Originally posted by Tom S. I've been tempted to design a bumper sticker showing a helmetless rider, a large equal sign and the words "Organ Donner".
Had a guy that worked for me some years back that did just that...became an organ donor. Said he liked the freedom of the open air without restrictions of a helmet. I guess he's free now?
Back in '70 I bought a new BSA and the owner of the shop, a long time friend of mine gave me a red metallic helmet that matched the paint exactly. They were not worn by many back then, and I told him to keep it, I didn't want or need it. He was persuasive and gave me a nice discount if I would take it and promise to wear it on my coming trip to Mexico. I did. Two days later I was cruising and got off road on a little trail along a creek that ran into a large lake. There were people on the other bank fishing and some would wave and I would wave back. Went on for maybe a 1/4 mile and as I approached a highway bridge over the creek someone on the other bank yelled at me and I turned and looked....and hit the cement of the low bridge head-on just as I turned back to the trail. I was going slow, 10-15 mph, but it knocked me off the bike and split the helmet wide open in front. Otherwise, I didn't get a scratch. My friend gave me a new helmet, put my old one on a string hanging in his shop, and didn't have to ask for me to promise to wear one from then on.
They guy that worked for me survived his crash with little damage to his body, but his brain was fried. For over a year he was a living vegetable, placing enormous pain and strain on his family and friends...and great $$ expense for them too. His death was a relief to everyone, including him, no doubt.
When I visit my friend in the Nursing Home, I pass by a room with a young man in bed on his back that never moves, never opens his eyes, and never hears anything as far as anyone knows. The story is he was just going down to the store for a loaf of bread, only two blocks away, and didn't need to put on his helmet.....As happens so often, the woman that hit him "never saw him".
It never happens to you....until it does.
Regards!