While helmets offer protection, it’s important to match the head gear to the sport and to get the right fit. Let’s begin with the basics. How do helmets help, exactly? “Helmets protect the head in two ways. Take the example of a football player. When he’s tackled, the helmet’s hard outer shell spreads the impact over a bigger area, which reduces the force of that impact. The soft foam inside the helmet acts as a shock absorber. Upon impact, it compresses, then gradually regains its original form. That slows down the movement or vibration between the brain and the skull, which reduces injury and the risk of skull fractures,” Dr. Callender explains. (Southeast Georgia Health System)
Biking has become one of the most eco-friendly and popular methods of recreation and commuting in America. In 2022, the number of Americans who rode a bike reached 54.7 million, up from 51.4 million the year before. Biking is an excellent way to stay active, but it’s important to be safe, as biking is a common cause of brain injury.
Motor vehicle accidents, including those associated with bikes, are the third most common cause of TBI. This makes helmet usage more important than anything when riding any type of bike. Helmets reduce the likelihood of brain injuries by 65 percent to 88 percent, and they lower the risk of facial injuries to the upper and mid-face by 65 percent. They reduce the risk of severe brain injury by 75 percent. With the research showing these consistent statistics, it’s not hard to see the benefits of wearing a helmet while riding a bicycle.
Bicycling leads to the highest number of sport and recreation-related emergency department (ED) visits for traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in the United States. The use of bicycle helmets was found to reduce head injury by 48 percent, serious head injury by 60 percent, traumatic brain injury by 53 percent, face injury by 23 percent, and the total number of killed or seriously injured cyclists by 34 percent. (Brain Injury Association of America)