Posted On: February 10, 2006, 1:28 pm CST

Posted By: Robert

It's a free country and you can do what you want, handglide, skydive, whatever, as long as the rest of us don't have to pay for it. But that's the problem isn't it - We always ends up paying for these often preventable catastrophic accidents, be it medical costs or welfare and long term care when these victims can no longer function because of their permanent injuries. This burden often falls on the immediate family.

Riding in traffic is extremely hazardous but riding without a proper helmet is suicide because sooner or later somebody is going to ram your bike, even if you drive defensively. My stepson was hit by a car and badly injured while riding his bike three weeks ago and of course the whole family is feeling the effects, his mother especially. The car's in the wrong, but so what. He'll be off work for at least 6-12 months after reconstructive surgery on his knee (may need replacement ) and smashed elbow plus fracured fibula/tibula and broken wrist, all on the left side. He was wearing his motorcycle helmet( mandatory in UK ) and suffered no head or spinal cord injuries which is what we were mainly worried about - bones can be patched or replaced but head and spinal cord injuries when not fatal are most often disastrous. Wear a helmet. If you don't believe me visit the paraplegic ward at your local hospital.