It was easy to pick out Lance Armstrong at the Tour de France this year, especially from an aerial view, as his helmet was unique and stylish. But that is really not why he wears it. Fabio Casatelli’s fatal bicycle crash of the 1995 Tour de France is just an example of how helmets can save lives.
The UCI now mandates the professional rider wear helmets from the start to the finish of a race, yet there is no federal law-requiring cyclist to wear helmets. Many states require the use of bike helmets for children younger than 18 years old. Regrettably, this is rarely enforced. Although I make my kids wear bike helmets, I’m guilty of passing neighborhood children that are bicycling on the road without a helmet, and say nothing.
Swine flu is a major health concern as it has caused 76 child related deaths in the US since April of this year. However, is just one quarter of the yearly child related deaths to bicycle injuries of which most are due to head trauma. Yet look at the publicity the swine flu gets.
Apparently we cannot leave it up to the government or the parents to strictly enforce children wearing bike helmets. So I would like to commend the Professional Cycling agencies for leading this effort. Mostly, I would like to congratulate the Professional Cyclist for wearing their helmets with a flourish. Hopefully this will encourage the young riders to grab a helmet and “buckle up”. Thanks Guys!
By Rebecca Jackson, MD – staff writer.
Like Pro Cyclists, Children Should Wear Helmets
It’s amazing the things a parent won’t do for their children, but do for themselves. With all of their ‘Parental Knowledge’ they fail to see the obvious truth: Child are LESS experienced than adults. Which means they don’t/can’t/are unable to make decisions regarding their personal safety. It’s not their fault, they’re just young and inexperienced. More times than I can count I see parents riding witht their kids and wonder,”Don’t you love your children and want them to be happy and healthy???” I don’t get it, I’m befuddled. Not to blow my own horn, but my kids (3, 5 and 7) don’t get on their bikes unless they are wearing helmets and shoes. It’s true, at times it makes them angry, but it’s my job to ensure that they live (to the best of my ability) longer than I do. It’s also my job to safeguard their well being and sending them out in todays world unprotected just goes against my grain. Love your children, help continue to make their lives happy and healthy, be a parent and do your jobs. Thanks (this has not been a public service announcement. It’s simply my humble opinion).
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I was heartened to see your helmet message. It would be great if Radio Shack could make this message a prominent supplement to the LiveStrong message, since the team will generate so much interest and publicity. I have seen the costs of brain injury first hand, and also been spared injury twice by wearing a helmet. Perhaps the team might even put the message on the team helmet: Helmets save lives.
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This article is ironic since the main picture ont he website here is of Lance riding without a helmet.
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Adrien, it doesn’t actually show a bike, your just assuming that!
In Australia it is law in all States that all bicycle riders wear a helmet just as it is for motorcycles. I’m a commuter cyclist and I always make comment as I pass those without one on, I’m also a Paramedic and know first hand what damage is done to the skull when unprotected in an accident.
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I agree totaly especially since many of these pro’s are role models. But it would be nice if the pro’s would wear helmets when they are training away from the team. I did see a ceratin US pro (fomrer Astana rider) here in San Diego training without a helmet(more than once). We watch and notice and would like to see you all live long and happy lives after you have given us the pleasure of watching you race.
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