TV chef Gordon Ramsay has mentioned he’s fortunate to be alive after crashing his bicycle, and has urged cyclists to put on a helmet.
The 57-year-old, who has competed in triathlons and Ironman occasions, revealed the main points of a “actually dangerous accident” he had just lately whereas using his bike. He shared a video on X on Saturday afternoon, writing that he was “grateful for my helmet that saved my life”.
“I would wish to share a vital message with you all,” Ramsay mentioned. “You understand how a lot I like biking and triathlons and Ironmans and so on. This week, sadly, I had a very dangerous accident and it actually shook me. Truthfully, I am fortunate to be right here.
“These unbelievable trauma surgeons, medical doctors, nurses within the hospital that sorted me this week, they had been superb, however actually, you have to put on a helmet,” he continued. “I do not care how quick the journey is. I do not care [about] the truth that these helmets price cash, they’re essential. Even with the youngsters, [on] a brief journey, they have to put on a helmet.”
In the course of the video, Ramsay lifted his chef’s jacket to disclose a big purple bruise overlaying the left aspect of his stomach.
“I am fortunate to be standing right here,” he mentioned. “I am in ache. It has been a brutal week, and I am type of getting via it. However, I can’t let you know the significance of sporting a helmet.
“This weekend is huge, it is Father’s Day, for brand spanking new fathers, outdated fathers, middle-aged fathers. I need to want you all a really pleased Father’s Day, however please, please, please, please put on a helmet. As a result of if I did not, actually, I would not be right here now.”
Sporting a helmet just isn’t at the moment a authorized requirement within the UK, though the Freeway Code suggests it for cyclists.
“It is best to put on a cycle helmet that conforms to present laws, is the right measurement and securely mounted,” the Freeway Code says. “Proof suggests {that a} appropriately fitted helmet will scale back your threat of sustaining a head damage in sure circumstances.”
Main charity Biking UK is against the thought of obligatory helmet sporting, citing issues that it’d put individuals off biking.
“Helmets are, and might solely be, designed to resist minor knocks and falls, not severe visitors collisions,” Biking UK writes on its web site.
The charity provides that sporting a helmet “may even be counter-productive, by encouraging drivers or cyclists to behave much less cautiously, and/or by growing the dangers of neck and different accidents.”