The Railway Greenway in Richmond has had a positive effect with regards to cycling.
Family rides. I’ve seen an increase of families riding on the Greenway, and it’s a great sight: The little kids riding out in front with their helmets on, maybe even elbow pads, just in case, and the parents following behind, keeping watch and… not wearing helmets?
Before I go any further, I think a little information about me is needed, so you can understand my experience with what I want to talk about.
I’ve ridden 59,000 km in the last three years, with half of that being in Richmond. I volunteer to teach Grade 6 and 7 students cycling skills and safety, and I’m a father.
I’ve woken up early, ridden to Pemberton to have lunch, and then ridden right back home to have dinner.
I see a lot of Richmond, all the surrounding cities, and the people riding in them.
Of those 59,000 km, my helmet truly saved me one time. Here’s the kicker: I was less than 1 km from home, the road was empty, and I wasn’t even peddling. I was shifting my weight since my rear was a little sore after a long ride and my left peddle broke.
Me and my bike nose-dived to the left, and faster than you can say “pavement” my head hit the road hard enough to awaken an old concussion injury and crack my helmet from one side to the other.
I was able to walk away from it, but I can honestly say that was the least likely five seconds of riding I’ve ever done that I’d expect to crash.
Over the years, the two most common groups of people I see not wearing helmets are teenagers and then fathers out riding with children.
When I’m riding in Richmond, and especially along Railway, I pay particular attention to the cyclists I see.
Seeing the children with a parent who’s not wearing a helmet doesn’t make sense. There seems to be a lot of, “Do as I say, not as I do,” going on around here.
Also, moms, you’re not off the hook, either. While I see more moms wearing helmets than fathers, I still see too many parents without one.
If parents make their kids wear helmets, but don’t wear one themselves, could the child grow up into a teenager thinking they don’t need to wear one anymore either?
While lots of teens do wear helmets, in my travels, teens are the largest demographic to not wear one.
Without my helmet, I’m sure I would not have come home to my daughter that day in one piece.
Please, set a good example and don’t risk an avoidable head injury, especially in front of your kids.
Geordie McGillivray is an avid Richmond cyclist. His Saddle Up column appears regularly in the Richmond News.
