On my way home from a ride downtown, I was on the Woodland Trail when I approached a family of three. The little boy was wailing away--something about not wanting to ride--wanting ice cream. Anyway, the little guy did have a helmet on, so I stopped and gave him a dollar. Well, that stopped the tears right away! Happy to help.
Then, on the Chehalis Western Trail I stopped a teenage kid with his parents and gave him a dollar. Well, that was my last dollar with a card attached. I had run out of the original batch of 30 cards I had made! That means I've given out $30 to 30 kids who have been wearing helmets!
Just a short while later, I came across 5 kids--3 wearing helmets. I didn't have any more dollars with cards, but I did have a few dollars. They were all teenagers and were actually pretty excited to get a buck. One of the kids who wasn't wearing a helmet said his helmet was broken. One of the boys who was wearing a helmet offered to give the kid an extra helmet that he had. I thought that was pretty great!
So, I came home and printed up another batch of cards. I wonder how long it will take me to give out this next bunch...
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Friday, September 28, 2012
And I Heard Her Exclaim As I Rode Out Of Sight...
..."Aren't you glad we did a bike ride?"
Yes, another two recipients from the Thanks For Wearing a Helmet Campaign.
I was heading home from downtown on the trail when I spotted a kid coming toward me. I put on the brakes and told him I had something for him. Fortunately, he had stopped to wait for his mom and sister because he acted like he hadn't heard me--the whole "Don't talk to strangers" thing I'm sure. Still, I pulled out a dollar and gave it to him. He politely said, "Thank you Ma'am." About that time mom rolled up and asked what was going on. The kid told her I had given him a dollar for wearing a helmet. Then the sister rolled up and I gave one to her too. The mom said I didn't have to do that, but I told her it was my Thanks For Wearing A Helmet Campaign. She then told me how they had seen a couple of kids get in accidents without helmets, so she always makes her kids wear their helmets. She also thanked me for reinforcing that. The best part of this whole campaign is when I can reinforce what the parent is saying. Protect your head by wearing a helmet. Your brain thanks you and so do I!
Yes, another two recipients from the Thanks For Wearing a Helmet Campaign.
I was heading home from downtown on the trail when I spotted a kid coming toward me. I put on the brakes and told him I had something for him. Fortunately, he had stopped to wait for his mom and sister because he acted like he hadn't heard me--the whole "Don't talk to strangers" thing I'm sure. Still, I pulled out a dollar and gave it to him. He politely said, "Thank you Ma'am." About that time mom rolled up and asked what was going on. The kid told her I had given him a dollar for wearing a helmet. Then the sister rolled up and I gave one to her too. The mom said I didn't have to do that, but I told her it was my Thanks For Wearing A Helmet Campaign. She then told me how they had seen a couple of kids get in accidents without helmets, so she always makes her kids wear their helmets. She also thanked me for reinforcing that. The best part of this whole campaign is when I can reinforce what the parent is saying. Protect your head by wearing a helmet. Your brain thanks you and so do I!
Thursday, September 13, 2012
This Mom is Doing it Right!
On my way back from buying bird food at Petsmart, I met Angie and her daughter Amy. Angie had picked up Amy on her bike pulling a trail-a-bike from school. Amy was wearing a nice powder blue helmet. I gave Amy a dollar and card.
Angie has four kids (just like me). She told me when her oldest got caught without his helmet, her and her husband threatened to take him off the football team.
She encourages her kids to ride their bikes to school and is out there riding too (and being a good role model by wearing her own helmet).
It was nice to meet another mom who is doing it right!
Angie has four kids (just like me). She told me when her oldest got caught without his helmet, her and her husband threatened to take him off the football team.
She encourages her kids to ride their bikes to school and is out there riding too (and being a good role model by wearing her own helmet).
It was nice to meet another mom who is doing it right!
Sunday, September 9, 2012
A Surprising Number of Recipients
My friend Carol came to Olympia with her Bike Friday bike so we could go for a ride. We just decided to do the one part of the Chehalis Western Trail that she hasn't done--north from Horizons Elem. to the end at Woodard Bay.
Fortunately, I had my TFWAH dollars in my trunk bag because I ended up giving out 6 dollars and cards!
