Here at HeliBars we often hear moving tales of how our product has “saved” the day by allowing riders to ride longer. To be more passionate about their sport. To feel the wind whipping by them as they hit the open road. Some as they enter their golden years of 70, 80 and beyond. Others as they hit the open road for the first time. It’s heart warming to hear their stories.
This story brought our hearts to our throats and tears to our eyes and we want to share it with you. Please allow us to introduce to you Officer Jamie Bernau of the Mesa Police Department Traffic Unit. Below is an email we received from Officer Bernau on April 8th:
“I just wanted to give you an update. Some good news, some bad. The bars I had on my police motorcycle did an excellent job. The other two officers that are testing them praise them as well. I love the bars and I have on my own personal motorcycle.
Unfortunately, back on Feb. 16th, I was involved in a serious on-duty collision with a motor vehicle. The other driver was being inattentive and pulled into the roadway, directly in front of my path. I struck the vehicle head on and was launched from my motorcycle 49 feet. I lost consciousness and tumbled an additional 59 feet on the ground. I sustained an “open book” pelvic fracture, broken right foot, right hand, and some road rash to my face, legs, and hands. I underwent surgery and was in the hospital for two weeks. I’m currently bound to a wheel chair and will have a long recovery.
The investigators on scene noticed the HeliBars rotated to the front and collapsed. They also believed the bars helped me catapult from the motorcycle. My motorcycle was engulfed in flames from the impact.
Currently, Probity Cycle is in the process of building a replacement PD bike. It will be a few months until I can get back on the bike, but I would like to have the same handle bars available when I’m back on duty.
Sincerely,
Officer Jamie Bernau
Mesa Police Department
Traffic Unit”
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