Helmet saves cyclist’s life

Press, 21 July 1989, Page 10

Helmet saves cyclist’s life

By

BARRY CLARKE

Brent Fiecken, a Cashmere High School pupil, never had much time for cycle helmets until one saved his life. The seventh former’s helmet was smashed into four pieces when he was catapulted off his racing bike while coming down Mount Pleasant Road at more than 50km/h. “I used to wear it only on hills or when it was icy and raining,” said Brent yesterday. “Now I know how good they are.”

Brent suffered bruising and whiplash and his bike’s front forks and wheel were severely damaged. “I’d been training on the hills when the front tyre blew out. I had one hand on the handlebars and one hand on the shifting lever. “I got one of my foot clips off and the other

ripped free as I went off. The bike hit a tree. I think my head hit a rock',” he said. Helmets are not compulsory at Cashmere High School, but the issue was likely to be discussed with the school’s board of trustees, the deputy principal, Mr Harold Harris, said. “The board of trustees haven’t discussed it yet. We’re encouraging as many pupils as we can to wear them,” he said.

Aranui High School has become the latest school to make helmets compulsory. The chairman of the school’s board of trustees, Mr James Daniels, said yesterday the move would be enforced from next year. The . school has arranged a bulk deal and helmets will cost pupils $39, $5O below normal retail price.