Please wear your safety helmets.

[W12GT]

I've just learned some very sad news that a friend & neighbour has died after a falling from his bike and hitting his head on the ground. Not sure of the full details yet but he was walking his dog at the time and it looks like the dog was startled by something which may have caused him to go into his bike.

He was such a nice man - incredibly interesting and had spent alot of his life filming documentaries including visiting war torn countries to capture the events and effects on those involved. He was calm, funny and thought the world of his wife and son. He helped me through my year of depression with his positive outlook on life and showing me how lucky I was to have what I have. He will be deeply missed by all those who were fortunate enough to meet him. He had a love of all things petrol - especially his motorbikes.

Please ride carefully and make your loved ones wear a helmet - it may help save a life.

Ride safely all,
David

Edited by W12GT on Sunday 24th August 10:00

[TheFungle]

Tragic story and I fully understand the reasoning behind your posting but may I respectfully suggest that this thread may not go the way you intend it to.

I'm not this the appropriate trigger for yet another helmet debate.

[W12GT]

Thanks TheFungal, I do hope it doesn't go that way as I haven't posted it to be controversial, but having seen how shocked and upset his wife and son are; it has made a very big impact on me and if (and I stress it isn't guaranteed it will) wearing a helmet gives a bit of a chance of survival then I personally would take it.

Freedom of choice is there for everyone. Just ride safely is my message - oh and of course enjoy your rides.

[Greenish]

A very sad story and sorry to hear. Did I read it that he may have been riding his bicycle with his dog in tow on a lead?

[AndyWoodall]

Very sad to hear your news.

[paranoid airbag]

No.

I used to do so, but I have concluded from overwhelming evidence doing so damages someone's ability to fk off and let others make their own decisions. I've seen people fall off, not fall off, have head injuries and not do so, same as you.

I value that part of my brain and encourage others do the same.

[anonymous-user]

OP has clearly lost a dear friend and the post is emotional, I'm not sure this is really the place to kick off another helmet debate and I cant possibly imagine there is anything left to say after the last one.

[paranoid airbag]

Then he shouldn't kick one off should he?

Used to be "wearing a helmet" and "enjoying a ride" were things I can do. Thanks to emo bullst they're now mutually exclusive.

So, you've convinced -1 people to do so so far. Well done.

[W12GT]

Greenish said:

A very sad story and sorry to hear. Did I read it that he may have been riding his bicycle with his dog in tow on a lead?

Yes I believe that to be the case but until the inquest we won't know. They haven't had the dog long - he is only a pup around 8months I think - albeit a big one; apparently he howled all night afterwards.

I know most of us have had near misses - I've come off several times and thought 'crikey that was close' but we still get on and ride again. Being a cyclist gives us freedom, an opportunity to explore and enjoy the world we live in from a different perspective. I know from this point on I will give a little thought to him every time I go out for a ride.

[benny.c]

paranoid airbag said:

Then he shouldn't kick one off should he?

Used to be "wearing a helmet" and "enjoying a ride" were things I can do. Thanks to emo bullst they're now mutually exclusive.

So, you've convinced -1 people to do so so far. Well done.

A wife has lost her husband and a child has lost its father, but you're moaning because you can't enjoy cycling anymore due to the helmet debate. Grow up you selfish prick and show some compassion. This clearly isn't the time or place.

[anonymous-user]

Sorry to hear about your friend OP but I've never understood why people think 'walking' their dog on a bike is a good idea.

[paranoid airbag]

benny.c said:

A wife has lost her husband and a child has lost its father, but you're moaning because you can't enjoy cycling anymore due to the helmet debate. Grow up you selfish prick and show some compassion. This clearly isn't the time or place.

No.

Post an opinion about what others should do, be prepared for them to disagree with you. If you're using an emotive event as a trojan horse for your opinion that's your fault.

And if you're really concerned, be prepared to accept all the consequences of your advice, not just the good ones. If there's one more grieving widow out there tomorrow it's the OP's fault, since without this post there might not have been.

Funnily enough I've lost mates both on a bike (wearing a helmet) and off (obesity, something I'll really need to enjoy cycling to ward off). I managed not to evangelise on the internet about it.

Edited by paranoid airbag on Sunday 24th August 20:13

[W12GT]

garyhun said:

Sorry to hear about your friend OP but I've never understood why people think 'walking' their dog on a bike is a good idea.

I completely agree and I always think people are mad to do it. But we all see risks differently and that variety in perception is what causes some to be worriers in life (me falling into that group) and those that are more care free and probably enjoy life more as they are lest restricted by their own worries. 'L' was in the last category and had a very relaxed viewpoint on life - this made him the diverse and special person that he was that always made you feel relaxed in his company. Every single time I was in his company I felt like a better person for it; I can only name a handful of people in my life that have made me feel that way and he was an extremely good neighbour that I am proud to have shared a friendship with.

[AndyWoodall]

Shame the dog was involved, just an unfortunate accident.

paranoid airbag said:

Used to be "wearing a helmet" and "enjoying a ride" were things I can do. Thanks to emo bullst they're now mutually exclusive.

I must be thick but I don't really follow this.

[paranoid airbag]

AndyWoodall said:

I must be thick but I don't really follow this.

I'd rather stay home and eat cake than "go out for a ride now", because it's impossible to visit a forum without aforementioned sermons telling you you're worse than Saville if you don't wear one... totally free choice of course.

And strapping on dorky and uncomfortable equipment (don't forget the hi-vis! and the whatever else we have to wear this week) is about as far as "going out for a ride" as imaginable.

[daddy cool]

paranoid airbag said:

I'd rather stay home and eat cake than "go out for a ride now", because it's impossible to visit a forum without aforementioned sermons telling you you're worse than Saville if you don't wear one... totally free choice of course.

And strapping on dorky and uncomfortable equipment (don't forget the hi-vis! and the whatever else we have to wear this week) is about as far as "going out for a ride" as imaginable.

Jesus Christ. Listen to yourself...

[BoRED S2upid]

Very sad and I bet it was at a low speed too.

In oz it's law to wear a helmet I can't see why it's not here as well.

[Lotus Notes]

paranoid airbag said:

I'd rather stay home and eat cake than "go out for a ride now", because it's impossible to visit a forum without aforementioned sermons telling you you're worse than Saville if you don't wear one... totally free choice of course.

And strapping on dorky and uncomfortable equipment (don't forget the hi-vis! and the whatever else we have to wear this week) is about as far as "going out for a ride" as imaginable.

I don't think your rant is welcome here..

[Fastpedeller]

I think it would be a wise move for a moderator to remove this thread, as comment are getting inappropriate and the helmet discussion has been covered in depth before.

[thiscocks]

Agree with paranoid airbag. If you don't even know all the details why on earth would you post this information on a public forum and turn it into a provocative post about helmet wearing? Sounds like the dogs fault anyway.