Cyclist Saved by Protective Helmet

By Rob Lowry

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MADISON - A truck ran over his head and he lived to tell about it. University of Wisconsin graduate student Ryan Lipscomb, 26, only had a mild concussion after his terrifying accident. He hopes this is a lesson to others to put on their helmets. "I still am amazed, you know, that I'm here," Lipscomb said. "Obviously without the helmet, I wouldn't be." It happened Friday as Lipscomb was riding quickly down a bike path. There is a traffic light where the bike path crosses a city street. When Lipscomb got to the intersection, he saw he had the green light, but he also saw that a truck turning right wasn't going to stop. Lipscomb slammed on his brakes and flipped into the street. That's when the truck ran over his head. He can't describe the feeling, except to say he felt a lot of pressure. The driver of the truck drove away. "He or she definitely knew that they ran over my head," Lipscomb said. "Yeah, I was in the street. You can tell when you run over things in a car." Lipscomb hopes his story shocks drivers into greater awareness and reminds cyclists about safety. "I've told my friends to go get helmets and they are," he said. Studies show bike helmet usage is up pretty dramatically in the last decade or so. But, it's estimated that only around half of riders wear them. After his experience, Lipscomb would like to see that change.