I was reading a post on a sub reddit I visit that discussed the new California Bicycle Helmet law. Apparently, there is a lot people in Cali who are not impressed with this law. Some people made comments about how this law was going to negatively impact bicycling and would deter people from taking up bicycling as a mode of transportation.
I am all for individual freedom, however, I just do not understand how someone can cycle in North America and NOT wear a helmet. Here's why:
Over the 8 years I have been commuting regularly I have been involved in a couple of vehicular collisions. That's "Police-Report" for I've been hit by cars. The last one happened last year in fact. I won't bore you with the details, but I will post some pictures.
Here's my arm
Pretty bad road rash, but nothing to serious. I still have a few scars on my arm and they look pretty bad ass.
Here is my leg.
Once again, not a bad a little road rash. It made it difficult to wear pants for a few days, which I thought was awesome, but my wife didn't.
But these are just road rashes. And not really bad ones at that. Why am I talking about this on a post about mandatory helmet laws. Well, here's my helmet.
The reason I have only minor road rashes is because I landed on my head. Below is what my head looked like even with the helmet. I ended up going to the emergency room for about 6 hours and had a bunch of tests and x-rays and cat scans and other stuff (Yea, Canadian health care!). I was diagnosed with a mild concussion and sent home.
Those black spots are actual pieces of asphalt that had to be picked out by a lovely nurse named Amanda.
The big topper on this, the person who hit me didn't event stop. They just kept on going, If I hadn't been wearing my helmet, I am pretty sure my injury would have looked more like this:
Good luck combing that over. That helmet saved my life and I just do not understand why others would ever take that risk. Cause bad things happen sometimes and when they do, they happen fast.
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