A video appeal from James: Use your head Use your helmet.

20/07/2011

Comments

• I believe it should be any sport which you need to wear a helmet should be made law in the UK.
  This is a cause I really believe in. My younger brother fell off his skateboard and wasnt wearing a helmet. He was rushed to hosptial and was in a intensive care unit, with serious head injuries. He and an emergancy operation to remove a section of his skull, to realise pressure so his brain has chance to swell. The section that was removed will be replaced with a titanium metal plate. He also has a large fracture in his skull and had bleeding around the brain. He is a real fighter and is slowly getting better but has a really long way to go. When he does speak to us his personality has changed and he has lossed his short term memory. It needs to be made aware of and i am doing a lot of research to how this can be done. Good luck with your recovery and the appeal
  Sally
  Sally Jefferson
• As many others have stated, a very powerful video, and I'm sure that we all wish James a speedy and full recovery.
  
  But, he is sponsored by the helmet manufacturer, the details of the collision are unknown, and his coma was medically induced.
  
  Nowhere with a helmet law or massive rise in helmet wearing because of propaganda campaigns like this, can show any reduction in risk to cyclists, despite more than 20 years of evidence. So, at a population level, for every life they save, they must kill another. What is the point in wearing something which all the reliable evidence shows has a 50:50 chance of killing you or saving you?
  
  This video is indeed very powerful, but it's just anecdote. The facts should guide our behaviour, not emotions.
  Richard Burton
• james,
  So pleased you are raising awareness of the dangers of cycling without a helmet.
  I wish cycling magazines would stop publishing pros riding in caps and beenies.
  you are an inspiration mate!
  
  So pleased you are doing well
  
  Rob
  Rob Smith
• Hi James - really appreciate you bringing this issue out into the open. Having lost a brother in a bike accident (an accident doctors advised he would have survived had he worn a helmet) I am obsessive about my children wearing helmets when they are out on their bikes. The problem is we are in the minority and now my 11 year-old has decided to stop cycling to school as he is the only one wearing a helmet. He will now have to catch the bus - counter-intuitive to the usual health argument thrown out by the medical world.
  Good luck with the campaign - with you all the way.
  Graeme Evans
• James, I now live in New Zealand and cycle helmet wearing is compulsory, by law. So your best solution is to start a lobbying campaign on politicians to introduce a bill to Parliament to do the same for the UK. Start with the e-petitions website http:// epetitions.direct.go v.uk/. We'll all help you share the news to get signatories.
  Best wishes, Rebecca
  Rebecca Caroe Rowperfect
• But James...you are paid to do this, you are sponsored your helmet provider....no agenda?...being paid to promote something and saying your not is corrupt...there is no conclusive proof either way on helmets saving lives. In yours it may have done, but how can i trust you when you are paid by a helmet manufacturer... james cracknell says wear a helmet, sponsored by Alpina...helmet manufactures...
  Rob Bushill
• I had an accident in feb this year hitting a pot hole on my road bike on a round about I was doing about 24 mph and still soughing out the shoulder injury sustained my helmet was worn in part right through and the straps pulled through to the lining all down one side where it dragged on the tarmac whilst i was out cold my head not a scratch ! But I am certain I would have died had it not been on. I had ridden regularly with no helmet but never again ! I've kept the helmet as a reminder.
  Gary Major
• Having been hit by a vanturning left into my path and having no option but to ride into the side my helmet saved a nasty side full head hit. My shoulder and back took quite an impact but my helmet saved the knock out blow. A helmet is not to inspire confidence in riding on the road but to save heads against damage whcih can be avoided. I witnessed another incident a few days ago where by a car turned into the path of a cyclist who went straight into the back of the vw golf head first. What saved him - the helmet. Had he not worn it I do not want to think of the scaring and damage. Wear a helmet, be seen and be safe.
  Graeme Blackmore
• James
  I had an accident nearly five years ago now, car pulled across in front of me when I was on my road bike doing about 23mph I "T" Boned it, chin hit the roof, shoulder went through the side window, and wrote the side of the car off, I went over the roof, landed on my head.
  I was knocked out until the ambulance crew turned up, 40 stitches in my chin; it was down to the bone, concussed, whiplash, smashed teeth.
  My helmet was smashed, and I had a small cut above my left eye! I believe It saved my life.
  Everyone I cycle with now wears a helmet, even if it messes with their hair!
  David
  David Epps
• James, I am a 41 year old psychologist with a young family, myself recovering from severe bacterial meningitis for which I was hospitalised, at death's door, back in December 2009. As I got to a point of getting out of bed, and back into work in a way, I read about your accident in July 2010 on teletext. And then when you've done your challenges since, I've thought about how you probably don't feel so good, but no-one really notices and assumes you are better? I guess, in my own way, I consider myself a 'tough' guy too - pretending things are okay. And then I noticed, on the internet, an article that had appeared in the Telegraph which had a slightly despondent tone to it. (from some time ago, now). Obviously, as you are no doubt aware, everybody's brain injury is different. Mine is primarily down the right side of my brain (and caused by oxygen deprivation to that part, rather than bleeding onto it). But I did want to let you know that, hey, I am still getting better, now over 18 mont
  Matthew Estill
• Anyone who knows anything about health and safety knows that personal protective equipment (PPE) is a last resort. More important are preventative measures, for example, in the case of cycling: road craft, the roads you choose to cycle on, the time of day you cycle, the type of cycle events you choose to pursue. James may not score very well on these risk factors: I don't know about his road craft, but he was on Route 66 (very busy on many stretches), he was riding in early morning light (5am), and he was doing an endurance event, which is inherently risky, particularly if you are separated from your support vehicle. The helmet saved James life, true, but it didn't prevent serious injury; hence, it's also important to look at those other risk factors before singly emphasising the importance of helmets.
  John Lambert
• Hi James,
  Great message and great video. I am amazed at the number of avid cyclists that still go without a helmet. Simply, accidents cannot always be prevented and if you cycle long enough you will likely have one. I was hit from behind earlier this year while spinning my legs out after a training ride on a quiet village road. I impacted on the back of my head, shattering the rear of my helmet. When I looked at it after I got home, I realized just how lucky I was and how the outcome would have been far worse. My wife arrived at the scene extremely shaken after seeing me being attended to by the paramedics. I am so thankful she didn't have to witness a more distressing scene.
  
