Increase in Bike Accidents

Regarding the upswing in bicycling (May 28): I have been a paramedic in Newport Beach for 12 years. In that time I have seen various accidents and injuries. Bicycle injuries are on the upswing. During the summer months it is not uncommon to go on four to five bicycle-related injuries in one shift. Most of these are caused by operator error. Usually not paying attention to what they are doing or riding a bike in a car lane in heavy traffic.

Most of the major accidents with bicyclists involve some type of head injury. Being top-heavy, when a bicyclist goes down, he goes down hard--and on his head.

A few years ago I responded to a 32-year-old man with a head injury resulting from trying to beat the traffic light. He didn’t make it. He died as a result of those head injuries. As young as he was, he also became an organ donor. This gentleman had been involved in two other bicycle accidents involving head injuries. One as recent as a month prior to this one. A $30 helmet would have saved his life and he could be back riding today.

In your article you mentioned the fact that helmets should be worn--but for a better picture, none was worn. Fifteen m.p.h. is high speed as far as a head injury is concerned. Even if you are not going that fast, other bicyclists are. Cars are often traveling 50-plus m.p.h. just 2 to 3 feet away. We have a saying about bicycle accidents. “They are usually young, healthy and brain-dead.” Just what is needed for a good organ donor.

Two weeks ago my neighbor showed up at my front door covered with blood. He could not remember what happened. He was bike riding alone and had no idea how long he had been unconscious. He was not wearing a helmet. I told him that he should not go to a walk-in clinic but to a hospital as he had a concussion and I was concerned with bleeding in the brain. He found out later that he had also broken both his elbows.

I ride several days a week. I have two children and when they ride they wear a helmet. Have fun on bicycles, but use your head. Wear a helmet and stay out of the way of traffic.

ROBERT A. PINGLE

El Toro