The Advantages of Wearing Helmets for Bike Riding

Bike helmets are designed to protect your head against impact while cycling. Bike helmets sold in the U.S. are required by law to meet stringent safety standards set by the Consumer Products Safety Commission. They are are available in three different models: sport, road and mountain bike. The bike helmets designed today are light, comfortable and stylish, while still providing adequate head protection.

  1. Protection

    • Approximately 1,000 persons die from injuries caused by bicycle crashes each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The most serious injuries were to the head in the majority of those killed, stressing the importance of bike helmets. Injuries to the head account for 67 percent of bicycle-related hospital admissions, 33 percent of bicycle-related emergency room visits and 62 percent of bicycle-related deaths. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has called helmets the best way to protect yourself from head injuries caused by bike accidents.

    Visibility

    • Wear a bike helmet to help make you more visible to vehicles and other bicycle riders, which will increase your safety while on the road. Purchase a brightly colored helmet that will help you stand out while cycling at night, during poor weather, or other times of low road visibility. You can add reflective tape along the sides and back of the helmet to help you stand out even more.

    Legality

    • Bike helmets may keep you and your family members within the law. Bike helmet laws are enforced in 22 states and 196 municipalities. Most of the laws only apply to those under the age of 16. In some states, children are required by law to wear a helmet while riding as a passenger on the back or front of a bike. New York State introduced a helmet law in 1989 stating that passengers under five are required to wear a helmet. The number of bike riders under the age of five who were hospitalized from bicycle-related head injuries dropped from 464 in 1990 to 209 in 1995.