Helmet Saves Bicyclist in Minneapolis

May 20, 2005

VIDEO: Rick Fuentes reports.

May 13, 2005 8:58 am US/Central Minneapolis (WCCO) One Minneapolis man said he has learned his lesson and he will never ride a bike without a helmet again.

“I’m married, with a son,” said Mike Rhodes. “I don’t want to think about what could’ve happened.”

Rhodes regularly rides his bike to his job at Hennepin County Medical Center. He was getting grief about not wearing a helmet, so he finally decided to get one.

He bought a helmet from his boss, who sells them to county employees.

“He literally paid me for it about two hours before he went out on his lunch hour,” Rhodes’ boss said.

Rhodes then went out and was riding in the bike lane on 11th Avenue. He had the green light, so he went through the intersection. Cars coming off Interstate 94 had a red light, but one car kept going.

Rhodes’ bike took the brunt of the impact, cracking the frame. The helmet didn’t crack.

“I’m going to lunch, next thing I’m on the ground,” Rhodes said.

He is a convert.

“I’m sore, bloody and bruised, but I’m thankful I was wearing the helmet,” Rhodes said.

Rhodes has since bought a new helmet, because bike helmets are built to take only one hard impact.

(WCCO)

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