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.

 

 

BikeWalkLee: Risk vs. responsibility

BikeWalkLee Column ‘Go Coastal’
The News-Press, January 28, 2021
by Ken Gooderham

Image: The News-Press

I believe people have the inalienable right to be stupid – as long as the only person you put at risk is yourself.

But if anyone else could be harmed by your actions (or inactions), then you put aside vanity or politics or whatever else is motivating you, and worry about the greater good.

Right off, let me reassure you this isn’t about masks… an issue where the only consideration should be scientific. Instead, this is inspired by something only slightly less contentious: Bike helmets.

Most cyclists have an opinion about helmets… and sometimes (but not always) those opinions are even supported by facts.

There are riders who are vociferously pro-helmet, and others equally as energized against them. Sometimes, amazingly enough, both sides are using the same argument to make their case.

Take safety, as one example. The pro-helmet proponents rightly claim that helmets can reduce the chances of brain injuries resulting from accidents. The anti-helmet response is that helmets might help in low-impact interactions but don’t really matter in a high-impact crash (think moving vehicle vs. cyclist).

Pros say helmet use lessens rider risk. Antis say requiring helmets drive people away from cycling – which increases risk overall since cycling in general is safer if there are more cyclists on the road to remind motorists to be careful.

Pros say helmet use promotes safe cycling. Antis retort that helmets can create a false sense of safety, which can result in more aggressive cycling that’s ultimately more risky.

Antis also point to the preponderance of non-helmeted cyclists in Europe, where cycling is considerably safer than in the U.S. Pros point out that drivers and roadways in Europe are more cycling-friendly, and infrastructure plays a BIG role in bike safety.

Antis also note that there are many other activities cyclists routinely undertake (such as riding with earphones) that put them at far more risk than no wearing a helmet. Pros agree, but argue that wearing a helmet AND not doing the other risky stuff is an even smarter way to ride.

All this brings me back to my opening statement: People have the inalienable right to be stupid.

If you, as an adult cyclist, simply cannot abide the thought of wearing a helmet – don’t. That’s your choice.

But if that’s a risk you’re willing to take, then you take responsibility for it as well.

What you don’t get to do, however, is to push that responsibility for risk onto others.

If you are participating in an organized ride or group event where helmets are required, shut up and put one on. Those event organizers are liable for your safety, at least while you’re part of their activity, and their insurers and sanctioning bodies almost certainly require anyone participating wear a helmet – to hopefully reduce the risk and lower the liability.

If you are a parent, put helmets on your kids when they ride. Not only is it the law (in Florida, for any cyclist under age 16), it’s also a way to protect your kids and their young-and-growing (we hope) brains. And while we’re getting legal, it’s also against the law to ride while using earphones or headsets.

Finally, if you’re trying to be a responsible rider, you may at least want to adjust your helmet attitude to the circumstances around you.

I ride a couple of times each week on a variety of road and path types, from on-road bike lanes to very protected neighborhood streets. Out in serious traffic, most cyclists you see are wearing helmets. On the quiet low-speed streets, most cyclists are not.

Whether it’s the perception of risk and safety – wear a helmet when riding in or close to serious traffic, don’t when the vehicles around you are less and slower – even if the reality doesn’t match up, I can’t say… and, frankly, I don’t care. That’s your choice as a cyclist.

You just need to take responsibility for that choice, whatever the consequences.

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, condition and medical concerns.

FORT MYERS TRACK CLUB (ftmyerstrackclub.com):

• Strides for Education 5K, Florida Southwestern State College, Saturday, Feb. 6 (in-person and virtual).
• Downtown Dash, 1-mile run/walk, in person in downtown Fort Myers, Friday, April 16.
  

GC RUNNERS (gcrunner.org):

• Run for the Paws 5K, Saturday, Jan. 30 (in-person and virtual only).
• Naples Golden Eagle 5K, Saturday, Feb. 13, Lowdermilk Park, Naples.
  

ELITE EVENTS (runeliteevents.com):

• Venice Half Marathon and 5K, Saturday, Feb. 13.
• City of Palms Half Marathon and 5K, TBD.
  
• Paradise Coast Half Marathon and 5K, Saturday, March 13.
  

OTHER RUNS

• Busey Bank Run for Prevention 5K run/walk, in-person on Sunday, Jan. 30, at Jaycee Park (runsignup.com) or virtual. 
• Cape Coral Animal Shelter Rescue Run 5K (dogs welcome), Saturday, March 20, 3dracinginc.com.
  
• Publix Run to the Arts 5K run/walk – in person on Feb. 7, 2021, or virtual Jan. 30-Feb. 7 runsignup.com or runtothearts.com
• Running Into 2021 Like…. virtual 5K/4 Mile/10K/1 Mile fun run, through Jan. 31, Supporting Pace Center for Girls. runsignup.com
  

CYCLING

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 Tuesday 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.

