your game, then you had better wear a helmet! At least, that's the message of 34-year-old cycling enthusiast Mr. Richard Read.

Mr. Read is walking proof of the importance of headgear after he crashed on the railway trail near Khyber Pass in Warwick this week.

He was riding from work to his Southampton home, when he hit a mound of rubble and catapulted over the front of the bike.

His head smashed against some rock, stunning him for about 30 seconds.

But while his helmet was badly damaged, Mr. Read escaped unscathed, bar a few scratches.

Now Mr. Read hopes his experience will be a lesson for the many cyclists who tempt fate by riding without headgear.

"I am really thankful I had a helmet. Without one, I would have been seriously injured,'' he said yesterday.

Mr. Read's message was backed up by Bermuda Bicycle Association media relations officer Mr. Greg Hopkins.

Mr. Hopkins pointed out wearing helmets was compulsory at events run by the association.

But he said too many "recreational'' cyclists believed they did not ride fast enough to wear protective gear.

"Speed, however, is totally irrelevant,'' Mr. Hopkins stressed.

Mr. Hopkins said cyclists had to ask themselves whether their lives were worth the price of a helmet.

After all, approved safety helmets cost as low as $30, he added.

GET A HEAD START -- Cyclist Richard Read holds the damaged helmet at the scene of his accident. He is now highlighting the importance of wearing helmets.

Biker living proof of need for helmet If you want to get ahead, get a hat. So goes the old saying. But if cycling is your game, then you had better wear a helmet! At least, that's the message of 34-year-old cycling enthusiast Mr. Richard Read.

Mr. Read is walking proof of the importance of headgear after he crashed on the railway trail near Khyber Pass in Warwick this week.

He was riding from work to his Southampton home, when he hit a mound of rubble and catapulted over the front of the bike.

His head smashed against some rock, stunning him for about 30 seconds.

But while his helmet was badly damaged, Mr. Read escaped unscathed, bar a few scratches.

Now Mr. Read hopes his experience will be a lesson for the many cyclists who tempt fate by riding without headgear.

"I am really thankful I had a helmet. Without one, I would have been seriously injured,'' he said yesterday.

Mr. Read's message was backed up by Bermuda Bicycle Association media relations officer Mr. Greg Hopkins.

Mr. Hopkins pointed out wearing helmets was compulsory at events run by the association.

But he said too many "recreational'' cyclists believed they did not ride fast enough to wear protective gear.

"Speed, however, is totally irrelevant,'' Mr. Hopkins stressed.

Mr. Hopkins said cyclists had to ask themselves whether their lives were worth the price of a helmet.

After all, approved safety helmets cost as low as $30, he added.