Steven asked: It seems that quite a few TIPsters have survived bicycle crashes (me too). But unlike me, I imagine all you responsible folks were wearing helmets. Do you think they helped?
Steven- I've had three real crashes (I've been riding since I was six and almost daily for well over 25 years). One was minor enough that it only involved a bit of road rash and a few stitches- I think I was eight (the mailbox is doing well!). My first serious crash was long ago enough that I wasn't wearing a helmet and it resulted in a TBI (I was 16). My last one I was doing almost 40 and went over the handle-bars landing on my left shoulder and rolling over my head. I had no head injury or even scratches but I broke the helmet (in addition to seven broken bones and a pulmonary injury). I can't say for sure it helped but I'm convinced personally. (I always wear a helmet now). The real reason I started wearing a helmet was not my own TBI at 18 (apparently my wife is correct that I'm stubborn). In later years of college I worked at a bicycle shop. We always tried to tell people to wear them (a half-owner was a lawyer- go figure). One woman declined- she "only rode to the grocery store down the street". About the third ride she pulled up to stop at a stop-sign. She put her foot down on the curb but missed and fell over. Her head hit the curb and she died. Wear a helmet! BTW- my excuse for wearing a helmet is also at least partly vain. The hair is taking a leave on me- ;) it also helps protect from the sun. (But I do understand the wind in the hair thing- After a while I got used to wind in the face). Tim ---
