<p>One of the interesting things about this forum is that we always imagine the situations we hear about in the context of our own lives.</p>
<p>In our neighborhood, no sidewalks. No streetlights. Not even a center line on this particular road with just 10 homes in 2 acre zoning. This may seem totally foreign to you – but we are less than 50 miles from Columbus Circle in NYC. I don’t even call it ‘country’ but rather ‘fake rural’. There is no farming here – just houses in the woods. </p>
<p>Street maybe 1/4 mile long, and sloping upward the entire length (so my S was going downhill). Two acre zoning means not a lot of neighbors watching out their windows. Most of us can’t see the road from the house due to trees and topography. Luckily the neighbor on the corner was out in his tomato garden next to the street and saw him go by and then heard the crash.</p>
<p>Thank you everyone for your good wishes. Hug your kids and celebrate helmets!</p>
<p>cpn55, sorry to hear about the beginning, but happy to hear about the ending!</p>
<p>In addition to the information about not locking one’s cell phone, I would add: ALWAYS CARRY IDENTIFICATION! For whatever reason. Not just in case you’re in an accident. Just stick your license in your back pocket. Who knows? Maybe you’ll witness an accident and the police will ask for ID.</p>
<p>I’m glad he is OK. I generally mind my own business (well, maybe not), but I am MILITANT about bike helmets. As a lawyer who has dealt with closed head injury cases and paralysis, I feel very strongly about this. Neither of my kids ever left the driveway on a bike without a bike helmet. H is an accomplished distance cyclist and NEVER leaves his helmet behind. </p>
<p>It burns me when I see a parent and kid cycling and the kid has a helmet on and the parent doesn’t. I stop them and tell them it is a bad example and very stupid. Just my rant…</p>
<p>I would add one important thing to this thread. Always get a racing helmet!
My son is alive today because he had a one on riding home from junior high when he had a very serious crash. A regular helmet would have resulted in permanent head injuries.</p>
<p>The company who manufactured it traded us a new helmet because they wanted to know what went right.</p>
<p>The two major differences are fit so the helmet doesn’t slide up your forehead reducing effectiveness. And a racing helmet is generally carbon reinforced so it is stronger.</p>
<p>In terms of comfort they are generally slightly lighter and have better airflow around your head.</p>
<p>I am so glad to hear but for the road rash and stitches, your son will be fine! I am always amazed at people who choose to ride bicycles (and motorcycles!) without helmets. When I worked as a staff nurse at a local hospital, one of our doctor’s was a patient of mine. His bicycle helmet, with a very large chunk missing, rested on the bedside table. Each time someone entered his room, he would tell the story of his helmet saving his life. I am ashamed to admit that when hubby and I were first married (24 years ago), a close friend of ours received a bicycle helmet as a college graduation gift from his godparents. When he arrived at our door wearing the helmet, we all laughed ourselves silly. We were young and stupid, but we all now appreciate the safety provided by a helmet. Again, cnp55, I am so happy to learn your son will recover fully!</p>
<p>Thanks ‘parentofbear’. A colleague of mine is a major road bike rider (>100 miles/week) and former racer so maybe I’ll ask him about helmets. I’d rather have an effective one than have a false sense of security.</p>
<p>cnp,
The 15 foot skid mark from the helmet gives me chills. Had that been an uncovered head… Glad he had the brains (and still does) to wear it.</p>
<p>Your neighborhood sounds like our area- hills and no sidewalks (besides, sidewalks are for walking- on the rare suburban sidewalk I don’t expect to have to watch out for bicycles) our state law expects cyclists to follow the same rules as cars, right side of road, etc). A normal, safe area. In fact, a paved road is safer than a sidewalk with cracks and uneven areas- I once saw a teen just after she fell when she hit an irregularity in that rare sidewalk, she broke her jaw.</p>
<p>Addenda (computer glitch wouldn’t let me edit). The paved road is safer for a bicycle than a sidewalk with uneven pavement (think cracks, upheaved areas)- I saw a teen just after she fell from her bike on that rare sidewalk, her helmet didn’t prevent a broken jaw.</p>