Protect your noggin’
Aug
12
Written by:
12/08/2010 12:42 PM
The Globe and Mail article Force cyclists to wear helmets and they will (Aug. 11), about a recent study demonstrating the effectiveness of helmet legislation, helps dispel many erroneous beliefs held by many who oppose such measures, namely that bicycle helmet legislation discourages bicycling and that the costs of wearing a helmet outweigh the potential benefits.
Injury prevention requires a multi-pronged approach that addresses all facets of cycling, including the development of a strong cycling culture, along with the enforcement of mandatory helmet use.
The value of all-ages helmet legislation is twofold. First, it reduces head injuries to all cyclists and second, research has shown role modeling as effective. So if parents are wearing helmets, their children are more likely to follow suit. It has been estimated that for every one dollar spent on bike helmets, 30 dollars in injury costs are saved. This amounts to approximately $400,000 in medical costs in only the first year following a head injury.
Further, Canadian surveys have found that the majority of people support bike helmet legislation for all ages.
Copyright ©2010 Safekids Media