  While your message will not get through to everyone, it will, without a doubt, allow a few cyclists like myself to be thankful they put a lid on.
  
  Darren Garlish
  Darren Garlish
• Use your head - use a rear light that gives an impression of width: multiple LEDs. Not just a single LED strobe. Let's talk about what the Discovery channel documentary never dealt with: how could this have been prevented from happening in the first place.
  William N
• Hi James i was watching your adventure on discovery across the US and i am was gutted with what happened after the amount of immense work you put in..I genuninely wish you all the best and a speedy recovery..I live in London and would love to be able to help in anyway..
  Mahesh
  Mahesh Chugani
• A positive and important message. I have always worn a helmet when cycling no matter if i am just going a couple of miles or on a long ride. i insist that my children wear a helmet they are 6 and 2, if they don't wear their helmet they don't go out on their bikes or in the trailer that i attach to my bike. But what does annoy me is when you see families out on a bike ride and the children wear a helmet but the parents don't do the parents think that only the children could fall off their bikes and injure themselves. if you can make your children wear a helmet then you wear a helmet. this is my view and others may or not agree with this.
  stuart nicholson
• James, I knew you for a short period of time (GB trials and Junior World Champs 1990) you were always motivated and driven. I watched your clip with my Mum, both of us with tears in our eyes. Your campaign in noble and essential. I work as a teacher now and marvel at kids reluctance to wear a helmet. A head injury is life changing. I know that you have the determination to work through the difficult days and savour the good days. Keep up the Stirling work and I wish you and your family all the best.
  Sally Scott nee Hart
• Very powerful video, James! Beats me why anyone taking part in a sport wouldn't want to wear the correct safety equipment for that sport. Simple!
  Keep up the great work & all the best with your ongoing recovery.
  Sylvia hadley
• Hi James (and others),
  
  I've seen the video
  I've read some (not all) of the comments posted.
  
  1st off I'd like to say how much of an inspiration James is to myself and many others. I cant even pretend to be near the levels of effort and dedication James puts in on one of his bad days. I am completely at awe when I see or read about the various performances.
  
  2nd I'm reading more than a few well meaning but somewhat misguided (in my opinion) comments on how the Helmet video and James' horrific accident discourages people from cycle. Anybody with a small bit of sense will be able to understand that if you are to have an accident - you're probably going to be better off with a bit of protection than without. Furthermore I see a few comments on how helmets "cause accidents" - If a helmet is ill fitting or annoying -STOP & adjust! If adjustment is attempted while riding it's not the helmet causing the accident, it's the rider.
  Another "argument" brought forward went along the line
  Janus Johansen
• I just want to say thank you for this video
  You should really take this message around schools. I work in a school and I am amazed how many children don't wear helmets to school but especially after doing the week cycling course! We have a rule in our house that our children are not even allowed to sit on their bikes standing still without a helmet on. I am just buying a bike today (my first for over 30 years) to get fit and hopefully lose some weight and I've bought a helmet. Who cares what you look like as long as you're protected. Good luck and wishing you well to a full recovery.
  Rachel Joyner
• Aloha James,
  Thank you for your powerful message! I don't agree that you are making cycling out to be more dangerous than it actually is or scaring people from it. Many sports, cycling, surfing, skating, etc. come with certaing dangers or risks. People must use commmon sense and take appropriate precautions. It amazes me when I see po
  Kim Mufalli
• Aloha James,
  Thank you for your powerful message. I always wear a helmet when cycling and encourage others to do the same. I don't agree with the comments exressed that you are scaring people or making cycling out to be more dangerous than it really is. There are risks involved when riding a bike, when
  Kim Mufalli
• I love in Australia where it is compulsory to wear a helmet and continually get the same, more people would ride bikes if they did not have to wear helmets rubbish.
  
