When I read the AP item a few days ago that Gene Hackman was injured in a bike accident, I was concerned for him but also aggravated by the reporting. It referred to his lack of helmet, being airlifted to a hospital, and no charges or alcohol being involved. Sounded quite a bit like his injuries were his own fault for riding helmetless and that the accident was unavoidable.

http://www.theurbancountry.com/2012/01/ … n-his.html

I came across this article this morning, underscoring the same media bias that had concerned me. As they point out, Hackman was hit from BEHIND by a truck. There is no helmet law in that state. And he was airlifted because he was on an island.

I agree with the writer above: the press about Hackman’s accident illustrated the typical media bias about bike-related issues. Lots of misdirection and manipulation, likely very little of it a conscious effort on the part of the writer or editor. I’m the first to argue that helmets should always be worn (even when I skip it riding to coffee like a fool) and there’s no doubt in my mind that going down without one is of higher risk than going down with one. But the focus on his lack of helmet suggested that his injuries were his own fault, AND that they were head injuries, neither of which is necessarily true. The article takes the position I read all the time in accident reporting: no alcohol was apparently involved, so the driver couldn’t possibly be at fault because only impaired drivers assume responsibility. We are otherwise conveniently flawless behind the wheel.

Disgusting.

But get well soon, Royal!

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