While reading the paper this past weekend, I came upon an article addressing two issues that are near and dear to my life:  cycling and brain injury.  I commute by bike approximately 14 km each way every day to our offices where I then represent individuals with mild, moderate and severe brain injuries.  Reading this article, in which Mr. Cox described being hit by a street race 25 years ago at the age of 31, really struck home:  “There’s a lot to lose by not wearing a bike helmet.”  Although I have been fortunate enough not to have had any major altercations with vehicles in my cycling career, it is something I think about every day as I put on my helmet and turn on the 4 lights on my bike.  Wearing a helmet is required according to section 184 of the Motor Vehicle Act, and for good reason.  Time and time again, I hear about catastrophic injuries to cyclists and think that at least some of them may have been avoided had the rider been properly equipped and wearing a helmet.  As Mr. Cox quotes, and as is sometimes the experience of our clients:

Cyclists who flout the law by not wearing a helmet might lose more than just their lives – they might lose who they are.  They might become so impossible to live with that all they love leave them.

Certainly, if you or a family member is in this situation where a brain injury is affecting every aspect of your life and you require legal assistance, please contact us.  Otherwise, be safe out there and wear your helmet!