(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Ian Gustafson

Better Safe Than Sorry

A trio of bike and skateboard related incidents a reminder to wear a helmet

Jun 15, 2020 | 5:14 PM

After paramedics responded to three separate incidents over the weekend involving a skateboard and two bicycles, a spokesperson for Parkland Ambulance is reminding people to wear a helmet.

Director of Public Affairs with Parkland Ambulance, Lyle Karasiuk said the incidents were minor injuries but needed further care at the hospital. All the incidents involved the riders not wearing helmets.

“It’s just a good reminder for our general public that regardless of age and regardless of expertise that a bike helmet is certainly required if you’re out cycling and a multi-sport helmet for those who wish to engage in the skateboard activities,” Karasiuk said.

Despite the skateboard park reopening last week, Karasiuk explained the incidents happened within the city and not at the skatepark.

“A helmet does not prevent you from having a head injury. So in a severe crash, a helmet reduces the severity of a head injury,” he said. “If you fall back a little bit, maybe you lose control of the bike and you fall off the bike striking your head on the back of your head. [A helmet is] going to prevent you from suffering a significant blow to the head.”

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He explained people sometimes think you can only get major head injuries from doing tricks on a skateboard or bike but said anyone can get a significant head injury from any type of accident.

“We see so many families where mom and dad might not be wearing a helmet, but the kids are,” he said. “We want to stress that it’s important that every member of the public, whether you’re mom or dad or the little ones, grab a helmet. They’re relatively inexpensive.”

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Ian.gustafson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @iangustafson12