Why wear a bike helmet?

• Unlike cuts, bruises or broken bones, damage to the brain can last a lifetime.
• Even a low-speed fall can have severe and permanent effects.
• Outdoors, the head is vulnerable to injury from a variety of nearby objects: the street, the sidewalk, a curb, cars, and branches to name a few. All can cause serious harm in a fall or collision.

  How widespread are bike injuries?

• Bike-related crashes kill about 900 people a year in the U.S., and injure 567,000 others.
• Only about 43% of all bike riders wear a helmet each time they ride.
• Wearing a bike helmet reduces your risk of serious head and brain injury by 85%.

  How do I choose a proper bike helmet?

• Choose a helmet that meets the standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
• Make sure the helmet is snug and does not slide from side-to-side or front-to-back when the chinstrap is tightened.
• The helmet should fit level and cover the top of the forehead. Ventilated helmets are both cool and light.
• For added safety, choose one in a color that motorists will easily see.

  Does the Health Department assist with bike helmet safety?

• Yes. Our Emergency Medical Services Program for Children teaches children at schools, health fairs, churches and other events about the proper use of bike helmets.
• We also educate families at these events about the importance of a bike helmet.
• Wearing a bike helmet while riding a bike is much like wearing a seatbelt in a car. It should be part of your regular riding routine.