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{{short description|Type of helmet}}
{{headgear}} <!--- for more information see ]; to edit this table, go to ] --->
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
]
A '''Bicycle helmet''' is specifically designed to provide head protection for ]s. An increasing number of jurisdictions are enacting legislation requiring cyclists to wear these helmets as well as other items of ]. This legislation is controversial, with commercial interest groups lobbying in favor but other substantial bodies including the ] and cycle groups opposed to such legislation on grounds that more deaths are caused by introducing such legislation (by decreasing cycle use and increasing long term under-exercise) than are saved by it.


]
== How they work ==
]


A '''bicycle helmet''' is a type of ] designed to attenuate impacts to the head of a ] in collisions while minimizing side effects such as interference with peripheral vision.<ref name=CPSC>{{cite web
Cycle helmets are not designed to provide adequate protection for a collision involving another moving vehicle (e.g. a car). The main design challenge in making a helmet specifically for cyclists is the need to provide protection while avoiding excessive weight and providing adequate ]. Cycling can be an intense ] form of ] which significantly raises body temperature. Thus, most helmets are constructed from lightweight materials pierced by strategically placed ventilation holes.
|author=Consumer Product Safety Commission
|url=http://www.cpsc.gov/businfo/frnotices/fr98/10mr98r.pdf
|title=Safety Standard for Bicycle Helmets
|website=Final Rule 16 CFR Part 1203
|access-date=29 October 2016
|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060924232157/http://www.cpsc.gov/businfo/frnotices/fr98/10mr98r.pdf
|archive-date=24 September 2006
|url-status=dead}}</ref>


== History ==
The key component of most modern bicycle helmets is a layer of ] (E.P.S.), essentially the plastic foam material used to make inexpensive picnic coolers. This material is sacrificed in an accident, being crushed as it absorbs a major impact. Bicycle helmets should always be discarded after any major accident.
], 1910]]
]
] (NED), 1959]]
], 1960]]


=== History of designs ===
== Controversy ==
{{More citations needed section|date=March 2012}}
] wearing a "hairnet" helmet]]


A cycle helmet should generally be light in weight and provide ample ventilation because cycling can be an intense ] activity which significantly raises body temperature, and the head in particular needs to be able to regulate its temperature. The dominant form of the helmet up to the 1970s was the "hairnet" style, an open construction made of rubber bars covered in leather.<ref>{{cite book |title=] |date=1966 |publisher=] |location=London |page=6}}</ref> This offered acceptable protection from scrapes and cuts, but only minimal impact protection, and was mainly used by ].
There is a long-running argument over the use, promotion and compulsion of cycle helmets. The main source of controversy stems from the substantial disparity between claimed injury savings in small-scale prospective studies (Thompson, Rivara and Thompson, 1989), and real-world experience, particularly from ]s which have used compulsion to substantially raise helmet use over a very short period. Helmet use in ], for example, rose from 43% to over 95% in under three years, with no measurable change in head injury rates (Scuffham, 1997).


More widespread use of helmets began in the US in the 1970s. After many decades when bicycles were regarded largely as children's toys, many American adults took up cycling during and after the ] of the 1970s. Two of the first modern bicycle helmets were made by ], a manufacturer of ] equipment, and ], a manufacturer of helmets for auto racing and motorcycles. These helmets were a spin-off from the development of expanded ] foam liners for motorcycling and motorsport helmets and had hard ] plastic shells. The bicycle helmet arm of Bell was split off in 1991 as ], having completely overtaken the motorcycle and motorsports helmet business.
Although the head injury rate in the US rose by 40% as helmet use rose from 18% to 50%, this does not necessarily mean that helmets themselves increase ]. In fact, a range of theories exist to explain the observed disparity, including:


