Head injuries are the most common cause of death among cyclists. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention observes that approximately 1,000 people die annually as a result of bicycle accidents and that 62 percent of those deaths are related to head injuries. They also quote a 1989 study in Seattle, which demonstrates that wearing a helmet can decrease the incidence of head injury in an accident by between 74 percent and 85 percent.
Head Injuries
Head injuries can be fatal. If you survive a head injury the effects can be life-long, leaving you with irreparable neurological damage. Even a mild head injury from shaking of your brain, known as concussion, can cause persistent symptoms. An accident does not have to be severe enough to fracture the bone of your skull. Damage can occur when your brain moves inside your head, either hitting your skull directly or twisting around.
Bicycle Accidents
You can fall as little as four feet and sustain a head injury. A simple tumble over the handlebars during a sudden stop is impact enough. During a normal fall you instinctively use your arms and legs for protection but on a bicycle your limbs are busy. Your head will hit the ground first. If you are hit by another vehicle, obviously the helmet won't prevent other injuries but bones heal, brains do not.
Helmet Effectiveness
All the available evidence suggests that bicycle helmets reduce the occurrence of head injuries among cyclists but a helmet must be used correctly to be effective. It should conform to minimum test standards, be the right size for the cyclist, be worn in the right position and be fastened correctly. An ill-fitting or incorrectly worn helmet can cause neck or facial injuries. Helmets must also be replaced after any impact.
Choosing a Helmet
Check for a safety seal of approval. These may be from the American National Standards Institute, the Consumer Product Safety Commission or the Snell Memorial Foundation. Ensure that it fits you by trying to move it around on your head. If it slides more than one inch up and down or side to side, use the pads provided with it to make a tighter fit.
Other Safety Considerations
Don't substitute a bicycle helmet for careful cycling and good observation. Make yourself visible with lights and high-visibility clothing. Be sure to wear and fasten your helmet as described in the manufacturers instructions. It should lay flat on the top of your head, not tilted forward or backwards and should fasten directly under your chin.
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