Welwyn Garden City OAP'S crash helmet saved his life
A PENSIONER thrown from his bike into the path of oncoming traffic has told how his cycle helmet saved his life. John Mears was rushed to A&E suffering severe injuries to his head and left arm after the front wheel of his bicycle came loose in Ayot St Pe
A PENSIONER thrown from his bike into the path of oncoming traffic has told how his cycle helmet saved his life.
John Mears was rushed to A&E suffering severe injuries to his head and left arm after the front wheel of his bicycle came loose in Ayot St Peter.
The retired computer consultant of Brockswood Lane, WGC, underwent a three-hour operation to reconstruct his left elbow, following the crash on February 20.
The 67-year-old said: "I hit the front of my head on the floor. I would be dead today if I had not been wearing my helmet.
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"I've been cycling for years and it's a route I've done many times.
Mr Mears, who is recovering at home after being discharged from the QE2 Hospital on Tuesday last week, urged fellow cyclists to think safety first - and always wear a cycle helmet.
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His plea was backed by Peter Waghorn, chairman of the Welwyn Wheelers Cycling Club.
He said: "With the 2008 Olympics, there has been a significant growth in the amount of people cycling.
"People who cycle regularly know the importance of wearing helmets, those who casually cycle are less likely to do so, and this is where the danger is."
Yet every day, people are risking their lives by not doing so.
Latest figures from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), show there were 16,195 pedal-cycle casualties in the UK in 2007, with almost 300 coming from Hertfordshire.
And three-quarters of all cyclists killed have suffered major head injuries, as a result of not wearing a helmet.
A RoSPA spokesman said: "We encourage all cyclists to wear helmets.
"They obviously can't play a part in preventing accidents, but they can play a major role in preventing the severity of injuries and incidents.
