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Preventable Summer Contest

Comments 67 by Rebecca Bollwitt

With June being Bike Month in Metro Vancouver and Car Free Day coming up, it’s the perfect time to not only think about leaving the car at home but also about bike safety. As automatic as it may be to buckle up in your vehicle, it should equally be a ‘no brainer’ to pop a helmet on your head when heading out for a ride.


Preventable on Flickr

Preventable has asked me to spread the message about their summer campaign, which focuses on two main points. The first is that no matter what level of cyclist you may be (from courier, racer, downhill, cruiser, to BMX) should always practice bicycle safety and wear a helmet.

The second is that you don’t really expect to fall off your bicycle however the injuries sustained from any type of fall, at any speed, can be dreadfully serious. The goal of the Preventable campaign is to simply highlight that — preventable injuries that could have been avoided in the first place.

  • In BC, serious cycling injuries are most prevalent among children aged 10-14 years. In 2007 alone, there were over 170 bicycle-related injuries to those aged 10-14 years.
  • In 2007, there were more than 1,000 cycling-related injuries that required hospitalization. That’s 20 cycling injuries a week.
  • Each year in Canada, approximately 800 children are hospitalized for cycling injuries each summer and 9 die.
  • In Canada, cycling is the second most common cause of serious sports injuries, after ice hockey.

    • When purchasing a helmet, here’s what you should be looking for. There is the CSA (Canadian Standards Association) certification mark and you should also check to make sure the helmet is proper fit — not just any helmet will do. You should also buy a new helmet, rather than using one second-hand, and purchase a replacement every five years.

    To you to practice safe-cycling this summer, avoiding preventable injuries, I have a $100 Sport Mart gift card to give away to a reader. The hope is that they will use this to purchase a helmet for their summer cycling.

    Here’s how to enter to win:

  • Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
  • Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
    • I want to win a $100 gift card from @miss604 & @Preventable so I can buy a bike helmet this summer http://ow.ly/1YUpP

    You can learn more about the Preventable Community online as well as follow them on Twitter @Preventable for safety tips and information throughout the summer.

    I will draw the contest winner this Friday, June 18th.

    Update June 18, 2010 The winner is Kathy, congratulations & safe biking!

    67 Comments  —  Comments Are Closed

    1. DanaTuesday, June 15th, 2010 — 12:21pm PDT

      Miss 604, my mellon needs protecting! I love bicycles!

    2. Ryan CousineauTuesday, June 15th, 2010 — 12:22pm PDT

      I’m actually in the market for a new helmet, so there you go.

    3. David SchmeikalTuesday, June 15th, 2010 — 12:23pm PDT

      It’s funny to look back at the early years of growing up and how dead set against wearing helmets we were.
      The great thing nowadays is the ones who are influential role models for the younger skaters/bikers, a vast majority of them wear the gear. Preventable progress i think.

    4. LizTuesday, June 15th, 2010 — 12:25pm PDT

      this would be the perfect excuse to upgrade from my very dorky but much used helmet to something a little nicer!

    5. OanaTuesday, June 15th, 2010 — 12:26pm PDT

      Ooh I’d love a sleek new helmet!

    6. Sandra NTuesday, June 15th, 2010 — 12:29pm PDT

      For my son who is about to get his first trike.

    7. Don ForanTuesday, June 15th, 2010 — 12:31pm PDT

      If I had a helmet, then I would finally have to get a bike..!

    8. Soo Wei TanTuesday, June 15th, 2010 — 12:33pm PDT

      It would be awesome to win a new helmet!

    9. GraemeTuesday, June 15th, 2010 — 12:37pm PDT

      My girlfriend could use a new bike helmet, I’m not even sure she has one! So I would like to win this for her.

      Thanks!

    10. LauraTuesday, June 15th, 2010 — 12:38pm PDT

      I’d be more likely to wear my helmet if I had a nice new one!

    11. Blair SmithTuesday, June 15th, 2010 — 12:41pm PDT

      My head needs all the help it can get!

    12. RachelTuesday, June 15th, 2010 — 12:50pm PDT

      Helmets are cool

    13. Patrick M.Tuesday, June 15th, 2010 — 12:53pm PDT

      My current helmet is over ten years old, I could probably use a new one!

