Some of you may know that I have enrolled in college to pursue a new career in engineering. Being this is my first sememster in 14 years I have to take everything over. In my english class I sit next to a 19 year old adolescent that seems to be pretty cool. We chat in class and what not. Anyhow when we get a day that is supposed to be about 60 in the afternoon i load up my heated gear and hit the road for work in the morning at 28 degrees. When i get off work I head to class on a beautiful afternoon. As Im parking my bike in the farthest stall from the school ( Butler CC has no motorcycle parking), up rolls a nice 2010 zx-10. He wheels in next to me in the same stall and i realize its Dillon from English. He's not wearing a helmet, however he is wearing a riding jacket.
So I figure its his own perogative right, but i couldnt help myself and i told myself I would only say it once, " Where the hell's your helmet!" Then I politely explained to him the importance of all the gear all the time even if its to hit the carwash 3 blocks from home. He said he understood, but it was just a short ride through town (Wichita Metro area). So it was cool that he wasnt offended by my speach about helmets, but I truely didnt think anything sank in...he was just 19 and all. So fast forward 4 weeks and we get some really nice weather. Surprise we both ride again and guess what he was wearing this time. Thats right his lid.
He told me that he actually thought about it that night when he got home and decided that I was older and wiser and was probably right about wearing the gear. He said he had not left the house without it since my little talk. he said he remembered his buddy that crashed on kellogg (busiest freeway in Wichita, ks) at 65 mph with no lid. he got very lucky an only had a few small bruises and no one ran him over.
Anyhow Im convinced that I have saved his life. Its only a matter of time before the accident happens. his buddies never wear helmets, so im sure that is why he didnt.
My neighbor was killed in a 2mph collision 3 blocks from home when he was bumped an knocked over. his head hit the concrete and they could not stop the internal sweeling of the brain. The bike had one scratch and he was unscathed except for his noggin.
So I figure its his own perogative right, but i couldnt help myself and i told myself I would only say it once, " Where the hell's your helmet!" Then I politely explained to him the importance of all the gear all the time even if its to hit the carwash 3 blocks from home. He said he understood, but it was just a short ride through town (Wichita Metro area). So it was cool that he wasnt offended by my speach about helmets, but I truely didnt think anything sank in...he was just 19 and all. So fast forward 4 weeks and we get some really nice weather. Surprise we both ride again and guess what he was wearing this time. Thats right his lid.
He told me that he actually thought about it that night when he got home and decided that I was older and wiser and was probably right about wearing the gear. He said he had not left the house without it since my little talk. he said he remembered his buddy that crashed on kellogg (busiest freeway in Wichita, ks) at 65 mph with no lid. he got very lucky an only had a few small bruises and no one ran him over.
Anyhow Im convinced that I have saved his life. Its only a matter of time before the accident happens. his buddies never wear helmets, so im sure that is why he didnt.
My neighbor was killed in a 2mph collision 3 blocks from home when he was bumped an knocked over. his head hit the concrete and they could not stop the internal sweeling of the brain. The bike had one scratch and he was unscathed except for his noggin.