Why Are Bike Helmets Important?
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) found that bike accidents kill about 900 people and lead to an additional 567,000 emergency room visits per year. Of the estimated 51 million bike riders in the United States, the National Survey of Bicyclist and Pedestrian Attitudes and Behavior found that half don’t use a helmet.Head InjuriesAccording to the CPSC, biking has more than twice the incidence of head injuries of any other sport studied. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) estimates that bicycle helmets reduce head-injury risk by 85 percent.FatalitiesThe IIHS found that the most serious injury in most cycling-related fatalities is to the head. Based on IIHS statistics, 95 percent of those killed in cycling-related accidents in 2006 were not wearing a helmet.Modeling Good BehaviorIt is important for adults to wear their bike helmets on every ride to model proper helmet use to children.Helmet LawsTwenty-one states, the District of Colombia and many local communities
