I Was an asshole!

[joenali]

I was out doing my last long run today. I was doing part of my run on a multi use path. I was about 2 hours in and I saw these kids and maybe their baby sitter. And I started pointing to my head and yelling helmets! I know it's none of my business, but they were KIDs!!! Could you imagine your baby falling off their bike, no helmet and getting a brain injury and going from a normal class at school to a severe/profound special education classroom??? Uggghhh, it just pisses me off!!!

[aurora]

Your post made me chuckle a bit because I was just picturing a delirious runner, possibly suffering from heat stroke, running at a group of kids with their baby sitter, say, drawing with chalk while sitting on the side of the path, and pointing at her own head. I suspect an added phrase about the kids being on bikes with no helmets would have painted a clearer picture (though it can be surmised from later).

Anyway, I hope everyone got through the day without getting hurt and that the kids' parents get them to wear helmets in the future.

[chw57]

Isn't it against the law to not wear a helmet if you're under 18?

[hannahb]

I don't think you were an asshole. People are just stupid

[Deleted]

Wait, were they just riding bikes, or was the baby on the back of the sitter's bike?

[joenali]

Aug 5, 2013 20:44:28 GMT -5 @mjmksb04 said:

Wait, were they just riding bikes, or was the baby on the back of the sitter's bike?

No baby. Just kids with no helmets and babysitter too.

[emsumm]

Good for you. IDK wtf people are thinking when they don't put their kids in helmets. My kids wear them on their scooters and trikes, lol.

[emilyj]

We saw 2 parents out riding with their kid yesterday. Both adults had helmets. The kid did not. FAIL.

[trigal]

I also refuse to ride with anyone not wearing a helmet.

[gncorman]

Our niece and nephew will call out their friends if they don't wear a helmet when riding their bikes together. They have heard from us so many times to always wear your helmet. We have a neighbor that takes their grandchildren around the block on a four wheeler while holding them in one hand, steering with the other hand, no helmets! Same kids that ride their bikes and scooters with no helmets. It frustrates us as well. And I do believe it is against the law for children under 14 years of age.

[wambam]

I never wore a helmet as a kid

[penelope]

Aug 5, 2013 19:31:20 GMT -5 chw57 said:

Isn't it against the law to not wear a helmet if you're under 18?

Not in most states.  

www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/helmet_laws.html

[keweenawlove]

Someone's gotta teach them to wear a helmet!

[kams]

I have scars all over my forehead from not wearing a helmet as a kid. I could be dealing with far worse.

What is so hard about putting on an effing helmet?! I mean, REALLY what is so hard?

[wildfloweragain]

I can't stand helmets, so I don't ride a bike. (I don't like things on my head or neck.)

My kids always wear a helmet, even for the tricycle in our yard.

My best friend died in 4th grade from not wearing a helmet while riding her bike. She hit a parked car and then somehow slammed into her temple. I tell that story to my students every year.

[naldridge]

You weren't an asshole - good for you! I am paranoid about helmets as well, after a pretty severe accident in 4th grade. My bike went out of control going down a hill and my head bumped along the curb for a few feet. Post-concussion, the Dr. vetoed my going to Girl Scout Camp and I was crushed.

[breezy8407]

Related question:

I assume the answer is yes, but kids should be wearing helmets in Burleys and other bike trailers, correct?

I often see kids in Burleys not wearing helmets. We have a hand me down bike trailer, but I haven't even thought about using it because we don't have helmets for the kids yet.

[chw57]

Aug 6, 2013 8:21:16 GMT -5 penelope said:

Aug 5, 2013 19:31:20 GMT -5 chw57 said:

Isn't it against the law to not wear a helmet if you're under 18?

Not in most states.  

www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/helmet_laws.html

Oh. I'm in CA and here it's the law (and it also is in OR where I grew up). It looks like washington doesn't have the same law...(where those kids are)