Again, wear your GEAR! (Proof from a bicycle accident)

[GLV55]

Here's another solid reason to wear your full gear when you go riding. My son-in-law was just going to take a quick bike ride with his dog on Saturday, so he just hopped on without a helmet, etc. After all, it was just a quick ride around the block to exercise the dog. Well, the dog spooked and turned right when the SIL was turning left, and he hit the pavement - hard! Here is a list of the damages to my son-in-law as a result of hitting the pavement at ONLY 15 MPH: broken collar bone in 2 places, broken sternum, major concussion, and big road rash on his scalp, shoulder, knuckles, knee, and ankles. He has had to make two trips to the ER and 2 appointments at specialists. He will be out of work at least 2 weeks followed by about a month of physical therapy. (The dog is fine, by the way.)

So, if all this damage can occur to the human body at 15 mph (which our scooters hit with a tiny twist of the wrist), let it be a good motivator for us all to always gear up before riding, even if it's just a short little trip. I want all of you to be safe and have a great time on your scooter, but PLEASE take all the necessary precautions. ATGATT, my friends!!

[PaulF]

Thanks for the reminder, easy to forget how fragile we really are.   I was riding today at 60 kms (40 mph) and it started to rain.  I was only wearing my open face helmet and the rain hitting my face really stung.  Made me think it water was hurting this much at that speed then what would the road do it I had a spill.

Paul

[GLV55]

I know what you mean, PaulF. I have had bugs hit my visor that would have taken my eye out, and some that have put a serious welt on my chest even through my jacket. If a little bug hurts that badly, I never want to find out how the pavement feels!

[chaz35]

Good reminder, ATGATT.  Actually, riding a bicycle is probably more dangerous than riding a scooter.  Anyway, that's what I think when I am out seeing many bicycle riders looking like they are training for the Tour de France.  Cheers

[Mr. Paul]

I mountain bike and use to road bike. I quit road biking. I too believe it is more dangerous than scooters. You have less protection, are at the complete mercy of oncoming cars, and I have hit close to 50 mph on a downhill. It is not unusual to cruise at 30 in a tight group. Mountain biking is still a little risky, but NOTHING like road biking. I know what two wheel crashes can do. I wear my gear.

[GLV55]

I mountain bike and use to road bike. I quit road biking. I too believe it is more dangerous than scooters. You have less protection, are at the complete mercy of oncoming cars, and I have hit close to 50 mph on a downhill. It is not unusual to cruise at 30 in a tight group. Mountain biking is still a little risky, but NOTHING like road biking. I know what two wheel crashes can do. I wear my gear.

My daughter-in-law used to race bikes with sponsorship in both road and mountain bike venues. Now she only races mountain bikes for the same reasons. In fact, the very same day my son-in-law had his accident, she was racing and also took a bad spill. But because she had a full-face helmet and complete padding, she only had a few bruises and bumps. If you're on two wheels it's best to wear all that gear!

[ScooterWolf]

When I was 14 I was riding down hill on a 10 speed I had gotten for my birthday. As I pedaled I shift gears until I was doing about 30. That's when I found out that the bike had a defective weld on the right pedal. It drop off on a down stroke causing me to flip over on to my side.

This was in the early 80's before the age of mandatory helmet laws for kids. I skidded 100 feet spinning in a circle before coming to a stop. 3rd degree burn/keloid scar on my right shoulder, and smaller ones on my knee, knuckles  and elbow. Fracture skull, and a major concussion. Had I been on a heavier bike, like a scooter, I'm sure my injures would have been worse.

Wear your gear whenever you get a chance.

- Wolf

[GLV55]

When I was 14 I was riding down hill on a 10 speed I had gotten for my birthday. As I pedaled I shift gears until I was doing about 30. That's when I found out that the bike had a defective weld on the right pedal. It drop off on a down stroke causing me to flip over on to my side.

This was in the early 80's before the age of mandatory helmet laws for kids. I skidded 100 feet spinning in a circle before coming to a stop. 3rd degree burn/keloid scar on my right shoulder, and smaller ones on my knee, knuckles  and elbow. Fracture skull, and a major concussion. Had I been on a heavier bike, like a scooter, I'm sure my injures would have been worse.

Wear your gear whenever you get a chance.

- Wolf

Another great example of what happens without gear. Wow, you really got it good, Wolf. Glad you survived and came out of it okay!

[ScooterWolf]

Yeah, all my worst crashes have been on 2-wheels. Still, I've bounced backed each time. The lesson learned is to wear my gear, no matter the distance you go, or the day's temperature.

One of my students whose mom works in a hospital told me of a term they use -- De-gloved. It's a description of what happens to a person's skin when they're in a crash and not wearing any protective gear. That alone makes me consider my level of protection.

- Wolf

[Kymsec99]

Yep, thats nasty for 15mph and hope he heals quickly.
I had my front wheel tuck under me at 5mph! No damage to bike. I landed on my right forearm/elbow...just a slight sprain/stiffness - no pain.
But I quickly realised if it were at 12, 15 or more mph, something could have broke.
At age 50, I really don't want that...longer healing time!
I have a fullface helmet (mandatory here) a bright yellow bib, but thats it for now!
Really need a leather jacket and limb protection (I HAVE ASKED PEOPLES VIEWS ON LIMB GEAR IN ANOTHER THREAD IN ROADCRAFT). So I limit my riding to the bare minimum for now.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Yep, thats nasty for 15mph and hope he heals quickly.
I had my front wheel tuck under me at 5mph! No damage to bike. I landed on my right forearm/elbow...just a slight sprain/stiffness - no pain.
But I quickly realised if it were at 12, 15 or more mph, something could have broke.
At age 50, I really don't want that...longer healing time!
I have a fullface helmet (mandatory here) a bright yellow bib, but thats it for now!
Really need a leather jacket and limb protection (I HAVE ASKED PEOPLES VIEWS ON LIMB GEAR IN ANOTHER THREAD IN ROADCRAFT). So I limit my riding to the bare minimum for now.

Save up for the best leather (in impact areas) jacket with armored  joints.
You won't  need it until you need it.
Stig

[GLV55]

UPDATE: Things were much worse than first suspected, and my son-in-law did have to have surgery to correct the problems. He now has a plate and 9 screws to put his collar bone back together, along with repairs to the large ligament in the shoulder. He has to wear the special sling for at least 2 months, and will be doing physical therapy for at least 3 months, and can't go back to work (MRI & X-ray tech) for 3 months. On the bright side, he has fully recovered from the concussion and has no lasting effects from that part of the whole fiasco. He wishes he could go back and take 3 extra minutes to put on some gear! Thanks, everyone, for the support and prayers!

[ScooterWolf]

Glad to hear your son-in-law is better. Sounds like he’s learned, if not the hard way. Collar bone breaks are rough. I have a friend who broke her’s in a roller derby match. Had to get the same thing - plates, screws and a sling to wear for months.

- Wolf