The first two were at the trailhead at 67th. There were two parents and two kids. One little boy was in a bike seat on the back of the bike. He had his helmet on. The girl didn't have her helmet on. At first I wasn't sure if the girl was with them. When I gave the little boy his dollar, the girl's face just dropped. It was then that Carol noticed she did have a helmet. I said, "Oh, I didn't see your helmet! You get a dollar too!" She brightened up quickly! Whew! I'm glad Carol caught that one!
Further along the trail I saw 4 kids and two adults. Two of the kids had helmets on, two did not. I asked the adults if those were their kids. The two with helmets were theirs. So, I gave the parents 2 dollars and cards to give to their kids.
As we were coming back I stopped for another kid and his mom. At first the mom was going to keep going, but Carol said, "You might as well take it, she's doing this for every kid with a helmet on." So the kid took the dollar.
The last kid was in Horizon Point. As I stopped to pull out a dollar for him, Carol said, "It's your lucky day!"
I was just planning on going for a ride with Carol. In fact, each time we stopped I said to Carol, "Hold on, I have to give this/these kid(s) a dollar." She didn't seem to mind. It was great having someone else with me. I think it is less "threatening" if two ladies stop rather than just me. Maybe I'll have to recruit someone to go with me.
Fortunately, I had my TFWAH dollars in my trunk bag because I ended up giving out 6 dollars and cards!
The first two were at the trailhead at 67th. There were two parents and two kids. One little boy was in a bike seat on the back of the bike. He had his helmet on. The girl didn't have her helmet on. At first I wasn't sure if the girl was with them. When I gave the little boy his dollar, the girl's face just dropped. It was then that Carol noticed she did have a helmet. I said, "Oh, I didn't see your helmet! You get a dollar too!" She brightened up quickly! Whew! I'm glad Carol caught that one!
Further along the trail I saw 4 kids and two adults. Two of the kids had helmets on, two did not. I asked the adults if those were their kids. The two with helmets were theirs. So, I gave the parents 2 dollars and cards to give to their kids.
As we were coming back I stopped for another kid and his mom. At first the mom was going to keep going, but Carol said, "You might as well take it, she's doing this for every kid with a helmet on." So the kid took the dollar.
The last kid was in Horizon Point. As I stopped to pull out a dollar for him, Carol said, "It's your lucky day!"
I was just planning on going for a ride with Carol. In fact, each time we stopped I said to Carol, "Hold on, I have to give this/these kid(s) a dollar." She didn't seem to mind. It was great having someone else with me. I think it is less "threatening" if two ladies stop rather than just me. Maybe I'll have to recruit someone to go with me.
Saturday, September 8, 2012
I'm Baaaccckkk!
I had a fabulous three weeks on the road in mostly Canada with a few days in the San Juan Islands. If you are interested, you can read about that trip at www.superbikerwoman.blogspot.com.
I saw lots of other cyclists, particularly when I was on bike paths (in Stanley Park and on the Lochside Trail to Victoria). I'd say most of the kids had helmets on. Unfortunately, it would have been difficult to carry a bunch of Loonies (Canadian currency does not utilize a paper $1 bill).
When I got to Anacortes, WA I stayed with a CouchSurf family. They had a delightful 3 year old daughter named Olivia. When we went to the park with Olivia's new scooter, she work her pink Nutcase helmet. I told her parents about my TFWAH campaign. I told them I would send Olivia a dollar with the TFWAH card when I got home. I did, so now, in a very small way, the campaign has reached Anacortes!
Now, of course, school is back in session. Although the opportunities to catch kids wearing helmets is less, you can be sure I will still be out on the trail and road prepared to reward those kids I see wearing helmets.
I saw lots of other cyclists, particularly when I was on bike paths (in Stanley Park and on the Lochside Trail to Victoria). I'd say most of the kids had helmets on. Unfortunately, it would have been difficult to carry a bunch of Loonies (Canadian currency does not utilize a paper $1 bill).
When I got to Anacortes, WA I stayed with a CouchSurf family. They had a delightful 3 year old daughter named Olivia. When we went to the park with Olivia's new scooter, she work her pink Nutcase helmet. I told her parents about my TFWAH campaign. I told them I would send Olivia a dollar with the TFWAH card when I got home. I did, so now, in a very small way, the campaign has reached Anacortes!
