«Is a helmet worth it?» (it’s worth more than pizza!!)
When I was working at Tenerife-Training.net delivering rental bikes, I saw a lot of things. One of the not so nice aspects of running that business were the accidents…
No one ever ‘plans’ on having an accident. That’s why they’re called ‘accidents’. Because they’re totally unexpected. Accidents happen when you least expect it. That’s the very definition of an accident I think.
One time a dog ran across the road and a cyclist tried to swerve around it and consequently broke his leg. Another time a man skidded off the road into some bushes while he was looking at the scenery.
Other times people were so keen to go fast that they didn’t even moderate their speed according to their own abilities!
This happened to my friend while we were riding. He literally flew right over the top of the safety barrier, narrowly missing two trees (as well as many volcanic rocks). I saw the whole thing. And the ambulance officers had some trouble climbing over those rocks with him on the stretcher.
This happened more than you’d think. With over 20 bikes in my fleet, accidents were a regular occurrence. It was almost inevitable that every season there would be some kind of accident.
One of my «unwritten business rules», was that if a person had an accident that was bad enough for them to end up in the hospital, then I would go and visit them.
Far from the usual rental service that sees an accident like some kind of business opportunity to make more money, I saw the accidents as very unfortunate incidents (especially while on holiday in sunny Spain). And so I thought that the least I could do was offer some kind of emotional support.
I can tell you that at least one of my clients was saved by his helmet. He inadvertently landed up-side down on his head and the entire helmet split in two right down the middle like a walnut shell!
So I’m going to share with you a very interesting link written by a personal injury lawyer about some bicycle accident statistics and brain injuries. This link was kindly provided by Lisa. I think it’s worth a look:
Is a Helmet Worth It? How Brain Injuries Affect Different Body Functions
Luckily, no one ever died while renting a bike with us. But I think it was only a matter of time before a much more serious (and permanent) accident happened. This worried me a lot. The last thing I need is to be sued because someone has died on one of our bicycles.
Besides, I would rather be eating pizza than visiting people in hospital (or attending funerals). And so I ask you to ensure that you always wear a helmet when you are riding or scootering and please take care!
You never know when you will have an accident.
Because they usually happen when you least expect it!
-Leslie
P.S this post is sponsored by Carey Davis at learninghaven.com. Thanks to this post, a young girl named Lisa is going to get pizza! Not just her but the whole group! Yay! How could anyone say no to that? Enjoy your pizza! This is not just one link, but a whole blog post dedicated to you!
-Leslie
Hello,
My name is Carey and I volunteer at a youth center with a safety program for kids. I came across your website https://www.tenerife-training.net/Tenerife-News-Cycling-Blog/cycling-links-updated/ while discussing cycling, bicycle safety, and the importance of protecting one’s head. I want to say thank you!
One of my girls, Lisa, did some web searches at home and found this page that she brought in for me to see – https://www.dandalaw.com/is-a-helmet-worth-it/
I suggested that she share this with you because it had such great information and I also want to impress upon all my students that by reaching out and simply asking others, like yourself, things can be accomplished that the girls might not otherwise think can.
Would you please add the link to that resource for them to your webpage? They would be so proud to see that you included it. I also don’t think it hurt that I promised the group a pizza day if you did! Please let me know if you’d be willing so I can share the exciting news with them!
Thank you very much in advance.
Carey
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Carey Davis
davis.carey@learninghaven.com
Teacher | Volunteer
Behold the tortoise that only makes progress when it sticks its neck out!
Here are some updated cycle routes from Puerto de la Cruz. Take note: we have taken special care to indicate the best way(s) of getting into and out of Puerto de la Cruz. You may find it helpful to print out certain sections particularly around Puerto de la Cruz (note there are three or four ways in, «El Botannico», «Martianez», «Las Arenas» and «Las Dehesas»). Some people find the way through to La Orotava & Icod EL Alto a bit confusing, and also the way through La Laguna and the way back through El Sauzal…
