Students share helmet war-stories

Like a seat belt, helmets can be life-saving, as two students can attest, having experienced the damage and trauma a bike accident can cause.\nSenior Hannelore Meier broke her hand and received a concussion in a Sept. 13 bike accident when she hit another student next to Woodburn Hall. Because Meier wasn't wearing a helmet, she suffered a concussion. \nFollowing her doctor's and teachers' advice, Meier dropped two classes, bumping her graduation date from this spring to Fall 2005.\nMeier, an experienced cyclist, had rode about 1,000 miles over the summer and always wore a helmet. Wearing a helmet to class was another hassle with which she previously had not wanted to deal.\n"It was just an extra thing to carry around," Meier said. "Some people think wearing a helmet isn't cool, or it messes up their hair."\nMeier said her accident has changed her life and is interested in talking with students about the importance of wearing a helmet.\n"A helmet is protecting your most precious commodity," Meier said. "It is safety to keep you alive."\nFreshman Daniel Houchens was riding on Fee Lane in November 2003 when he collided with a car and flew through the windshield. Houchens, who was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, was unconscious in the hospital for a weeks. He suffered short-term memory loss and one of his eyes had horizontal and vertical muscle disorientation.\n"If I hadn't been wearing a helmet, I would have been dead on the spot," Houchens said.\nHouchens' trouble comprehending information forced him to take a year off school, and possibly not graduate.\n"The neurologist didn't think I could pass first or second semester, but I am really lucky, and things are going well (this year)," Houchens said.\nHouchens, who is a Little 500 rider for the Dodds House, said he feels neglecting to wear a helmet is irresponsible.\n"There is no excuse not to wear a helmet," Houchens said. "It's important to be defensive on your bike at all times, no matter where you are."\nThe IU Police Department supplies helmets for the "bike cops" who patrol the campus via bicycle. IUPD Lt. Jerry Minger said wearing a helmet is important "in a situation where there is a greater chance of injury." Minger also said riding on pedestrian pathways, such as those through the Arboretum, is a dangerous situation.\nMinger said that, like a seat belt, a helmet is often overlooked as a life saver.\n"Overwhelming data shows people are protected by wearing a helmet, like the overwhelming data that shows people are protected by a seat belt," Minger said.\nDr. John Duguid from the Department of Neurology at IU-Purdue University Indianapolis said some common effects from head injuries -- mainly concussions -- include long-standing headaches, double vision, memory loss, nausea and vomiting.\nDuguid said more serious injuries to the head can be fatal.\n"If a developing blood clot gets enlarged, if could kill you," Duguid said.\nLike Houchens' case, cognitive functions can also be compromised.\n"It's surprising how much damage you can do falling off a bike sitting still," Duguid said.\nSenior Liz Milne is a Little 500 rider for Kappa Alpha Theta who feels a helmet is necessary for all types of riders.\n"No matter how good a cyclist you think you are, there are many variables," Milne said. "There is a lot of traffic on campus ... it's a way to protect yourself."\nIndiana does not have a law requiring cyclists to wear helmets, but it does have a law requiring children under 18 years old to wear a helmet on a motorcycle.\nRegardless Houchens said he feels students should push aside excuses and strap on a helmet.\n"People think they're bulletproof, but you're vulnerable all the time," Houchens said. "Why take the chance?"\n-- Contact staff writer Ashley Lough at amlough@indiana.edu.