  honestly people that say that just need to grow up. it is a pathetic excuse. it does not stop people getting on bikes because if that is there excuse if the helmet was excused then they would find another one.
  
  lets do away with those uncomfortable seat belts while we are at it.
  David
• Very powerful stuff indeed. As a cyclist I've been hit off a couple of times, and it just goes to show the importance of these simple bits of polestyrene. Perhaps you can extend the importance of ski helmets aswell, in my eyes of equal importance. Keep up the hard work, speedy recovery
  Chris Green
• Great video. I am a student at Cambridge so am on my bike every day- and wearing my helmet. When I was young I fell off my bike whilst on a short cycle ride to my friend's house, hit my head on the edge of the curb, and had I not been wearing a helmet then my injuries would have been a lot worse than just needing stitches in my cheek.
  I wish you a good recovery.
  Susannah
• Hello James.
  
  Just been reading the article on page 9 in the independent, I cannot believe it says "Cycle helmets should not made compulsory, according to medical experts" why on earth would this be said!
  
  I was involved in a cycle crash, this caused a blood clot, fractures and other issues. If I was not wearing a helmet I would have not survived.
  
  Craig
  Craig G Cooper
• James the telegraph today is running this story.
  Bicycle helmets should not be compulsory, say doctors - Telegraph http://t.co/5pw2K6i via @Telegraph I posted your video on the comments section a quote from your website. I hope that's OK? Thanks happy cycling :) Steve
  Steve Sarsfield
• I completely understand the motives for putting up such a video. I used to wear a helmet, but now I choose not to.
  James's case is a relatively rare one. Most collisions
  Pedestrians are more likely than cyclists, as Andrew says, so if think it is "irresponsible".
  Your video is powerful and well-produced and, while well-intentioned, actually serves to scare people off their bikes.
  Why not produce a video targeted at the drivers, advocating greater overtaking space? That's the real problem here, the case of the helmet is a distraction at best.
  Tim Cramshaw was "riding on the trails", which isn't the same as riding in the street. Off-road cycling does have an increased risk of head injury (you're much more likely to go over the handlebars).
  There is even evidence to suggest that wearing a helmet may increase your chances of having an accident.
  If you want to wear a helmet and it makes you feel safer, fine, but by promoting cycle helmets you are actually discouraging cycling. I c
  Jon
• Hi James, I see you've not posted my first comment - what did I say that was so offensive as to deserve censorship? That the CTC and other major cycling organisations oppose helmets? I wonder why?
  
  What your video does - deliberately or not - is portray cycling as dangerous, and that's no good for anyone - we have enough overweight, inactive kids in the UK without parents seeing your video and refusing to let their kids cycle as a result. Cycling is just as safe as walking or driving.
  
  I hope you find it possible to allow a more balanced view into this important discussion.
  
  Cheers
  
  Mike
  Mike Stead
• Hi James,
  
  The video message says it all I think, whenever I now drive to work and see people without one I just want to stop and explain the dangers of cycling without a helmet.
  
  It's hard as I want to go cycling with my 2 year old but he can't get on the child seat until he wears a cycle helmet, getting him to try it on it's perhaps a whole difference challenge than i expected.
  
  Hope the recovery is going well, take care
  
  Dan
  Dan Skidmore
• Hi James , powerful video !
  May we have permission to consider featuring your helmet video on our website www.iam.org.uk - we have an area dedicated to cycling safety, including a book based mainly on cycling safely "How to be a better cyclist?" , can drop a copy in if you like (we are based in Chiswick).
  Regards
  Colin
  Director of Marketing & Communications
  Colin Paterson
• James thanks for the great Video and I wish you a soeedy recovery Mate. I'm also living proof that Helmets work....I went head first into the Tarmac at 25 mph 2 years ago and along with a broken neck..5 fractured vertebrae in my spine and 3 Brain hemorrages I almost didn't make it...
  I was left with short term memory loss and concentration problems but over time the Brain does heal itself with therapy so hang in there Matie. And remember everyone to wear a helmet no matter what kind of bike you ride or how fast or far your gonna ride it....wear your fackin helmet....
  Peter Y
• James, I watched this the other day then tweeted and put it on facebook immediately. It's a very good video, thanks for putting it together.
  I wear my helmet everyday. I was out for a ride on the trails on Tuesday night and went over the bars, landing on my head like a dart. It really hurt my head, neck, back and glutes as the jolt went down my body. But I'm ok, I was wearing my helmet.
  I will always support the wear a helmet campaign. You never know when you’ll need it.
  Keep spreading the word.
  Tim
  (twitter.com/ tomywithrawcash)
  Tim Crawshaw
• An individual case, like this, is sad and scary. It touches people emotionally. And scares them.
  