The first commercially successful purpose-designed bicycle helmet was the Bell Biker, a polystyrene-lined hard shell released in 1975.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://americanhistory.si.edu/onthemove/collection/object_176.html |title=America on the move-Bicycle helmet |publisher=National Museum of American History |access-date=18 March 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Bicycle: the history |last= Herlihy |first=David V. |year=2004 |publisher=Yale University Press |location=New Haven |isbn=978-0-300-12047-9 |page= |url=https://archive.org/details/bicyclehistory0000herl |url-access=registration |quote=bell biker. }}</ref> At the time there was no appropriate standard; the only applicable one, from Snell, would be passed only by a light open-face motorcycle helmet. Over time the design was refined and by 1983 Bell were making the V1-Pro, the first polystyrene helmet intended for racing use. In 1984 Bell produced the Lil Bell Shell, a no-shell children's helmet. These early helmets had little ventilation.
* ]: helmeted cyclists may ride less carefully; this is well supported by evidence for other road safety interventions such as ]s and ].
* Poor fitting: 96% of helmets not fitted correctly and incorrectly fitted helmets reportedly increase risk by a factor of 3.
* Sampling ] in prospective studies: voluntary wearers may be more risk averse, skewing the results.


In 1985, Snell B85 was introduced, the first widely adopted standard for bicycle helmets; this has subsequently been refined into B90 and B95 (see Standards below). At this time helmets were almost all either hard-shell or no-shell (perhaps with a vacuum-formed plastic cover). Ventilation was still minimal due mainly to technical limitations of the foams and shells in use.
No research has yet been published which identifies the reasons for the disparity between prospective studies and whole population data, so the above remains in the realms of speculation. The disparity itself is solid fact based on robust data collected and published by ]s.
] Atmos helmet, showing seamless in-mould micro shell construction]]


Around 1990 a new construction technique was invented: in-mould micro shell. A very thin shell was incorporated during the moulding process. This rapidly became the dominant technology, allowing for larger vents and more complex shapes than hard shells.
Recent research on ] injury adds further confusion, suggesting that the major causes of permanent intellectual disablement and ] may well be ] forces leading to diffuse ] injury, a form of injury which helmets cannot mitigate.


Use of hard shells declined rapidly among the general cyclist population during the 1990s, almost disappearing from road and ] mountain bike helmets by the end of the decade, but remaining popular with ] and more aggressive mountain bike disciplines such as ].
There is good evidence to suggest that helmets prevent many, probably most, minor injuries. Solid evidence for their preventing any serious or fatal injuries is much harder to come by; therefore it may be unwise to assume that a cycle helmet will protect you from anything more than cuts and ]s.


The late 1990s and early 2000s saw advances in retention and fitting systems, with cradles which adjust precisely to the rider's head, replacing the old system of varying thickness pads. This resulted in the back of the head being less covered by the helmet, although more recent designs have largely addressed this.
== History ==

Since more advanced helmets began being used in the ], ] inserts are often used to increase strength and protection of the helmet. The ] Atmos and Ionos, as well as the ] Alchera, were among the first to use carbon fiber, MET Helmets furthered the use of carbon fibre by in-moulding a complete cage during manufacturing.

Some modern road and track racing bicycle helmets have a long tapering back end for ]. This type of helmet is mainly dedicated to ] racing and ] as they lack significant ventilation, making them uncomfortable for long races.

=== History of standards ===
{{More citations needed section|date=March 2012}}
In the ] the ], an organisation initially established to create standards for motorcycle and auto racing helmets, implemented one of the first standards, since updated. Snell's standard includes testing of random samples.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.smf.org/standards/b/b95std.html|title=Snell 1995 Bicycle Helmet Standard. 1998 revision and amendments}}</ref> In 1990 the ] (UK) market survey showed that around 90&thinsp;% of helmets on sale were Snell B90 certified. By their 1998 survey, the number of Snell certified helmets was around zero.{{Citation needed|date=March 2012}} There are two main types of helmet: hard shell and soft/micro shell (no-shell helmets are now rare). Hard shells declined rapidly among the general cyclist population over this period, almost disappearing by the end of the decade, but remained more popular with ] riders as well as inline skaters and skateboarders.

The ] (ANSI) created a standard called ANSI Z80.4 in 1984. Later, the United States ] (CPSC) created its own mandatory standard for all bicycle helmets sold in the ], which took effect in March 1999.<ref name=CPSC />

In the ] (EU) the currently applicable standards are ]:1997 and ]:1997.<ref name=dft2002/>

An additional and voluntary standard was created by Swedish medical professionals. ]-compliant helmets are intended to reduce rotational violence to the brain caused by angled impacts.

