[netc]

I guess you are lucky. I had a fall which could had taken me to ER. It happened when I was relatively new to road bike and tried to enter a drive way like a car. Wheel of my bike trammed along the road and sidewalk (about 2 inches high). I lost balance, took a fall on concrete sidewalk. Right side of my helmet took the hit. The impact was severe enough, it was dark (not pitch dark) in front of my eyes for next few seconds. However, I was able to bike back after 15 mins of rest. I can't imagine doing that without the helmet.

[Patrick_Devine]

Let me be more clear. My point wasn't "don't wear a helmet", my point was the state doesn't need to pass a law to make helmet wearing compulsory. If the government was serious about making cycling safer it would provide better cycling facilities such as protected bike lanes and bike boulevards. People should be able to make the helmet decision themselves.

With that said, I'm really sorry about your accident. I'm glad the helmet protected you and hopefully your fall didn't dissuade you from future cycling. As you get more comfortable riding, your chances of having a freak accident like that will become less and less.

[netc]

Thanks. I do agree better infrastructure will make bike riding safer. In my opinion helmet is to bike what seat belt is to car. In general, I'd agree that people should make their own decisions and government do not need to make laws. But I have met couple of families who do not care about seat belt, even for their kids! How do you make such people understand the value of seat belt? Helmet is perhaps in similar situation. Not everyone is able to understand the value of safety devices and as a society we don't want them or their kids to get injured. Making something a law allows other to help such families - we can simply call out "it's a law"