BikeWalkLee: Helmets: For all ages, at all times

BikeWalkLee Column ‘Go Coastal’
The News-Press, March 11, 2021
by Jody Van Cooney, Special to the News-Press

The Pilot Club of Fort Myers participates in
the Children's Network of Southwest Florida
annual "Walk." At a recent "Walk," Pilot Club
member Patsy Tortora is with a child who
has just been fitted properly with a bicycle helmet.

Bicycling has become an important means of transportation for both adults and children in Lee County. Helmets are an essential part of being on a bicycle (or any kind of wheels, such as skates, skateboards and scooters); it has been documented that wearing a helmet can save a life.

But, you say, “I don’t need to wear a bicycle helmet; I’m only riding in my community.” Would you rather have a messed-up hairdo or brain damage? Many bicyclists think that just because they’re biking in their own community, it’s not necessary to wear a helmet – they feel they’re invincible.

But crashes happen when least expected, and can occur riding around your home just as often as if you were on a long ride or going to work. There are bumps in the streets (or sidewalks) and an individual, no matter how experienced he or she is, can take a bad tumble! That helmet that wasn’t needed might be the reason the person survives the tumble.

Pilot Club member Diane Jensen fits a
bicycle helmet on a young boy during
a recent "End of School, Stop the
Violence" event. A state trooper is
observing the proper fitting technique.

Helmets should not be purchased or obtained just because the adult or child likes the color or shape! They must be fitted to the individual who will be wearing it. It’s also important that the helmet is worn properly; an improperly fitted or worn helmet is like no helmet at all.

Helmets need to be replaced periodically, especially for children as they grow and their heads increase in size. Bicycle helmets have an expiration date, typically five years after date of manufacture, tied to how the materials used in making the helmet can break down over time. Also, be careful in accepting a used helmet – and never purchase a helmet that’s been involved in a crash.

Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital recommends the following five steps in the proper procedure for fitting and wearing a bicycle helmet:

• The helmet should be level on the head.
• You should be able to place one or two fingers on the forehead between the bottom of the helmet and the eyebrow.
• The front and back straps should be equally tight and meet a “V” just below the ears.
• You should be able to fit one or two fingers between the chin and the chin strap.
• A proper fitting helmet will not move on your head.

Each year the Heights Foundation presents new bicycles
to selected students during the Christmas holiday
season. The Pilot Club coordinates fitting bicycle
helmets for those students. Here, Pilot Club member
Joy Augustine fits a helmet on a young student who
just received his bicycle.

A helmet worn at the back of the head won’t protect the bicyclist’s head (and brain); it must cover the front part of the forehead. Also the helmet should not be worn over something else (such as a baseball cap).

NOTE: Motorcyclists in Florida are especially vulnerable to traffic mishaps. That’s why they are required to wear helmets unless they have proof of $10,000 insurance in medical benefits, and they must be 21 years of age, to legally not wear a helmet.

The Injury Prevention Coalition of Lee County, in partnership with other nonprofit organizations, promotes safety in all walks of life. The Pilot Club of Fort Myers distributes (and fits) about 1,000 helmets at various children’s safety events each year under normal circumstances; these are provided at no charge. 

Jody Van Cooney serves as secretary for both the Injury Prevention Coalition of Lee County and the Pilot Club of Fort Myers.

EVENTS: Here’s the latest in organized running and biking events locally… but confirm with the organizers and be flexible in case conditions change and large-group activities are limited. Of course, wear a mask and act appropriate to your age, physical condition and medical concerns.

FORT MYERS TRACK CLUB (ftmyerstrackclub.com):

• Run for the Youth 5K, March 27, LCSO Central District
  
• Downtown Dash, 1-mile run/walk, in person in downtown Fort Myers Friday, April 16
• Head & Neck Cancer A Hard Thing to Swallow 5K Run & 2-Mile Walk (in-person and virtual), Saturday, April 24

GC RUNNERS (gcrunner.org):

• Baker Park 5K, Saturday, March 27
• Run for the Music 10K, Saturday, April 10
• SNIP Collier 5K, May 31
  

ELITE EVENTS (runeliteevents.com):

• Paradise Coast Half Marathon and 5K, Saturday, March 13
• Naples Distance Classic, 5K/10K/half marathon, Saturday, April 10
  
• City of Palms Half Marathon and 5K, TBD

OTHER RUNS

• Cape Coral Animal Shelter Rescue Run 5K (dogs welcome), Saturday, March 20, 3dracinginc.com.
• Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation Virtual 5K fun run/walk, March 27 - April 3 (virtual, runsignup.com)
  
• Publix Run to the Arts 5K run/walk – iin-person is now delayed to April 18 runsignup.com or runtothearts.com
  

OTHER RIDES

March: CSW Florida Bike Challenge. Individuals, workplaces and bike clubs can sign up to see how many miles they ride and how many people they can encourage to get out on their bikes. Miles add up to points, which add up to prizes. The challenge covers Central Southwest Florida (hence the CSW), from Polk County to Collier County, and kicks off March 1. Details are online at www.lovetoride.net/csw. 

March 14: CRBC-Trek-Member Appreciation Day/Royal Palm Challenge Ride. Caloosa Riders members only, limited to 100 riders (they may open it up to the public if they don’t hit the cap, but don’t count on it). Caloosahatchee Regional Park, Alva; 33, 45 and 60 mile rides, no support. 

The Caloosa Riders are offering member rides, but some are open to non-members (and it wouldn’t hurt you to join the club); check their ride calendar (caloosariders.org) for a description of the distance and speed, and to see if the ride is open to all.

SW Florida Critical Mass is offering their usual slate of family-friendly rides. Check out their line-up online (www.meetup.com/Biking-SWFL/events/) for details and times (and to make sure the ride is still rolling).

• SW Florida Critical Mass ride, first Friday of the month. A family-friendly slow night ride through Fort Myers. Front and rear bike lights required. Helmet and lights required, meet in the parking lot at 2180 West First Street, Fort Myers. 
• Sanibel Critical Mass night ride, second Saturday of the month. Gathers at Jerry’s Shopping Center, 1700 Periwinkle Way, on Sanibel. Lights required, helmets recommended.
• NE Lee Critical Mass ride, third Friday of the month. Gather in the Winn Dixie parking lot on Palm Beach Blvd. about five miles east of the Interstate; gather at 7 p.m. and roll at 7:30 p.m. for a slow ride through Fort Myers Shores.
• Cape Coral Critical Mass ride, fourth Friday of the month. Gather at the Southwest Florida Military Museum parking lot at 4820 Leonard Street for a family-friendly night ride through the Cape; helmets and lights required.
• Saturday Morning Slow Roll, fourth Saturday of the month. Meet-up at 2160 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. Recommended for inexperienced/young riders. Distance is 6 miles, includes group ride instruction.

If racing is not your thing but you’d like to support their return nonetheless, consider volunteering to help out at the few in-person offerings ahead. With Covid concerns still confining some of the usual volunteers, a few new helping hand would certainly be welcomed.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR RIDE:

Have a favorite route you like to bike, or a unique walk you’d like to share with others? Tell us about it at info@bikewalklee.org, and maybe we can feature it in an upcoming column.

# # #

Ken Gooderham writes this on behalf of BikeWalkLee, a community coalition raising public awareness and advocating for complete streets in Lee County — streets that are designed, built, operated and maintained for safe and convenient travel for all users: pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities. Information, statistics and background online at www.BikeWalkLee.org.