In ] and ], the current legally required standard is AS/NZS 2063.<ref>{{cite book|title=Trade Practices (Consumer Product Safety Standard) (Bicycle Helmets) Regulations 2001 Statutory Rules 2001 No. 279 as amended – F2009C01271|year=2009|publisher=Australian Government|url=http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2009C01271}}</ref> A 2004 report concluded that the performance requirements of the 1996 version of this standard was slightly less strict than the Snell B95 standard but incorporated a quality assurance requirement, making it arguably safer.<ref>{{cite book|title=CR 220: Assessing the level of safety provided by the Snell B95 standard for bicycle helmets|year=2004|publisher=Australian Government Department of Infrastructure and Transport|isbn=0-642-25522-9|url=http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/safety/publications/2004/Bic_Crash_6.aspx|author=Gibson T|author2=Cheung A|access-date=23 May 2010|archive-date=5 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101205143552/http://infrastructure.gov.au/roads/safety/publications/2004/Bic_Crash_6.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Design intentions and standards ===

The standards are intended to reduce ] to (and within) the head due to impact, as a stiff liner made of expanded polystyrene is crushed against the head.<ref>{{cite journal |first=Brian |last=Walker |title=Heads Up |journal=Cycle Magazine |date=June–July 2005 |pages=42–5 |quote=Cycle helmets protect the head by reducing the rate at which the skull and brain would be accelerated or decelerated by an impact. |url=http://www.cyclehelmets.org/papers/c2023.pdf}}</ref><ref name=Sundahl1998>{{cite web|first=Jim G |last=Sundahl |date=19 January 1998 |title=Letter to the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission |url=http://www.cpsc.gov/LIBRARY/FOIA/FOIA98/PUBCOM/34C7A89B.PDF |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920144257/http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/foia98/pubcom/34c7a89b.pdf |archive-date=20 September 2008 }}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=April 2013}} However, both the CPSC and the ] standards only look at linear accelerations and ignore ]s.<ref name="AIM">{{cite journal|last1=Hansen|first1=Kirk|last2=Dau|first2=Nathan|last3=Feist|first3=Florian|last4=Deck|first4=Caroline|last5=Willinger|first5=Rémy|last6=Madey|first6=Steven M.|last7=Bottlang|first7=Michael|title=Angular Impact Mitigation system for bicycle helmets to reduce head acceleration and risk of traumatic brain injury|journal=Accident Analysis & Prevention|date=October 2013|volume=59|pages=109–117|doi=10.1016/j.aap.2013.05.019|pmid=23770518|issn=0001-4575|pmc=3769450}}</ref><ref name="PP">{{cite news|last1=Frank|first1=Michael|last2=Phillips|first2=Matt|title=Precious Protection|url=https://www.bicycling.com/training-nutrition/injury-prevention/precious-protection/page/0/1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150324070057/https://www.bicycling.com/training-nutrition/injury-prevention/precious-protection/page/0/1|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 March 2015|access-date=16 April 2015}}</ref> The rotational accelerations that arise in bicycle accidents can be large enough to cause ]s, ] and ].<ref name="AIM"/> A few new helmets are designed to reduce rotational accelerations in accidents.<ref name="PP"/>

It is important that a helmet fit the cyclist properly – in one study of children and adolescents aged 4 to 18 years, 96&thinsp;%<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Parkinson GW, Hike KE |title=Bicycle helmet assessment during well visits reveals severe shortcomings in condition and fit |journal=Pediatrics |volume=112 |issue=2 |pages=320–3 |date=August 2003 |pmid=12897281 |doi= 10.1542/peds.112.2.320}}</ref> were found to be incorrectly fitted. Efficacy of incorrectly fitted helmets is reckoned to be much lower; one estimate states that risk is increased almost twofold.<ref>{{cite journal | doi = 10.1136/ip.5.3.194 | title = Fit of bicycle safety helmets and risk of head injuries in children | year = 1999 | last1 = Rivara | first1 = F. P | last2 = Astley | first2 = S. J | last3 = Clarren | first3 = S. K | last4 = Thompson | first4 = D. C. | last5 = Thompson | first5 = R. S | journal = Injury Prevention | volume = 5 | issue = 3 | pages = 194–97 | pmid = 10518266 | pmc = 1730523}}</ref>

==History of use==

Helmets use varies greatly between populations and between groups. Downhill mountain bikers and amateur sportive cyclists normally wear helmets,<ref>FUBICY, Fédération francaise des Usagers de la Bicyclette. Our helmet main page, English version. </ref> and helmet use is enforced in professional cycle sport and in a few legal jurisdictions. ] and children are much less likely to wear helmets unless compelled.

