Bike helmets are an economical health care investment when you think of the alternatives. While they can be slightly bulky and hot, a helmet can save your life. The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute reports that New York City released a report on a study of bike safety. The study showed that helmets may reduce risk of death, and included figures reporting that helmet use among New York bicyclists with serious injuries was low at 13 percent, and even lower -- 3 percent -- among bicyclists killed.
Price
Whether you buy a helmet in the $20 range or spend $150 to $200, you should have about the same levels of protection, according to impact research carried out by the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute. The BHSI says paying more for a helmet could give you a better fit, more vents and possibly better graphics, but when it comes to lowering the risk of a serious head injury, performance is nearly identical.
Certification
According to the BHSI, the benchmark standard for every helmet made after 1999 is called the Consumer Product Safety Commission, or CPSC, bike helmet standard law. This helmet standard tests each model for impact performance and strap strength. When you go to the store to shop for a helmet, keep the CPSC law name in mind and look for assurances from the vendor or the packaging that the model you're buying has met the standards.
Details
The BHSI also says helmets can prevent up to 88 percent of brain injuries to cyclists, but notes that many helmet users who think they are protected are actually still at risk because their helmets are improperly adjusted. Helmets must be worn level on the head, and the straps must be adjusted so the fit is snug but still comfortable. Kids, in particular, need a helmet that is the right size and adjusted properly.
Costs
Wearing a helmet can prevent head injuries and the high health care expenditures associated with treating the injuries. According to research published in the "Journal of Injury Prevention," in 1997, preventable head injuries represented an estimated $81 million in direct and $2.3 billion in indirect health care costs.
References
- Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute: Helmet Safety - Quick Answers
- "Journal of Injury Prevention"; State Level Estimates of the Incidence and Economic Burden of Head Injuries Stemming From Non-Universal Use of Bicycle Helmets; J. Schulman; 2002.
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