 

 

Love your brain? Wear a helmet!

BWL News-Press article, 10/13/2016
by Ken Gooderham

Love to bike? Love your brain? Then grab a helmet every time you head out for a ride.

Simply put, it’s the best thing you can do to help make your biking safe. Even the venerable “Consumer Reports” says so… right along with where they say when it comes to sports-related head injuries seen in emergency rooms, there are more caused by bicycling than even from football.

The magazine also cites studies that found you can cut your risk of severe injury by 58% if you wear a helmet while biking, or that 60% of those who died in 2014 from bike accidents were not wearing a helmet.

And it’s not just wearing a helmet, but wearing it properly (which is also covered in this article). That means having forward on your head, tight enough to stay in place and strapped right to stay balanced. (Most bike shops are happy to both sell you a helmet and fit it for you as well, since repeat business is improved if you can keep your customers alive and healthy.)

This being ‘Consumer Reports’, they also rate the safest choices or best buys – but money doesn’t necessarily buy you better protection. Almost any helmet will improve your safety, although you may want to check the date inside the helmet; one rule of thumb has been that a helmet more than five years old loses some of its protective capacity. (And if you can’t read the date on the label, that’s probably a good sign the helmet has a number of years and miles on it.)

You don’t have to wear a bike helmet in Florida… unless you’re under age 16, when it is required by state law. A helmet may also be required to participate in organized rides or races, where the organizers want to protect you (and themselves) from potential injuries or are required to mandate helmets as part of their sanctioning or insurance.

Otherwise, it’s your choice to wear a helmet while biking. Many people don’t, for a variety of reasons (most of them not very good ones). Helmets are lighter and better ventilated than any hat, and come in enough styles and shades to suit any taste. Don’t think they’re cool? Neither is a traumatic brain injury.

If you want to ignore the studies and statistics – and the fact that most serious cyclists and all pro riders wear them – fine. But if you love your bike and you love your brain, why wouldn’t you grab a helmet when you grab your bike?


Breakdown service for your bike

All you AAA members out there who also like to cycle, good news: The Florida branch of the auto club has expanded its roadside assistance service to include bicycle breakdowns. Just call them and a technician will pick you up and take you and your bike wherever you want to go… your car, your bike shop or your home. It’s included on all levels of AAA membership, but you do need to be accessible from a road or parking lot – so you off-roaders may be in for a walk. Find out more at aaa.com/bicycle.

If you want bike and auto or just bike-only assistance, that’s also available from Better World Club, which promotes its eco-friendly stance as well as its AAA-comparable services. They offer a lot of bike information as well as insurance, and coverage includes the U.S. and Canada (in case you’re planning a longer bike ride in the future). Details at betterworldclub.com/roadside-assistance/bicycle-roadside-assistance.


Ready to ride or run?
Run? Longer races rule this weekend, with the 10K Race 4 FISH on Sanibel Oct. 15 (ftmyerstrackclub.com) and the Rocktoberfest 10 Miler & 2x5 Mile Relay at North Collier Regional Park (eliteevents.org). If you want even more distance, on Oct. 22 there’s the Race The Roof 15K run, 5K run/walk and tot trot at the Verandah Community east of Fort Myers (ftmyerstrackclub.com), and the Gulf to Gulf 80-mile Relay that starts and ends at Cambier Park in downtown Naples, goes through Bonita Springs and Fort Myers Beach, with a turnaround at the Sanibel Causeway (gcrunner.org).

Ride? A temporary gap in the popular Critical Mass rides is being filled on Oct. 23 by the Tour for Epilepsy (15-, 30- and 62-mile rides, starts/ends at Coastline Cyclery, 10676 Colonial Blvd, Unit 50, Fort Myers -- caloosariders.org) and the Tour de North Port (15-, 35- and 65-mile rides plus 25-mile “Gravel Grinders” off-road ride) Info on both at caloosariders.org . The Critical Mass rides return Oct. 28-29, so don’t despair.

 # # # 

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.



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.

Helmets Given to Kids at Cape Coral Austen Youth Center Fair

It was a Very Successful Health, Fun, and Fitness Fair held at the Wm. "Bill" Austen Youth Center in Cape Coral on Saturday, April 14^th. Many kids of all ages were invited to attend from neighboring schools in Cape Coral to have fun & learn about fitness, health and safety.

Mary Orselli Ossichak, co-owner of Hollywood Bike Shop, located at 2728 Santa Barbara Blvd in Cape Coral, generously donated her time to help fit about 60 bicycle helmets on kids ages 1-16. Mary has over 23 of experience and is active in helping out with community events such as the Bike Rodeo that was held at Oasis Elementary School earlier in Feb.