Now, of course, school is back in session. Although the opportunities to catch kids wearing helmets is less, you can be sure I will still be out on the trail and road prepared to reward those kids I see wearing helmets.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Just Running Some Errands
Today was the first time since I started the TFWAH Campaign that I was out running errands and not specifically looking for TFWAH recipients (or choosing a route where I might likely see kids on bikes). Of course, that doesn't mean I wasn't prepared with a handful of dollars should I come across one...or four!
The first recipient was a teenage boy with his mom outside Fred Meyer. The bikes were new and they had purchased helmets at the same time. As an aside, I wish bike shops just included a helmet in the purchase of a bike. I'd say, both mom and kid were pleasantly surprised.
The next kid was a young boy riding on the Woodland Trail with his mom. He had just had his birthday and they were on their way to Olympic Cards and Comics to spend some birthday money. I said, "Now you have an extra buck to spend just for wearing a helmet!". He was pretty shy, but mom said thanks. Another aside here--seems like today was "Mom and Son on Bikes Day". I was riding with my son too! Also, it's great to see people using their bikes to get around instead of jumping in their cars!
The third and fourth recipients were two sisters riding along the Chehalis Western Trail. They were too young to be out alone. I asked a gentleman riding behind them if they belonged to him. He said no, the parents were walking behind him. I stopped at the parents and asked if I could give their daughters dollars for wearing helmets. They laughed and said, "Sure!". So I turned around and caught up to the girls. I told them their parents said it was okay and I gave them each a dollar. The mom said something like, "See, you SHOULD wear your helmet!"
In my brief experiences with this project, I've discovered girls are more wary of a stranger talking to them than boys. Case in point, as I was going to a meeting last night, I passed two girls, about 11 or 12 years old, riding along Boulevard. Both were wearing helmets so I stopped and waited for them to catch up. I asked them if they would each like a dollar for wearing their helmets. They said, "No thanks." and kept on going. I don't think they didn't want a dollar. I think they were just wary. I suppose that's a good thing...I will just continue to try to reward kids for wearing a helmet!
The first recipient was a teenage boy with his mom outside Fred Meyer. The bikes were new and they had purchased helmets at the same time. As an aside, I wish bike shops just included a helmet in the purchase of a bike. I'd say, both mom and kid were pleasantly surprised.
The next kid was a young boy riding on the Woodland Trail with his mom. He had just had his birthday and they were on their way to Olympic Cards and Comics to spend some birthday money. I said, "Now you have an extra buck to spend just for wearing a helmet!". He was pretty shy, but mom said thanks. Another aside here--seems like today was "Mom and Son on Bikes Day". I was riding with my son too! Also, it's great to see people using their bikes to get around instead of jumping in their cars!
The third and fourth recipients were two sisters riding along the Chehalis Western Trail. They were too young to be out alone. I asked a gentleman riding behind them if they belonged to him. He said no, the parents were walking behind him. I stopped at the parents and asked if I could give their daughters dollars for wearing helmets. They laughed and said, "Sure!". So I turned around and caught up to the girls. I told them their parents said it was okay and I gave them each a dollar. The mom said something like, "See, you SHOULD wear your helmet!"
In my brief experiences with this project, I've discovered girls are more wary of a stranger talking to them than boys. Case in point, as I was going to a meeting last night, I passed two girls, about 11 or 12 years old, riding along Boulevard. Both were wearing helmets so I stopped and waited for them to catch up. I asked them if they would each like a dollar for wearing their helmets. They said, "No thanks." and kept on going. I don't think they didn't want a dollar. I think they were just wary. I suppose that's a good thing...I will just continue to try to reward kids for wearing a helmet!
Saturday, August 4, 2012
7 Dollars in 42 Miles
Which, all things considered, is pretty good.
