't have a helmet on... I'd look at them and say "dumb @$$" since it's possible it could have prevented it.

2009-09-03 4:45 PM
in reply to: #2387652

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Subject: RE: stopped running to tell a fellow cyclist to wear a helmet...
I've often had to bite my tongue when seeing others without helmets on my rides and runs.  The only time I let loose is when I see my kids' friends riding without helmets.  Them I lecture.  It embarrasses the hell out of my 12 year old but the kids still come to our house so it can't be that bad. 
2009-09-03 4:58 PM
in reply to: #2387652

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New York
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Subject: RE: stopped running to tell a fellow cyclist to wear a helmet...
It never occurs to me that I met ever have to "foot the bill" of a person not wearing a helmet. I also never say anything--too chicken/don't think it would do any good--but I cringe each and every time I see someone without one. And it's because I'm thinking of what might happen to them--I've read enough horror stories on BT to never ever ride without one.

I was once biking in Central Park and a woman was coming the opposite way with her husband. He had taken off his helmet (too hot?), which was dangling from his handlebars. She was wearing hers. As I passed them, she admonished him to put on his helmet. I shouted behind me, "She's right! It'll save your life." He was putting it on as I went around the bend. I'll admit that made me feel better.

I think people don't wear helmets for a number of reasons (doesn't look "cool," it's too hot, it's annoying, they don't think they'll get in an accident, etc.) none of which would ever trump the unknowable actually happening and the result: "I could get seriously injured and/or die."

Regardless, people just don't like being told what to do by strangers, even if it's for their own safety and well-being. They'll just think you're being a bossy, nosy know-it-all.


2009-09-03 6:18 PM
in reply to: #2387663

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Subject: RE: stopped running to tell a fellow cyclist to wear a helmet...
the bear - 2009-09-03 2:22 PM Always curious, why does it matter to you what a stranger does?


Agree 100%! 

I really can't post anything else because it wouldn't be polite. 
2009-09-03 6:19 PM
in reply to: #2388046

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Subject: RE: stopped running to tell a fellow cyclist to wear a helmet...
Daremo - 2009-09-03 4:01 PM Damn bunch of idiots ..............


Agreed... grown men should not be caught dead in those fruity outfits. 
2009-09-03 7:19 PM
in reply to: #2388036

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the Alabama part of Pennsylvania
Subject: RE: stopped running to tell a fellow cyclist to wear a helmet...
KathyG - 2009-09-03 3:57 PM There is this dad that rides with his son to my kids school basically escorts him there and back which I think is pretty cool. His son wears a helmet and he doesn't. It has always bothered me as kids learn by example better than being told.

I never met the man but bumped into him at a school event. I said something like I see you ride with your son to school that is great. Why don't you wear a helmet like your son? His answer was where I grew up we didn't wear them. My response was where I grew up we didn't have them either but I always ride with my helmet as I want me to see me doing what I expect them to do.

I went 24 mph head first into a metal street sign pole June 2007,  I'm quite sure my helmet save me from serious injuries. I have a hard time watching folks be idiots and not wear one.


When I was a kid, we never wore our seatbelts, and of course the cars did not have airbags.  And while I lived, there are plenty of people who died in crashes needlessly.  So the "that's not what we did when I grew up" argument is very very weak. 
2009-09-03 7:22 PM
in reply to: #2388046

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Subject: RE: stopped running to tell a fellow cyclist to wear a helmet...
Daremo - 2009-09-03 4:01 PM Damn bunch of idiots ..............


Well, they appear to be on a closed course. And I would bet their bike handling skills are a tad better than the average person you spot riding helmetless on the road. And I would point out that the motorcyclists appear to be wearing their helmets...
2009-09-03 7:29 PM
in reply to: #2387652

Uxbridge
Subject: RE: stopped running to tell a fellow cyclist to wear a helmet...
I had a bike crash this summer and there is no doubt that my helmet prevented grave injury. I have stopped quite a few kids without helmets and explained my accident. Usually when I say "my brains would have been splattered on the street if I was not wearing a helmet" that gets their attention. I even stopped a kid in Dunkin Donuts who cruised in on his bike without a helmet. I dont care...if it gets one more kid to wear a helmet...then its worth the effort. 

