Don't forget about the hidden costs of not wearing a helmet has on society. No one lives in a void. Brain damaged patients rot in hospitals & nursing homes everywhere, many no longer with insurance, a burden on the able and tax-payers. Kivelev was, in a fashion, lucky. His family is not.

Biker deaths due to no helmet (or blamed on no helmets) make it tougher on everyone else. But manditory helmets may deter low risk, ie, Ma & Pa crusing around the block, from taking up biking. Personal choice, but think of others and look at the big picture, not just your life.