I'd just set of on my ride home yesterday evening when I come across a cyclist down here:
http://maps.google.c...1,0.011287&z=17
Male cyclist lying in the road, two women in attendance, one of whom is on the phone to the Ambulance Service. No cars (other than parked) in evidence and one of the women said she'd been cleaning her windows when she heard a crash and saw that said cyclist had fallen off into the road. Not sure why, though, so it's not immediately clear if another vehicle was involved in the incident.
The cyclist is obviously a bit dazed and is lying with his head on his backpack and generally keeping still. He's obviously in some pain but what is most apparent is a nasty straight gash to his head which has cut in to skull bone depth. Quite unpleasant for the poor chap although he's more concerned about the pain in his shoulder (on the same side as the gash). The location of the injury points to him having bashed his head (probably against the pavement edge judging by the size and shape of it) in a place where, had he been wearing a helmet, he would quite plainly have been protected.
Anyway, I'm happy to say that a paramedic arrived within five minutes and quickly decided that, as he had knocked himself out momentarily, an ambulance would be needed to take him off to A&E for further examination (Hammersmith is very close). I manage to establish that they
would take his bicycle with him (I know that's one thing that would worry me in such a situation) and so left just as the ambulance was approaching (again arriving within five mins of the paramedic - most impressive seeing as this was Friday rush hour).
I'm sure he was well looked after at the Hospital (and may well decide that a helmet is a wise future investment) but I couldn't help but be reminded of the time when I first bought a helmet - after my first accident in London many years ago. Although I didn't injure my head on that occasion it really made me aware of how vulnerable one's bonce is in these situations and I've worn one religiously ever since. Indeed, it has saved me from injury to my head on a number of occasions so I'm certainly thankful that I made that decision relatively early in my London commuting experience.
Interestingly, while the man was down another, female, cyclist stopped to see if any further assistance was needed. She remarked on the fact that he wasn't wearing a helmet. One of the women present jokingly said to her "But
you're not wearing a helmet" to which she replied that she didn't, even though she, herself, had fallen off in the past too.
So, fellow forumites, what is it that makes some of us decide to wear a helmet and why do others not. To me, it's a clear cut argument for self preservation but, as that's my decision alone, I would never advocate the compulsory wearing of head protection for cyclists. Just wondering what others think about this.
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There is much more chance when biking off road to hurt yourself in all manner of ways. On the road I prefer not to wear one.
