When I was little, my parents never let me even get near a bicycle without wearing a bike helmet.
I thought it was kind of annoying as a kid, but as I got older, I realized just how important it could be.
Most of the time, it seems like wearing a bike helmet is an unnecessary thing — it makes your head sweaty, messes up your hair, and doesn't come in handy if your bike ride goes as planned.
Obviously, bike helmets can be extremely important if your ride goes awry, though.
In fact, wearing a helmet can actually save your life if you somehow end up falling head first to the ground. Lots of people think the chances of this happening are slim, but one woman is reminding other people just how necessary bike helmets actually are.
Saffy Haugh is a normal young woman — but her life was flipped upside down when a car came out of nowhere and hit her bike.
[H/T: Love What Matters]
Saffy shared her story on her Facebook page, where it went viral.
To date, her post has over 15,000 reactions and over 16,000 shares.
Saffy wrote:
I’m not much of a status gal but I feel I have a message for all bike riders.
On Thursday I was riding the 8 minute cycle from work as I do every day. A car coming in the opposite direction didn't see me and turned right, hitting me.
I went over the bonnet and landed on the road on the other size, head first.
I can't even describe how hard my head hit the ground because it's like nothing I've experienced before.
The thing that has meant that I could walk away with only minor concussion and bruising was my HELMET!!!!
There was absolutely nothing I could have done to prevent this from happening, it wasn't even a major road.
I was a minute away from my house.
Yesterday I took a stroll and my eyes are open to something I haven’t noticed before. About 3/5 people, not wearing bike helmets. Our heads and brains are so so fragile, it’s not worth it.
I am certain that my story would be a different one if I wasn't wearing my helmet. PLEASE MAKE WEARING YOUR HELMET A LIFETIME HABIT. It could save your life too!!!!!!
If Saffy's story isn't enough to convince you, the Cleveland Clinic explains that "Wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of head injury to bicyclists by as much as 85 percent."
Of the thousands of people who saw Saffy's post, many commented about their own experiences with bike helmets.
One man wrote, "It still amazes me when I see someone riding without a helmet. I've been a mountain biker for about 20 years and I think my helmet has saved my life numerous times."
Another man wrote, "Been there and done that too. Saved my life. Worth every penny. Get well soon!"
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