Michael Rifkin’s
helmet was cracked and mangled in the crash.
GREENE – Michael Rifkin plans to make a sculpture out of the wreckage of his bicycle helmet. The Auburn doctor wants people to know that a helmet can save your life. And he should know.
Last Thursday, Rifkin was knocked from his bicycle when a car struck him from behind while he was riding in Turner. He spent a few nights in Central Maine Medical Center where he was treated for multiple injuries.
A partner at Family Health Care Associates on Stetson Road, Rifkin was recovering from his injuries at his home in Greene.
“Under the circumstances, he’s doing very well,” said Rifkin’s wife, Laura. “He’s making a very good recovery.”
Maine State Police were investigating the crash. Details about the collision were not available Monday night.
One thing was clear to Laura Rifkin, however. Had the doctor not been wearing safety equipment when he was struck, he would not likely be sitting at home with her Monday night. He might not be alive at all.
“He suffered some serious trauma, but his bicycle helmet saved his life. It was blown apart,” she said.
Not only was the helmet cracked and mangled in the crash, pieces of it were strewn along the road. The Rifkins have since gone back to the crash site to collect fragments of the helmet. They want to make a sculpture out of it and somehow, use it to promote bicycle safety.
Rifkin is one of five partners at Family Health Care Associates. He has been working in the Twin Cities since 1980, when he joined the Family Practice Center at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston.
It was unknown when Rifkin will be well enough to return to his practice.
“He’s out this week for sure,” Laura Rifkin said. “I don’t know about next week. He’s still very stiff and sore.”
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