Wear The Gear

This page was reviewed or revised on Monday, November 06, 2006.

Bike helmets have been proven to reduce the potential for a head injury by 85% says Donna Schmidtmeyer, Injury Prevention Health Promotion Officer with Community Health Services.

Parents are encouraged to insist on a "no helmet? No bike!" policy with their children including teens. It could save children from a life-threatening injury.

A study by the Canadian Public Health Association found that parents play a major role in making sure helmets are worn. Children of parents who wear helmets when cycling are much more likely to do the same.

Wearing bicycle helmets became law five years ago. The law states children 17 years and younger must wear a helmet while cycling. Since then, the number of injuries from bike-related incidents has dramatically dropped. For example, in 1997 there were 70 bicycle fatalities in Canada. More than half were adults over 20 years old, but in 1984 twice as many cyclists were killed and most were under 20 years of age. In the first year following the introduction of helmet legislation, the number of head injuries to bicyclists under age 15 decreased by 40%.

Consider these facts:

• The average adult skull can be shattered by an impact at 7-10 km/hr.
• A child’s skull is more vulnerable.
• A young child can cycle at an average speed of 10-15 km/hr.
• A fall from 60cm (2 feet) can cause permanent brain damage.
• A fall at 20 km/hr can result in death.

For more information on bike safety and bicycle helmets call 519-344-2062 extension 2141.

See Child Car Seat Safety