This was the first time Holly Ford initiated a helmet distribution, and she hopes to have similar events in the future. Holly lost her son when he was riding a bike and was hit by a car. She says, "a helmet could save your child's life." She is donating her time and effort to helping the area kids. She doesn't want any parent to suffer what she has gone through and hopes to continue the program with the youth center. She says any child or teen needing a bicycle helmet should have one. Florida law requires that a child up to age 16 wear a helmet while riding a bicycle. Many parents and kids are unaware of the law.

Contact her if your child needs a bicycle helmet: SideWalks4Kids@mail.com
Website: www.SideWalks4Kids.com

Report submitted by Steve Chupack, BWL's Cape Coral Representative

Letter to Editor: Don't forget helmet

Letters to Editor—News-Press 11/17/10
Don't forget helmet
Re: “Signs to protect bicyclists, walkers on Cape Coral roadway,” Nov. 3. As an instructor of first aid and emergency response programs, I was pleased to see Cape Coral’s warning signage cautioning drivers to “Look Both Ways For Bikes/Peds.” It was of interest to read that the pictured bike rider, Louie De Simone, rides his bike 20 miles a day, six days a week and was “almost hit by a driver using a cell phone.” May I suggest to Mr. De Simone to start wearing a helmet, which was apparently absent in the subject picture.

STANLEY BARTON
Fort Myers

Cape Coral police hand out bicycle helmets to kids

Kudos to the Cape Coral Police for providing free helmets to kids riding bikes without helmets. Check out the News-Press story:

News-Press 9/24/10
By Andrea Jackson • ajackson@news-press.com

Cape Coral police Officer Matt Squires has yet to ticket a child for not wearing a helmet because he has another way to enforce the law.

Inside his trunk, Squires had about seven helmets - big and small, for boys and girls - but gave them all away.

They were part of a batch of 100 helmets that the Epilepsy Foundation gave to the department. Three dozen are left that police can still give out, authorities said.

Pedaling without a helmet can carry a ticket, and a fine of $57.50 for people under 16, or police can just issue a warning.

"The goal is to make sure kids are safe," said Squires.

It's not something police want to punish. They want to increase awareness.
Click here to continue reading.

Saved by my helmet!

Letter to Editor—Island Reporter
Published August 19, 2010

Saved by my helmet!
If you ever doubted the importance of wearing a helmet at all times while biking, believe me, it can save your life. I am a daily rider on Sanibel's paths and am very focused on safety as one of the leaders of BikeWalkLee, a community coalition working to make Lee County a bike/ped-friendly community. On Sunday, August 8th, I was on a bike ride around the island and over the Sanibel bridges, then back on Sanibel coming down the path on Periwinkle Way when I had a nasty bike crash. I came around the curve on the path right before the crosswalk on Donax and Periwinkle, and saw a car coming towards the crosswalk at full speed, so I slammed on my brakes to avoid getting hit by the car. Unfortunately, I managed to flip over my handlebars head first, landing with full force on the back of my head. If I had not had my helmet on, I would have had a serious head injury. Instead of a debilitating injury, I just have some lacerations and stitches. The Sanibel Police, EMS, Fire Department and then the Health Park emergency room all responded quickly and made sure I was OK.

So, next time you hop on your bike on Sanibel, remember my story and wear your helmet...even in off-season and even on a short neighorhood ride. Yes, even on Sanibel wearing a helmet can save your life!

As I was counting my lucky stars this week, I read the August 12th Island Reporter article, "Bike riders after dark safety risk to walkers," and realized there are really two take-away messages from my crash. In addition to encouraging everyone to wear a helmet while biking, all of us need to be reminded that pedestrians and cyclists have the right-of-way at crosswalks. Over the past 10 years that I've lived on Sanibel, I've noticed an increasing lack of compliance with this law. Whether it's a function of our culture's growing lack of common courtesy or our increasing distraction while driving with cellphones, the fact is that residents and visitors alike don't yield to pedestrians and cyclists in the crosswalks like they used to. I cross Periwinkle at the Dixie Beach intersection several times a day on my bike and I'm amazed that it often takes 3-4 cars before a motorist will yield to me in the crosswalk...and I'm not shy about asserting that I have the right-of-way. Most cyclists and pedestrians on the island would tell you they've noticed the same trend. It would help if there was some periodic enforcement of the crosswalk laws by the Sanibel Police. Since there's no penalty for not yielding, cars have gotten more and more in the habit of "running the crosswalk". For a pedestrian or cyclist that's akin to having a car run a red light. But the problem isn’t simply a matter of enforcement. Every one of us has a responsibility to follow the laws that are intended to keep all of the road and path users safe.

Our path system is an island treasure for both residents and visitors and safety should be a top priority. So, please, when you're driving around Sanibel, yield to the pedestrians and cyclists at the crosswalks...it's the considerate thing to do, it's the law, and it might just be your friend, neighbor or grandchild. And don’t forget to tell everyone to wear a helmet when they’re riding a bike!

Darla Letourneau