Royal Albert Cycling Club

stevenbrennan · Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Posts: 371 Location: Larkhall

On Sunday, my dad and a friend were involved in an accident coming home from a cycle. My dad came away with cuts and bruises but his friend Ian came away much worse.

On aproaching a roundabout, there was a touch of wheels and they both went down. Ian's head hit the road and he was knocked out. By the time paramedics arrived, he was still out cold and was having trouble breathing. When he eventually came round, he didn't know his name, where he lived or anything else about himself. A scan at the hospital revealed swelling of the brain and a serious concussion.

Fortunately, as the night progressed his memory slowly began to return but still couldn't remember anything that happened on Sunday. He was realeased from hospital this morning and should make a full recovery although the events of Sunday still haven't returned.

The hospital have told him that without the helmet, he would have died or had serious brain damage. This all happened at speeds under 10mph.

A helmet may not save you at high speeds but this just shows it's not always how you fall but how you land that can cause the damage.

Take heed
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It never gets easier, you just get faster.

admin · Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 5:25 pm Post subject:

Sorry to hear about your dad and his friend, Steven. Hopefully, your dad's friend will continue to make a complete recovery.

Cycling Weekly recently contained an article about helmets, which mentioned that the CTC are against legislation that's being proposed in Northern Ireland (that would make it compulsory to wear them there).

I have heard all the arguments about freedom to choose; how they wouldn't save you if you were hit by a car etc, but I have also seen too many incidents like this; simple, unexpected events that can so easily bring about injuries like those incurred by your dad's friend, or worse.

Taking such a risk based on some logic or other is all very well but, for me, wisdom gained from experience, and common sense, should take precedence.

I would love to sail through the air, feeling the wind pass through my hair again but, for the above reason (and another one - nae hair), it ain't gonna happen!

Dennis

JimL · Joined: 05 Aug 2010 Posts: 100 Location: Uddingston

The other viewpoint.

As far as I am aware there is no statistical evidence ,or any other evidence, that helmet use prevents serious injury and they are a diversion from the real issues of road safety.I also find it very susrprising how much faith so many people put in a flimsy polystyrene hat full of holes with a silly shape that common sense suggests will cause a neck injury in the event of a fall.

I think the CTC are absolutely correct to oppose compulsory helmet use (and NI may be the thin edge of the wedge). All the evidence in Australia/New Zealand is that compulsory helmet use has reduced cycling rates and made it less safe for the remaining cyclists.

My interpretation of the original post is that helmets are even more useless than I thought if they failed to prevent injury in a low speed fall where they are meant to be of some use (but I wouldn't draw conclusions from one incident and I wouldn't trust a doctor who drew big conclusions from little information either)

johncampbell · Joined: 24 Jan 2008 Posts: 651

SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR DAD AND FRIENDS ACCIDENT HOPE THINGS WORK OUT OK
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It's better to burn out than fade away...

grahamescott · Joined: 03 Feb 2008 Posts: 29 Location: Larkhall

Sorry to hear about your dad and his mate glad they are both ok.
I would like to add my tuppence worth on this subject last year while out with East Kilbride Road Club on an APR in April I had a pretty serious fall coming out of Douglas where I had to hit the brakes at 35mph when a car decided at the last minute to turn right to Abington with me only a few metres behind and a car coming up the road to Douglas I ended up flying over the handle bars and landing on my head ended up with a broken collar bone, lots of road-rash and severe bruising. Thankfully I was wearing my helmet I dread to think what would have happened I was not wearing it.I know it is not compulsory to wear a helmet but I would advocate the wearing of one when out on the bike at all times.