It is absolutely necessary to put a helmet on for children when they ride a bike… For parents too! The bicycle helmet is for everyone.
A bicycle accident should not be dramatic… But on one condition, at least: that you wear a helmet… And children, in particular, do not wear this helmet often enough…
The bicycle kills 400 children a year in the United States. A team from one of the major pediatric hospitals in Los Angeles revealed that these young victims were mostly boys, aged 13 on average. Only 11% of hospitalized children wore a helmet.
The official recommendation in France says: “Wearing a bicycle helmet is not compulsory; just essential”. Everyman can therefore always roll his head unprotected However, according to road safety, for more than 25 million people riding a bicycle, the bicycle costs each year, in France, more than 250 lives, and more than 6000 wounded.
In the event of a fall from a bicycle, it is often the head that suffers…
While safety has steadily improved over the past 30 years, at the same time the severity of accidents has remained constant. In particular, the head is indeed affected one time out of three – one time out of two even, if we look at children under ten – and above all, these head injuries are the cause of three out of four deaths. Another study carried out in the United States, the country where the modern helmet was born, shows that its use reduces most head injuries by 80%.
It is estimated that in France, a little more than one in ten cyclists adopts this protection. This is why our health authorities would like everyone to be inspired by the example of professionals, placing the emphasis – this is always an additional motivation – on children, because two thirds of accidents occur in under 15 years old.
Cheap
A bicycle helmet is not expensive, contrary to what a stubborn legend would have us believe: all brands today offer efficient, inexpensive helmets, from 10 to 50 €, and with a fabulous look. The manufacturers offer extremely solid products although very light – on average 290 grams – thanks to a polystyrene shell which protects the skull as a whole. Ventilation ducts are supposed to cool the head.
Finally, on a bike, when it comes to looks, you have to be seen, if not respected. Admittedly, the multicolored outfits covered in ads are not particularly trendy, but they have an interest: to arouse the attention of drivers.
We always talk about the helmet, but you also need a good bike, especially one that brakes, and with well-inflated tires. And good roads… These are decisive factors. The better the roads, the more cyclists there are and there are fewer accidents. The example of Denmark is exemplary in this respect.
