Bicycle Helmet Safety
What’s the Problem?
Millions of Americans ride bicycles, but less than half wear bicycle helmets.
- Bicycle helmets prevent 52 to 60 percent of bike-related head injury deaths (for all ages), as well as an estimated 68 to 85 percent of nonfatal head and scalp injuries, and 65 percent of upper and middle face injuries, even when misuse is considered.
- 62% of cyclists killed in 2022 were not wearing helmets.
- There are no significant quality differences between expensive and cheap bike helmets.
- 843 bike riders were killed in crashes with motor vehicles in 2020.
In 2020 in the U.S., 843 bicyclists were killed and an estimated 515,000 sustained bicycle-related injuries that required emergency department care. Roughly half of these cyclists were adults and adolescents under the age of 20. Annually, 26,000 of these bicycle-related injuries to adolescents are traumatic brain injuries treated in emergency departments.
Who’s at Risk?
Any bicyclist who does not wear a bicycle helmet is at increased risk of head injury.
Can It Be Prevented?
Yes. Wearing a properly fitted helmet every time you and your children ride a bicycle is one important prevention method.
Bicycle Helmet Safety Standards
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) sets the standards for bicycle helmets sold in the United States. Approved helmets will have a “CPSC” sticker inside the helmet and will say they are CPSC-certified on the outside of their packaging.
The CPSC also recognizes certification by Snell and ASTM.
These safety standards ensure that an approved helmet will protect you in most kinds of bicycle crashes. Other kinds of helmets, such as batting helmets and construction hats, are made for different purposes and may not protect you.
Wear your Helmet and be safe when riding. It only takes one fall!!!
Respectfully,
Craig J. Woolley, Chair