It was a pretty warm one today--probably one of the warmest days we've had all summer. I set out on the trail headed south. I didn't encounter my first "Thanks for Wearing a Helmet" recipient until just south of Rainier, which was about 14 miles into the ride. It's not that there were kids without helmets, there just weren't any kids out on the trail. There were lots of adults and I'd say about 3/4 of them were wearing helmets (pretty good). As I passed an older couple, I told them thanks for wearing a helmet. They responded with, "Of course!".
Anyway, as I was headed to Yelm from Rainier, I came across a little girl with her mom. Since the little girl had a helmet on (mom was walking), I stopped and pulled out a dollar with a "Thanks for Wearing a Helmet" card. Mom asked if I was with Rotary (I had one of my Courage Classic, sponsored by Rotary, jerseys on). I told her no, this was just my little campaign to reward kids for making smart choices. Both mom and daughter thanked me and I continued on.
I rode the rest of the way to Yelm without seeing any more kids on the trail. I even got off and did one of the neighborhood loops, but no kids were out.
I took some rural roads back from Yelm and returned to the trail about a half mile or so from Rainier. As I was passing the picnic shelter next to the trail in Rainier, I saw two boys in the shelter with bikes. They were both wearing helmets, so I rode over to them and gave them each a dollar and card. They both said thanks and I said, " No, thank YOU for wearing helmets!". They looked to be 10 or 11, the age where being cool is everything!
Just past the junction of the Yelm-Tenino Trail and Chehalis Western I saw a young kid coming toward me. He had a helmet on, so I said, "Hey kid, you want a dollar?" As he went flying past, he said, "No thanks." (I think I have better success not asking if they want a dollar.) In this kid's case, he was in full kit, on a road bike (albeit a small one), out of the saddle, hammering the pedals. He wasn't taking time to stop for anything (maybe he is a future Olympian in the making). He is clearly sold on wearing a helmet. Still, I hollered after him, "Thanks for wearing a helmet!"
A few miles further down the trail, I stopped two teenage boys. One of the boys thought he knew me. He had a Boy Scout Troop 48 t-shirt on so, in theory, he could have known me, but he didn't. However, he knows my boys. Anyway, I told them I stopped them because they were wearing helmets. I gave them each their dollar. They looked a bit baffled, but said thanks. I told them I bet it's not often someone gives them money when they are out riding!
My last two recipients were two little boys, about 4 or so, who were in the Horizon Point Park. They were quite enthusiastic about getting a dollar each. I told the older girl who was with them that I would have given her one too if she had been wearing a helmet. She said she didn't have one. That's when I wish I carried extra helmets. However, there are programs available in the community for very low-cost helmets.
So, 7 dollars in 42 miles isn't too bad considering the heat and the miles I spent on rural roads. So far, my "Thanks for Wearing a Helmet" campaign has had an overwhelmingly positive response. It's also fun to see the looks on the kids faces when I hand them a dollar JUST for wearing a helmet!
It was a pretty warm one today--probably one of the warmest days we've had all summer. I set out on the trail headed south. I didn't encounter my first "Thanks for Wearing a Helmet" recipient until just south of Rainier, which was about 14 miles into the ride. It's not that there were kids without helmets, there just weren't any kids out on the trail. There were lots of adults and I'd say about 3/4 of them were wearing helmets (pretty good). As I passed an older couple, I told them thanks for wearing a helmet. They responded with, "Of course!".
Anyway, as I was headed to Yelm from Rainier, I came across a little girl with her mom. Since the little girl had a helmet on (mom was walking), I stopped and pulled out a dollar with a "Thanks for Wearing a Helmet" card. Mom asked if I was with Rotary (I had one of my Courage Classic, sponsored by Rotary, jerseys on). I told her no, this was just my little campaign to reward kids for making smart choices. Both mom and daughter thanked me and I continued on.
I rode the rest of the way to Yelm without seeing any more kids on the trail. I even got off and did one of the neighborhood loops, but no kids were out.
I took some rural roads back from Yelm and returned to the trail about a half mile or so from Rainier. As I was passing the picnic shelter next to the trail in Rainier, I saw two boys in the shelter with bikes. They were both wearing helmets, so I rode over to them and gave them each a dollar and card. They both said thanks and I said, " No, thank YOU for wearing helmets!". They looked to be 10 or 11, the age where being cool is everything!