  It will probably put many people off cycling all together. That is what is really sad and scary - that will actually INCREASE the overall health risks to the population.
  
  I encourage people to make an informed decision about wearing a helmet - base it on facts.
  See http:// CycleHelmets.org as a starting point.
  
  Perhaps pedestrians should wear helmets, as they can get hit by wing mirrors too: http://goo.gl/cCiyf
  
  And driving instructors: http://goo.gl/slQyA
  And people in cars: http://goo.gl/6Gd9l
  
  If you want to wear a helmet fine, by all means, it is your choice (at least in the UK). Just know the facts first.
  Andrew Reeves-Hall
• I work for my local authority's Road Safety Unit. Over the last 12 months we have raised awareness for seat belts, dangers of driving with mobile phones, basic road safety and now, presently we are campaigning for the wearing of cylce helmets. I am very sorry for your accident but thank you for bringing attention to this serious lack of responsibility to members of the public. Adults seem to forget that its not only on bikes that injuries can be caused - skateboards and scooters can be equally dangerous for children and this is the message that we are trying to convey. Thank you once again for your support.
  Hayley Stacey
• James great video! I met you the eve before day 1 of the MDS last year (with Tony Gilling, BP). I watched your race across america film the other day, and horrific accident. Felt I should write to thank you for raising the awareness of head injuries and their damaging and lasting effects on both the individual and in particularly the spouse and family of the victim. As it happens I was actually running the MDS for a head and spinal injuries ward in sheffield when I met you, as both my brother and father had received incredible care from the ward after both suffering serious head and spinal sporting injuries. Thankfully my brother made a successful and continuing recovery, my father unfortunately although improved from the initial accident still requires full-time care and will not recover further. Particularly moving was Beverly's strength in the situation, it reminded me of my mother's experience and continued situation. I'm sorry you, Beverly and the kids had to endure this ord
  Tim Hull-Bailey
• James , im a mere nobody but blown away by whts happened woul d love to help in anyway I can ..
  Andy robson
• James , im a mere nobody but blown away by whts happened woyld love to help in anyway I can ..
  Andy robson
• After watching "The Hardest Race on Earth" then "Race Across America" on Discovery, then seeing and re-tweeting you helmet vid, I'm going to buy a helmet tomorrow! You also helped inspire me to increase my run today by about 20%!! Thanks dude! Keep on keeping on! (Will we see Beverley back on F! ever?)...
  Dave Berry
• Hi James, Fantastic helmet film! It just shows that wearing a helmet can save lives! James, you have proved just that by having an inspirational will to survive a year ago today! I applaud you for it and thank God that my hero James is still here with us and I can follow him for years to come! Cheers James, where's the bubbly? Love you loads Emmaxxx
  Emma Barmby
• Hi james ,I saw you on tv today talking about your campaign ,my son is about to start high school in september .Most of the boys ride their bikes to school ,none of them wear a helmet ! I have spoken to the headmaster about this and he says there is nothing he can do as not wearing a helmet is not illegal .I thought how brilliant and inspirational it would be if you could come to the school and give a talk !!many thanks jane thompson .
  jane thompson
• Right with you on this, James
  
  Not just for kids - we all should be wearing them! Each time I see a family group - kids with helmets / parents without, I think "So you want your kids to be orphaned?"
  
  My own story? - Came off my road bike, probably doing low 20's. First thing to hit terra firma was the left hand side of my helmet. A headache? - a cracker! Damage ? yes, a major crack running through the helmet foam, but no head injury, thank God! Badly grazed elbow and knee, but nothing that couldn't heal
  
  Yes, wear a helmet!
  Kenneth Ross
• Very powerful video James
  Jamile Siddiqui
• Hi James,
  
  I've got some friends who don't wear helmets - I hope this changes that.
  
  Thanks for the video and good luck with your recovery.
  
  Anna
  Anna Wakefield
• Hello James,
  
  Just watched you on Lorraine and heard about your accident and your campaign to get more cyclists wearing helmets,
  
  I just thought that you would like to know that, I am now off to Halfords to get myself a bike helmet.
  
  Thanks for putting the importance of the helmet and the fact that I have to think of my wife and children (9 mth and 4 year old), not just myself.
  
  Great to see you're well and keep up the good work.
  
  Mike.
  Michael Parker

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