Cycle helmets prevent most serious cycle injuries

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 8, Issue 372, 5 February 1991, Page 5

Cycle helmets prevent most serious cycle injuries

Students returning to school will be the most likely casualties of cycle accidents this month says Chief Traffic Superintendent, Phil Wright. He believed cycle helmets would greatly reduce the severity of most injuries. "Most cycle injuries requiring hospitalization are to the head or face. The possibility of skull fracture or brain damage exists even when a cyclist hits the ground at a slow speed. Overseas studies show the use of approved helmets increases head protection up to 19 times." "Safety helmet use has increased to 58% among primary and secondary school students. Despite this, thousands will be ill equipped for the road. When you consider almost three quarters of daily cyclist commuters are school pupils, the importance of cycle helmets is clear" Controller for Road User Standards, Warren Simeon, said it was vital that parents or guardians taught their children to use cycle helmets at a young age. With the success of the helmet

campaign in recent years the problem of peer pressure against helmet wearing has1 waned. "But children should be included in the decision to buy a cycle helmet so they're happy with its style, weight and colour", he said. Cycle helmets should be strong, lightweight and have an outer protective shell as well as an inner shell of shock absorbent material.. They should be of a light, visible colour, fit the wearer properly and be of a recognized approved standard. "As with motorcycle helmets, cycle helmets are designed to protect the wearer in an accident only once. Even if damage to a helmet is not visible after an accident, it should either be replaced or checked by the manufacturer" Mr Simeon said it was also important that bicycles themselves were also safe and well maintained. In particular, bikes must have good brakes on both wheels, be visible at night and be the correct size for the rider.