Just past the junction of the Yelm-Tenino Trail and Chehalis Western I saw a young kid coming toward me. He had a helmet on, so I said, "Hey kid, you want a dollar?" As he went flying past, he said, "No thanks." (I think I have better success not asking if they want a dollar.) In this kid's case, he was in full kit, on a road bike (albeit a small one), out of the saddle, hammering the pedals. He wasn't taking time to stop for anything (maybe he is a future Olympian in the making). He is clearly sold on wearing a helmet. Still, I hollered after him, "Thanks for wearing a helmet!"
A few miles further down the trail, I stopped two teenage boys. One of the boys thought he knew me. He had a Boy Scout Troop 48 t-shirt on so, in theory, he could have known me, but he didn't. However, he knows my boys. Anyway, I told them I stopped them because they were wearing helmets. I gave them each their dollar. They looked a bit baffled, but said thanks. I told them I bet it's not often someone gives them money when they are out riding!
My last two recipients were two little boys, about 4 or so, who were in the Horizon Point Park. They were quite enthusiastic about getting a dollar each. I told the older girl who was with them that I would have given her one too if she had been wearing a helmet. She said she didn't have one. That's when I wish I carried extra helmets. However, there are programs available in the community for very low-cost helmets.
So, 7 dollars in 42 miles isn't too bad considering the heat and the miles I spent on rural roads. So far, my "Thanks for Wearing a Helmet" campaign has had an overwhelmingly positive response. It's also fun to see the looks on the kids faces when I hand them a dollar JUST for wearing a helmet!
Thursday, August 2, 2012
The Desired Effect
I headed out on the Chehalis Western Trail tonight armed with a stack of one dollar bills with "Thanks for wearing a helmet" cards stapled to each one.
Sadly, of the six or so kids I saw riding on the trail, none were wearing a helmet. When I got to the Chambers Lake parking lot, I decided to head out on the road over to Boulevard Rd. because the bugs were really thick on the trail. I did give a couple of dollars to a couple on a tandem even though they were adults because the gal who was the stoker (rider on the back) had a bright pink feather boa on her helmet. I just had to stop and reward that awesomeness!
From Boulevard I cut through a couple of neighborhoods, but still didn't see any helmeted kids.
I got back on the trail at Yelm Hwy and headed south. After getting to Fir Tree Rd and not seeing any kids, I turned around and headed for home. As I was cutting through Horizon Point I came across three boys riding bikes. Of the three, only one was wearing a helmet. I said, "Hey, you with the helmet. I've got something for you." I stopped and pulled out a dollar bill with the the card on it. I gave it to him and asked him if he knew what the card said. He read it and said, "Thanks!". Now, here's the awesome part! The other two boys said, "Did you give him a dollar just because he is wearing a helmet?" I told them that was right. They both said they would go get their helmets. I told them I'd catch them next time when they had their helmets on. The kid who got the dollar rode down his street waving the dollar and yelling to everyone on the street, "I got this dollar for wearing my helmet!" As I rode by the house of one of the helmetless boys, I heard who might have been the mom say to the little boy, "Aren't you missing something?" The helmetless boys also asked me when I was going to come back. I told them I didn't know, but they should have their helmets on for when I did! I'm guessing those two boys will be out everyday riding with their helmets on! That's what I'm looking to accomplish with my "Thanks for wearing a helmet" campaign!
Sadly, of the six or so kids I saw riding on the trail, none were wearing a helmet. When I got to the Chambers Lake parking lot, I decided to head out on the road over to Boulevard Rd. because the bugs were really thick on the trail. I did give a couple of dollars to a couple on a tandem even though they were adults because the gal who was the stoker (rider on the back) had a bright pink feather boa on her helmet. I just had to stop and reward that awesomeness!
From Boulevard I cut through a couple of neighborhoods, but still didn't see any helmeted kids.