    14. KateTuesday, June 15th, 2010 — 12:57pm PDT

      I was just thinking about getting a new helmet – I’ll wait until the contest is over to purchase:)

    15. EmmaTuesday, June 15th, 2010 — 1:10pm PDT

      What a great contest! Everyone should wear a good helmet when biking.

    16. JohnathanTuesday, June 15th, 2010 — 1:12pm PDT

      I think I need a new helmet. It’s difficult to find one, apparently chinese people have more oblong shaped heads.

    17. HenryTuesday, June 15th, 2010 — 1:17pm PDT

      Helmets ftw! I see so many people who don’t wear theirs when riding. Frustrates me.

    18. NatTuesday, June 15th, 2010 — 1:19pm PDT

      I am an avid helmet wearer. I’d give the gift certificate to a friend or family member who felt they were just too cool to protect themselves from head injuries.

      My biggest pet peeve – when people cycle with their helmet hanging from their handlebar. What’s the point???

    19. PeggyTuesday, June 15th, 2010 — 1:37pm PDT

      Helmets = yes, definitely; Helmet laws = unnecessary.

    20. TriciaTuesday, June 15th, 2010 — 1:39pm PDT

      Already have a great helmet! Could use some other safety gear for my bike though, maybe bike armour, gloves, a light, reflector, and a pump…

    21. FaTuesday, June 15th, 2010 — 1:42pm PDT

      I need one to use the bike my roommate left me when she left for Australia! 😀

    22. TaylorTuesday, June 15th, 2010 — 1:49pm PDT

      i want to protect my boyfriends cute head!

    23. AkaishaTuesday, June 15th, 2010 — 2:12pm PDT

      It is important to know that once you’ve been in an accident with your bike helmet, you need to purchase a new one.

    24. StefanieTuesday, June 15th, 2010 — 2:15pm PDT

      How do they get away with it in Europe?

      ps pick me! 🙂

    25. angelaTuesday, June 15th, 2010 — 4:03pm PDT

      This would come in handy to get new helmets for the kids…they are outgrowing the old ones!

    26. LindaTuesday, June 15th, 2010 — 5:11pm PDT

      We just bought bikes. So this will be great to build up on some other safety gear. Thank you for the how-to pick a helmet.

    27. HelenTuesday, June 15th, 2010 — 5:23pm PDT

      Oh, I need a new helmet!

    28. ErinTuesday, June 15th, 2010 — 6:54pm PDT

      Agreed, I already wear a helmet but tonnes more people need to be converted.

    29. JeremyTuesday, June 15th, 2010 — 7:25pm PDT

      I could use a new helmet, this weather is perfect for bike riding!

    30. JenTuesday, June 15th, 2010 — 7:27pm PDT

      A new helmet would be great! Awareness about bike safety is great 🙂

    31. KatieTuesday, June 15th, 2010 — 8:51pm PDT

      I would love a new helmet

    32. ChristineTuesday, June 15th, 2010 — 9:04pm PDT

      I would LOVE to get a new bike helmet!

    33. bekkiTuesday, June 15th, 2010 — 10:28pm PDT

      I need a helmet, and I have a big head so it’s hard to find. $100 would help in that department.

    34. VeronicaTuesday, June 15th, 2010 — 10:31pm PDT

      I’m just getting back into cycling, now that the weather is starting to cooperate. Great contest idea!

    35. Yutaka TabataTuesday, June 15th, 2010 — 10:42pm PDT

      I would love a new helmet!!

    36. RayRayTuesday, June 15th, 2010 — 11:11pm PDT

      Water – Check.
      Helmet – Check.
      Rule of the Road – Check.

    37. RBWednesday, June 16th, 2010 — 2:01am PDT

      never hurts to wear a helmet.
      get it?

    38. SherryWednesday, June 16th, 2010 — 7:04am PDT

      My helmet could use replacing….the straps are kind of wonky….this would be great incentive to do it.

    39. mmxWednesday, June 16th, 2010 — 7:58am PDT

      I could def use a new bike helmet, as mine doesn’t fit properly :p

      Thanks for the awesome Preventable Summer Contest!

      =)

    40. ChristineWednesday, June 16th, 2010 — 8:03am PDT

      I’m buying a bike this weekend and need a helmet to go with it!

