According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's bicycle safety page, more than 500,000 people are treated in emergency rooms each year for bicycle-related injuries---and more than 700 will die from those injuries. In 2001, children younger than 15 accounted for 59 percent of all cycling-related cases treated in U.S. emergency rooms.
Given these alarming numbers, the question is not whether it is necessary to wear a helmet, but rather why more riders aren't already. As more and more people try commuting via bicycle to promote a cleaner planet and save money on gasoline, this issue becomes one of rising importance.
History of the bicycle helmet
From the earliest days of bicycling, head injuries were always a problem. High-wheel cyclists in the 1880s turned to helmets---probably made from a material known as "pith"---to try and minimize the risk of personal injury. The low number of cars on the road in cycling's early days meant that riders only needed protection from a single impact.
In the 1970s, the Snell Foundation introduced the first bicycle helmet standard in the United States, but at the time only a light motorcycle helmet could pass it. Today, there are a multitude of safety helmets available in all shapes and sizes, with varying levels of protection.
Road, commuter and youth helmets
Each helmet variety has its own benefits and drawbacks. Road helmets originally were made for bicycling on roads and road racing. These are the most popular helmets throughout the world, and millions are sold every year. Commuter helmets, such as Bell's metro model, have a rounded shape and are made from plastic-covered foam with vents. These helmets sometimes come equipped with accessories such as mirrors and rear blinkers. Youth helmets are simply smaller versions of a helmet designed for young riders.
Mountain bike and downhill race helmets
The term mountain bike helmet simply means that the item in question is essentially a road helmet that has a built-on visor. Downhill race helmets are motorcycle-style helmets, usually with a chin bar for added facial protection. These are one of the only options for road riders who want facial protection with ventilation.
BMX and skate helmets
Skate helmets, boasting a round, smooth shell design, are the best helmets for hitting the pavement at high speeds. Most skate helmets only adhere to the CPSC bicycle helmet standard, but the best models adhere to the ASTM F1492 skateboard helmet standard as well. BMX helmets are little more than motorcycle helmets for BMX applications. The best of these will adhere to the Department of Transportation motorcycle standard.
Chrono helmets
These helmets are engineered for maximum aerodynamic efficiency at racing speeds. Most of these feature an elongated teardrop shape. Primarily used for racing time trial events, these helmets are not recommended for the casual rider as there is concern about the long tails acting like a lever to jerk the head in a crash.
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