That's a good idea. I work for the Metro in St Louis, and we have problems with people riding for free. The fare card system is confusing to some. I've ridden the light rail system and heard other riders describe it as harassment. Security officers walk down the aisles occasionally to check for cards. Paying with cell phones would be a more convenient solution. The major problem is capital investment - it takes a bit of money to change the system, and large organizations are always slow to change. Hopefully money will start flowing from new sources, and we can implement systems like paying with cell phones.

I went out on Bike the Drive again anticipating another fun trip. It is so fun to ride with almost 20,000 others.

Since I had moved downtown and knowing the hills along the north route I decided to go to Bryn Mawr first and back to the Museum of Science and Industry. The wind and the hills were alot of effort and I was glad I chose that route. Unfortunately, on the way back south another rider got into the rut around Diversey, lost control, and flew down in front of me. I was knocked down and hit the road hard. Several stopped and, thank goodness, several volunters arrived to help. I went to the side stunned and took off my helmet. As I answered the questions I looked into my helmet and saw some breaks inside. Offered a call to ambulances I turned them down (I wanted to continue)and another volunteer-a doctor-rode with me downtown.

After arriving there we went to First Aid and they recommended I go to a hospital in an ambulance which I turned down as I was feeling all right. I walked around the event and then rode home with the idea of taking the Red Line to the Illinois Masonic emergency room for a check-up since I had suffered a previous bike injury-without a helmet since I was taking a simple ride-on a suburban bike path. That time I was knocked unconcious and bleeding from the head. A couple then arrived on their bicycles and called the paramedics. The next day I was given brain surgery and in a coma for over a month.

At Illinois Masonic it was felt that I only had scrapes however, due to my previous problem, they felt that a CT scan of my head was in order. The result was that I had suffered a "temporal bone fracture" (crack in the skull) and given treatment.

Thank God that the Active Transportation Alliance requires wearing a helmet when riding. I, after my previous experience, always wear a helmet when riding, but their requirement reenforces my compliance. The fact that I had mine on literally saved my life. Based on my previous injury, the slight crack to my skull was minor but would have been major and fatal if the helmet had not absorbed the blow.

The volunteers were fabulous, the doc that rode with me, and the First Aid voluteers concern were all very helpful. I write this to offer my thanks to all, but mainly to convince other bicycle riders to ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET, no matter how short or long a ride. I have only fallen twice in over forty years of riding my bike. The first one without a helmet was almost fatal. The one wearing the helmet saved my life-I only had scrapes and am fine today. I'll enjoy riding in the future with gratitude to the services of the Alliance.