Last year a group of HS students was riding for  a fitness class on a path near my home. I was running and noticed all the students had their helmets on but half the kids didnt have the chin strap fastened...just stupid. I called the HS and spoke directly to the athletic director. Next time I saw this class they all had the chin straps fastened!!!!Whatever it takes.


2009-09-03 7:37 PM
in reply to: #2388046

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Master
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Gold Coast Australia.
Subject: RE: stopped running to tell a fellow cyclist to wear a helmet...
Daremo - 2009-09-03 3:01 PM Damn bunch of idiots ..............


X2

and they smoke too!!!

2009-09-03 9:46 PM
in reply to: #2387652

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Subject: RE: stopped running to tell a fellow cyclist to wear a helmet...
I think the cliche used to be that one head injury will change your mind.

It doesn't take much to permanently alter a brain.  The frontal lobe is the most sensitive.  It's what allows you to hold a job and maintain relationships.  The subtle changes are really the most destructive part of the problem.

 
2009-09-04 1:58 AM
in reply to: #2387652

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Subject: RE: stopped running to tell a fellow cyclist to wear a helmet...
If he wants to die, let him...
2009-09-04 2:59 AM
in reply to: #2387675

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Subject: RE: stopped running to tell a fellow cyclist to wear a helmet...

craig002 - 2009-09-03 8:26 PM i have never met a stranger............

x2

2009-09-04 6:31 AM
in reply to: #2388046

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2009-09-04 6:33 AM
in reply to: #2388880


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Subject: RE: stopped running to tell a fellow cyclist to wear a helmet...
craig002 - 2009-09-03 8:26 PM i have never met a stranger............

 x2



and let me add to that:

a true display of one's character is how you treat someone that you percieve to be of no value to you

and

from the Randy Pausch lecture:

"When you see yourself doing something badly and nobody’s bothering to tell you anymore, that’s a very bad place to be. Your critics are your ones telling you they still love you and care."


and finally:

"be the change you want to see"
(i believe the Dahli Lama said that one but i might be wrong)


craig002

2009-09-04 6:37 AM
in reply to: #2387663

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2009-09-04 6:39 AM
in reply to: #2388933

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2009-09-04 6:42 AM
in reply to: #2388434

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Edited by PennState 2009-09-04 6:42 AM
2009-09-04 6:43 AM
in reply to: #2387652

Master
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Southern Ontario
Subject: RE: stopped running to tell a fellow cyclist to wear a helmet...
When I started riding to get into triathlons - I never wore a helmet.  I thought they were stupid and dorky.  I was riding in Ottawa and it took about a total of 3 weeks of people giving me dirty looks and shaking their heads for me to go out and buy one.  Obviously everyone else was wearing one and they obviously weren't impressed by my lack of concern for my brains... I know this is a "If everyone jumped off the bridge" situation - but I guess peer pressure worked for me in this case.

I've had a couple good spills and thumped my head off the sidewalk once so far ... I'm glad I got pressured into wearing one.

I probably wouldn't say anything - although I do ask parents if I can adjust their child's helmets when they are not fitted correctly... I've done this at races and at school.  My kids all know that I wear a helmet every time I'm on my bike (I ride to work) and that I think it's really important to be safe.  (They've seen the evidence of some of my more spectacular spills.)


2009-09-04 6:48 AM
in reply to: #2388944


126
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Subject: RE: stopped running to tell a fellow cyclist to wear a helmet...
Again, what gives you the right to impose your morality on them?

Edited by PennState 2009-09-04 6:42 AM




--how is this imposing morality to say something?

Mr Curious aka craig002
2009-09-04 7:01 AM
in reply to: #2388942

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2009-09-04 7:08 AM
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2009-09-04 7:12 AM
in reply to: #2387652

Expert
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Boise, Idaho
Subject: RE: stopped running to tell a fellow cyclist to wear a helmet...
I think it's all about the context of the message being delivered...

"Hey, you stupid person, you should put on a helmet and be smart like me."  Then ride off smugly.

vs.

"Hey friend, I'm sure your friends/family want to see you live a long and happy life.  Do them a favor and consider wearing your helmet.  Have a nice day, OK."
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