    41. HollyWednesday, June 16th, 2010 — 8:11am PDT

      I need a new helmet!

    42. AndreWednesday, June 16th, 2010 — 8:33am PDT

      I feel naked (in a bad way) without my helmet.

    43. AnneWednesday, June 16th, 2010 — 8:37am PDT

      A new helmet would be sweet.

    44. JanetWednesday, June 16th, 2010 — 9:21am PDT

      I just started biking so I would love to get a new helmet! Right now, I have been wearing my boyfriend’s old helmet 🙁

    45. AlexWednesday, June 16th, 2010 — 9:30am PDT

      I see too many people riding w/out any head protection. Word definitely needs to spread regarding safety. Cheers!

    46. K8ieWednesday, June 16th, 2010 — 11:11am PDT

      My boyfriend needs a new helmet bad. This would be really helpful. Safety first…

    47. DeeWednesday, June 16th, 2010 — 11:48am PDT

      I have a helmet but would buy one for my friend.

    48. JeremyWednesday, June 16th, 2010 — 2:21pm PDT

      Awesome contest, a helmet would be really useful this time of year

    49. Ian YeungWednesday, June 16th, 2010 — 2:29pm PDT

      Safe biking…here i come!! woot!

    50. AlexanderWednesday, June 16th, 2010 — 3:36pm PDT

      of course I say yes for an upcoming safe summer cycling

    51. AntoniaWednesday, June 16th, 2010 — 3:51pm PDT

      Who doesn’t need a new helmet? Hope to win one!

    52. StacyWednesday, June 16th, 2010 — 4:18pm PDT

      safety first — count me in!

    53. TeresaWednesday, June 16th, 2010 — 7:59pm PDT

      Nice prize!

    54. Bonnie Y.Wednesday, June 16th, 2010 — 8:06pm PDT

      Great contest. Hope to win.

    55. RichardWednesday, June 16th, 2010 — 10:03pm PDT

      SHHHhhhhhhhh….I just bought my son a new bike for the summer. A new bike helmet would be perfect!

    56. Daianne SilvaWednesday, June 16th, 2010 — 10:11pm PDT

      I want win a helmet for miss vancouver… I’m a bycicling in Vancouver… i will love that

    57. Peter vT ~ @PvTThursday, June 17th, 2010 — 1:00am PDT

      I’m inspired to revive my love for cycling and a helmet is a must have!

      Great post; you may very well have saved a life and/or someone from serious injury.

    58. paigeThursday, June 17th, 2010 — 10:20am PDT

      Yes. Please?

    59. KathyThursday, June 17th, 2010 — 12:07pm PDT

      Would love to win the certificate..

      I have a child who is busy growing and sports equipment is expensive

    60. ChrisThursday, June 17th, 2010 — 12:16pm PDT

      I’m one of the boyfriends mentioned above that needs a new helmet. My current one is pretty filthy.

    61. RogerThursday, June 17th, 2010 — 1:55pm PDT

      Shoot! I wish I knew about this before I bought my $40 helmet from walmart! I could always use the $100 for a bike tune up I desperately need though! (My bike is 20+ years old!!) or a heavy duty bike lock! Please enter me to the $100 draw. Thanks and good luck to everyone!

    62. KarlThursday, June 17th, 2010 — 5:34pm PDT

      I’m buying a bike soon so this would be perfect!

    63. MariaThursday, June 17th, 2010 — 10:24pm PDT

      I’m glad times have changed. It wasn’t ‘cool’ to wear a helmet when I was young, now its the in thing, and safe thing!

    64. JaneFriday, June 18th, 2010 — 7:33am PDT

      I’d love to win….I’ve been procrastinating getting a new helmet (I’ve been using my boyfriend’s), so this would be perfect!

    65. RoshenaFriday, June 18th, 2010 — 9:26am PDT

      Thanks for helping to raise awareness. Good helmets are so important.

    66. SimFriday, June 18th, 2010 — 10:08am PDT

      We call them “stack hats” in Australia and funnily enough I have a bike here but not a helmet yet….so it would be great to get on my bike and enjoy Vancouver, as opposed to it collecting dust in the garage!

    67. ScottWednesday, June 8th, 2011 — 1:10pm PDT

      You don’t need to ride a bike to need a helmet.

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