Helmet Use in Preventing Bicycle Injuries

The use of helmets is essential especially when riding a bicycle. Aside from protective pads, helmets can shield riders from head injuries. Surprisingly though, not all states enact bicycle helmet laws. 

No less than the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) supports the enactment of bicycle helmet usage laws.

Only twenty one states have a helmet law for bicyclists.   Generally, helmet requirement is imposed on riders below a certain age, mostly about 16. These leave 29 states with no bicycle helmet law.

Proponents of bicycle helmet laws provide for the following arguments:

1.    Helmets can prevent injuries and deaths which likely result to bicycle accidents.

2.    Helmets have saved lives as attested by battered and broken helmets.

3.    Studies have proved that helmets protect the heads against all injuries.

In fact, about 88% of head injuries or deaths are avoided by using helmets. Moreover, a decrease in number of deaths among cyclists is a proof that wearing helmet works.

4.    Wearing helmets is better than no protection at all.

While injuries still occur with the use of helmets, chances are great that more serious injury happen without wearing a helmet.