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CYCLISTS SHOULD WEAR HELMETS
In 1999, the Florida repealed its mandatory helmet law for motorcycle drivers. The next year, both severe brain damage and deaths in motorcycle riders doubled (1). Before the repeal of the helmet law, there were 52 cases of severe head trauma in motorcyclists evaluated at University of Miami Medical Center from July 1, 2000, through December 31, 2000. After repeal, there were 94 cases. Motorcyclists went from 83 percent using helmets down to 56 percent after they were not forced to wear them. This shows that some motorcyclists may not benefit from wearing helmets because they don't have anything to protect.
The same applies to bicycle riders. In 1997, 64 of 67 counties in Florida passed laws requiring helmet use by bicyclists younger than 16. In counties mandating helmet use, 79 percent of riders wore helmets, compared to 33 percent in counties without the law. Many recent studies show that bicycle helmets prevent injuries and death (2, 3). Head injuries cause three quarters of all deaths from bicycle and motorcycle accidents.
A woodpecker bangs its head harder with every peck than you do when you hit your head in an auto accident. But the woodpecker's brain is protected because its skull allows no movement of its brain inside. Your brain is enclosed in a sac of fluid. When you hit your head, your brain bounces around and is damaged as it bangs against the sides of your skull. A helmet protects your head like a woodpecker's skull if it fits properly. Good helmets have a stiff liner that fits tightly around your head and a strong chin strap that holds your helmet tightly on your head, allowing no movement (4). If you can move your helmet when it is fastened, it doesn't fit.
.1) The impact of a repealed motorcycle helmet law in Miami-Dade county. Journal of Trauma - Injury Infection and Critical Care, 2002, Vol 52, Iss 3, pp 469-473. GA Hotz, SM Cohn, C Popkin, P Ekeh, R Duncan, W Johnson, F Pernas, J Selem. Cohn SM, Ryder Trauma Ctr, 215, 1800 NW 10th Ave, Miami,FL 33136 USA.
2) The effectiveness of a state law mandating use of bicycle helmets among children: An observational evaluation. American Journal of Epidemiology, 2001, Vol 154, Iss 11, pp 1072-1076. D Kanny, RA Schieber, V Pryor, MJ Kresnow. Schieber RA, Ctr Dis Control & Prevent, Div Unintent Injury Prevent, Natl Ctr Injury Prevent & Control, 4770 Buford Highway NE, Mailstop K-63, Atlanta,GA 30341 USA.
3) Bicycle helmet effectiveness in children: systematic qualitative review. Archives de Pediatrie, 2001, Vol 8, Iss 11, pp 1246-1250. F Lastennet, J Sizun, M Dobrzynski, L deParscau. Sizun J, Ctr Hosp Univ, Clin Med Pediat, 7 Quai Moncousu, F-44093 Nantes 1, FRANCE.
4) A Consumer's Guide to Bicycle Helmets.. Washington Area Bicycle Association. 1015 31St Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20003.
Checked 8/31/05