I got back on the trail at Yelm Hwy and headed south. After getting to Fir Tree Rd and not seeing any kids, I turned around and headed for home. As I was cutting through Horizon Point I came across three boys riding bikes. Of the three, only one was wearing a helmet. I said, "Hey, you with the helmet. I've got something for you." I stopped and pulled out a dollar bill with the the card on it. I gave it to him and asked him if he knew what the card said. He read it and said, "Thanks!". Now, here's the awesome part! The other two boys said, "Did you give him a dollar just because he is wearing a helmet?" I told them that was right. They both said they would go get their helmets. I told them I'd catch them next time when they had their helmets on. The kid who got the dollar rode down his street waving the dollar and yelling to everyone on the street, "I got this dollar for wearing my helmet!" As I rode by the house of one of the helmetless boys, I heard who might have been the mom say to the little boy, "Aren't you missing something?" The helmetless boys also asked me when I was going to come back. I told them I didn't know, but they should have their helmets on for when I did! I'm guessing those two boys will be out everyday riding with their helmets on! That's what I'm looking to accomplish with my "Thanks for wearing a helmet" campaign!
The Reward
Here's what I will hand out to kids who I encounter on my bike travels who are wearing a helmet.
My New Project
Many moons ago (in a kingdom far far away known as Seattle) I worked as a Pediatric Rehab nurse at a well known Children's Hospital. I saw many kids with head injuries--some sustained from riding their bicycle without a helmet. I did not wear a helmet when I was a kid, but after seeing the effects of an accident where a helmet may have prevented a serious head injury, I started wearing a bike helmet.
Flash to present time where I am riding much more than I did back then. I still ALWAYS wear my helmet. In over 25,000 miles of riding, I have only crashed once. In that one crash, I cracked my helmet. I'm sure glad it was my helmet and not my head!
I ride alot on the streets and trails in my community and the neighboring communities. I am always disappointed when I see a kid riding without a helmet (on the street or the trail). I've always wanted to do something about it. To that end, I have cooked up a little project. It's really very simple. Everytime I encounter a kid who is wearing a helmet, I'm going to stop and give them a dollar and thank them for wearing a helmet. Simple as that. I'm going to reward the positive behavior and ignore the negative behavior. I will also include a small card that says, "Thanks for wearing a helmet" along with this blog address. Do I think giving a single dollar is going to make a big difference? Probably not (maybe if it was, say, a $10 bill, but I can't afford that). But, what if that kid tells his/her friends that some crazy lady on a bike gave him/her a dollar just because he/she had a helmet on? Maybe, just maybe, that friend might consider donning a helmet in case they might meet the crazy lady and also get a dollar.
So, this blog will not be filled with statistics of why everyone should wear a helmet. I'm fully aware of all the debate of helmet use vs. no helmets. It is merely my opinion that helmets are a good idea. You also probably won't see many photos. As a parent, I might get a little freaked out if my kids' photo showed up on some stranger's blog. This will just be a place to tell about my successes (and failures) in my efforts to tell kids, "Thanks for wearing a helmet"!
Flash to present time where I am riding much more than I did back then. I still ALWAYS wear my helmet. In over 25,000 miles of riding, I have only crashed once. In that one crash, I cracked my helmet. I'm sure glad it was my helmet and not my head!
I ride alot on the streets and trails in my community and the neighboring communities. I am always disappointed when I see a kid riding without a helmet (on the street or the trail). I've always wanted to do something about it. To that end, I have cooked up a little project. It's really very simple. Everytime I encounter a kid who is wearing a helmet, I'm going to stop and give them a dollar and thank them for wearing a helmet. Simple as that. I'm going to reward the positive behavior and ignore the negative behavior. I will also include a small card that says, "Thanks for wearing a helmet" along with this blog address. Do I think giving a single dollar is going to make a big difference? Probably not (maybe if it was, say, a $10 bill, but I can't afford that). But, what if that kid tells his/her friends that some crazy lady on a bike gave him/her a dollar just because he/she had a helmet on? Maybe, just maybe, that friend might consider donning a helmet in case they might meet the crazy lady and also get a dollar.
So, this blog will not be filled with statistics of why everyone should wear a helmet. I'm fully aware of all the debate of helmet use vs. no helmets. It is merely my opinion that helmets are a good idea. You also probably won't see many photos. As a parent, I might get a little freaked out if my kids' photo showed up on some stranger's blog. This will just be a place to tell about my successes (and failures) in my efforts to tell kids, "Thanks for wearing a helmet"!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)