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June
17, 2002 Garage Sale Bicycle Helmets - a bargain for home gardeners, but not for cyclists
Hanging upside down by the straps, they're perfect for growing strawberries, annuals or other plants. Their bright colours make a lively addition to the garden. Old bicycle helmets used as planters won't be worn by cyclists, so gardeners can take pride in knowing that they're preventing unnecessary injuries and lawsuits. "Seriously, garage sale bicycle helmets are no bargain for cyclists," says Darrell Noakes, president of Borealis Outdoor Adventure and a CAN-BIKE National Examiner. "There's no way of knowing if helmets have been damaged and most of them are too old to offer trustworthy service," says Mr. Noakes. "A helmet should be replaced about every three years, and helmets older than five years can't be expected to provide any protection at all." "Every summer I find old, used helmets for sale at garage sales everywhere," he says. "Disturbingly, most are children's helmets. Children are most likely to be rough on their helmets, and they are in greatest need of good protection." "Old helmets don't meet current safety standards," says Mr. Noakes. In addition, the materials degrade over time. "Although a helmet may look all right, it may not be able to withstand any kind of bicycle crash," he says. "If the helmet's also been damaged through rough handling or use, it's worthless." "There's just no way to tell," he says. "With new, certified helmets available for less than 10 dollars, I don't understand how anyone could think a garage sale helmet is any kind of a bargain," he says. "It's no great deal for anyone selling a used helmet, either," says Mr. Noakes. "If someone's injured as a result of using such a helmet, whoever sold it could be held responsible. It's not worth the risk." "I just tell people they're better off growing flowers in them than to take a chance with their own or someone else's safety," he says. - 30 - For more information, contact:
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SASKATOON
– Bicycle helmets sold at garage sales are worthless for bicycle
riding, but they're a bargain for home gardeners.
Borealis
Outdoor Adventure