Right, back on topic, I put my helmet on when going to the shops and I decided to use the cyclepath provided by the local council. I heeadbutted the windscreen of a delivery van which was parked on the cyclepath. If I hadn't worn my helmet, I could've been hurt. I then carried on my way along the cyclpath until my front wheel dropped into a drain which was installed with slats in line with the cyclepath and went over the bars again. If I hadn't been wearing my helmet, I could've been hurt. I then proceeded on my way along the cyclepath until I hit a bus stop sign which was in the middle of the cycle lane. If I hadn't been wearing my helmet, I could've been hurt. I then proceeded on my way along the cyclepath until I hit a roadworks sign and over the bars again. Again, lucky I had my now rather battered helmet on. The cyclepath merged with the normal road just at a busy junction and I got knocked down by a car. Lucky I was wearing my helmet. When I eventually reached the shop, I tripped on the pavement out side and fell through the shop window. Thankfully, I hadn't removed my helmet. My helmet was now in bits so I had to buy a new one before cycling home.
So, based on experience, I think a helmet is essential for such a dangerous activity as riding on a "safe" cycle path. I write this from my hospital bed after standing on a bar of wet soap while getting out of the bath and smashing my head up against the bathroom sink. Never again will I take a bath without wearing a helmet. Lesson learned!
