When boating with family and friends, I generally take the lead, first going through a sizable pre-launch checklist (including counting the PFDs for each person on board) before casting off lines. Once on the water, I’m thrilled to spend most of the time at the helm and eschew afternoon cocktails to ensure that we make it back to port safely. It’s a role that I’m glad to play.
I was reminded of my steadfast adherence to safety and rules one recent afternoon when I arrived home after running errands via bike around the neighborhood. Two wheels are my primary means of navigation in our dense urban environs.
I’ve been running these sorties for many years, fueled partially by the pride in saving time, gas and a parking spot. In recent years, I have opted to utilize the Citi Bike kiosks that popped up like mushrooms all over my neighborhood. One of my habits changed as well—chalk it up to a boneheaded practice that I’ve gotten used to. I’ve been leaving my helmet at home, something I’d never dream of doing while riding for exercise.
My wife smartly called me out on this and reminded me of how steadfast I am regarding safety rules whenever operating a boat. She has been next to me, puttering around at 3 knots in the bay or meandering through mooring fields, and I always clip the kill switch lanyard onto my person and have a PFD. I even added a personal locator beacon to my kit in recent years.
The only way I can defend biking sans helmet is that I thought my years of experience would protect me, and I had a flawed belief that by cycling slower and for shorter distances, I was safe from harm. It’s the same reason so many boaters ignore the kill switch or choose to leave the PFDs stored in a locker: a false sense of security and the belief that experience equals safety.
Unexpected circumstances arise on the water, fast. I, for one, refuse to take safety for granted, which reminds me: It’s time to refresh the inflatable PFDs with fresh cartridges.
This article was originally published in the September 2023 issue.
