Philip A. Contos will not be down for breakfast (Another SGT)

[Shorty82]

My question to the unhelmeted is, "How much is your head worth?" Mine, when biking, is worth $109. Pretty cheap insurance.

I agree. When I ride my bicycle I always wear my helmet. The only time I ride a bike without a helmet is the very once in a while I ride one at work (there's bikes available for cast to use to get around parts of backstage at DAK). The first couple of times I rode one of those it felt weird to be on a bike with no helmet.

[DisneyMom]

Oh, and after said test they are not entitled to any medical care for at least three weeks.

Well, hoping that Medical Care is available for even the most Stupid! (they probably need it most!) ;)

[felinefan]

What really makes me mad is these people who ride their bikes on the sidewalk, and half of them don't even bother to say "Excuse me." They all but run you over. When I was a kid, we were trained to ride in the street, facing traffic. Now I understand you have to ride with the flow of the traffic. But the law says 1.) You must wear a helmet while riding, and 2.) You must share the road with cars.

Back in the late 80s, I knew a guy in one of my broadcasting classes who rode a motorcycle. One night he was going 100 mph with no helmet, and slammed into a semi. What really bugged me was no just the fact that he was a talented guy behind the mike, but his mother was a widow--the obit said his dad died when this guy was five--and he was an only child. Now that really bites. That must've been really tragic for his mom. Even though she was well off financially, she would be alone the rest of her life.

[kurtisnelson]

I agree. When I ride my bicycle I always wear my helmet. The only time I ride a bike without a helmet is the very once in a while I ride one at work (there's bikes available for cast to use to get around parts of backstage at DAK). The first couple of times I rode one of those it felt weird to be on a bike with no helmet.

I was in for a surprise when I showed up back there the first time in business casual.

[Shorty82]

I was in for a surprise when I showed up back there the first time in business casual.

LOL! Same here. Try riding one while wearing the "sarong"* the men in Asia Merch wear, that's interesting. Took me awhile the first time to figure out how to get on without catching it on everything. I'm surprised I didn't catch it in the chain or anything.

*They call it a sarong but in actuality it is a shin length skort. I'd prefer an actual sarong, it'd be more comfortable and it would have to be cooler.

[darph nader]

'Kinda' reminds of a guy in Cali,who a few years ago decided that helmet laws sucked. Said dude puts his motorcycle helmet on, yells, "I have nothing left to live for"!! He then blew his brains out.

[Zazu]

Well, hoping that Medical Care is available for even the most Stupid! (they probably need it most!) ;)

Not most, but generally most often!

[PatchOBlack]

Back when I was a youngin', and I rode my bike everywhere around town, it seemed that the rules regarding them weren't well defined. Some of the time, I was told that riding a bike was similar to being a pedestrian, thus one should stay off the street if there was a sidewalk. Other times, it was a vehicle, so it shared the road.

My rules of thumb are this, these days (though I don't ride a bike anymore):

1. Bicycles are considered vehicles, and thus share the road. Use bike lanes when available, otherwise stay as far to the right (or left, depending on what country you're in) as is safe.

2. In areas of low motor traffic, a bike rider can use left turn lanes and such. However, in busier areas, or where there are traffic lights, I recommend using the crosswalk instead. The law might say that it is alright to share the road, but personally, I think there is less chance of injury by using the crosswalks.

3. Wear a helmet. I'll admit, I never did as a kid, and I'm sure most folks will never have to put the helmet to the test. However, why take the risk, when there is so much to lose if it does happen?

4. Buy a lock for your bike, then use it to secure your bike where appropriate. Don't think that you have a right to bring a bike in with you at stores or restaurants. I only bring this up because, in a previous job, I had folks give the argument that they must be allowed to park their bikes inside because they didn't have a lock, and if they were forced to leave them outside, the business would be responsible if they were stolen. I pointed out we don't let people drive their cars or motorcycles into the restaurant, nor are we responsible if someone steals them from the parking lot, whether they are locked up or not.

[WEDFan]

I recall an old Bell helmet ad that said "If you have a $10 head, wear a $10 helmet." I really liked that logic, and I've always thought that it spoke volumes about people who would wear no helmet.

[hobie16]

3. Wear a helmet. I'll admit, I never did as a kid, and I'm sure most folks will never have to put the helmet to the test. However, why take the risk, when there is so much to lose if it does happen?

I have put a helmet to the test. Hit a wet spot in a corner. The results were a broken clavicle, all ribs broken on one side, punctured lung, bruised heart, and a gawd awful looking bruise that ran from my shoulder to the top of my leg. Head damage - none but the helmet gave its life to save mine.

Wear Your Helmet!!!