What are the facts?

716 bicyclists died on US roads in 2008.  One-seventh of cyclists killed were between 5 and 15 years old.  Bike helmets reduce serious head injury by about 88%.  If you fall off your bike, whether you are going fast or slow, the helmet takes the force of the collision rather than your head. 

What are the recommendations?

1. Make sure the bike helmet is safe.  It should be approved by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), American National Standards Institutes (ANSI) or Snell Memorial Foundation.
2. Make sure it fits well.  You should not be able to move the helmet more than one inch in any direction.  Wear the helmet flat on the top of your head. It will not be protective if it is tipped back.  It should cover the top of your forehead and the straps should form a V under each ear.
3. If you are in a bicycle accident, replace your helmet with a new one.

Advice to improve bike helmet use:

1. Be a good role model. Wear one yourself.
2. Recognize that fashion can be an important factor.  Consider buying a new helmet if the old one is out of favor.  Check out this web site for cool bike helmets: www.yakkay.com
3. For parents, try to get your child’s friends wearing bike helmets, or at least his/her closest friends.  Parents should talk to other parents.
4. Observe or experience bike races, triathlons, Tours de France…the racers are most likely well equipped with bike helmets.
5. Create and uphold your family law:  NO HELMET, NO BIKE (no exception).

Happy (and safe) pedaling!!

REFERENCE: American Academy of Pediatrics. Policy Statement – Bicycle helmets: committee on injury and poison prevention. Aappolicy.aappublicaions.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;108/4/1030. February 1007, revised August, 2008.