===Required helmet use in cycling sport===
] in 1979]]
Historically, road cycling regulations set by the sport's ruling body, ] (UCI), did not require helmet use, leaving the matter to individual preferences and local traffic laws. The majority of professional cyclists chose not to wear helmets, citing discomfort and claiming that helmet weight would put them in a disadvantage during uphill sections of the race.

The first serious attempt by the UCI to introduce compulsory helmet use was 1991 ] race, which resulted in a riders' strike, and UCI abandoned the idea.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://oldsite.uci.ch/english/news/news_2002/20030312_comm.htm |title=Death of cyclist Andrei Kivilev: declaration by the International Cycling Union |access-date=8 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304062947/http://oldsite.uci.ch/english/news/news_2002/20030312_comm.htm |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

While voluntary helmet use in professional ranks rose somewhat in the 1990s, the turning point in helmet policy was the March 2003 death of ] at the ]. The new rules were introduced on 5 May 2003,<ref>{{cite press release | url=http://oldsite.uci.ch/english/news/news_2002/20030502i_comm.htm | title=Mandatory wear of helmets for the elite category | date=2 May 2003 | publisher=] | access-date=1 May 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304110024/http://oldsite.uci.ch/english/news/news_2002/20030502i_comm.htm | archive-date=4 March 2016 | url-status=dead}}</ref> with the ] being the first major race affected. The 2003 rules allowed for discarding the helmets during final climbs of at least 5 kilometres in length;<ref>{{cite web | title=Article 1.3.031 | url=http://oldsite.uci.ch/english/news/news_2002/20030502i.pdf | publisher=] | date=2 May 2003 | access-date=1 May 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160626040701/http://oldsite.uci.ch/english/news/news_2002/20030502i.pdf | archive-date=26 June 2016 | url-status=dead}}</ref> subsequent revisions made helmet use mandatory at all times.

] in bicycle helmet to signal when a crash has occurred]]
[[File:Bicycle Helmet Protection Technologies.png|thumb|Types of modern bicycle helmet design technologies. Energy absorbing Bontrager Wavecell (left) and Smith Koroyd (center);
]]]

===Injury reduction===

There is consistent scientific evidence that bicycle helmets reduce the severity of head injuries, particularly serious injuries, in accidents, although they are less useful when a ] is involved.<ref name=hoye>{{cite journal |vauthors=Høye A |title=Bicycle helmets - To wear or not to wear? A meta-analyses of the effects of bicycle helmets on injuries |journal=Accid Anal Prev |volume=117 |issue= |pages=85–97 |date=August 2018 |pmid=29677686 |doi=10.1016/j.aap.2018.03.026 |url=}}</ref>

===Health benefits of cycling===

Studies from China, Denmark, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom show that regular cyclists live longer because the health effects far outweigh the risk of crashes.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.yescycling.com/health-benefits-of-cycling-to-work/|title=10 Proven Health Benefits of Cycling to Work – Yes Cycling|date=18 June 2017|work=Yes Cycling|access-date=25 February 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name="Andersen et al 2000">{{cite journal |doi=10.1001/archinte.160.11.1621 |title=All-Cause Mortality Associated with Physical Activity During Leisure Time, Work, Sports, and Cycling to Work |year=2000 |last1=Andersen |first1=Lars Bo |journal=Archives of Internal Medicine |volume=160 |issue=11 |pages=1621–28 |pmid=10847255 |last2=Schnohr |first2=Peter |last3=Schroll |first3=Marianne |last4=Hein |first4=Hans Ole|doi-access= }}</ref><ref name="de Hartog et al 2010">{{cite journal |doi=10.1289/ehp.0901747 |title=Do the Health Benefits of Cycling Outweigh the Risks? |year=2010 |last1=ee Hartog |first1=Jeroen Johan |last2=Boogaard |first2=Hanna |last3=Nijland |first3=Hans |last4=Hoek |first4=Gerard |journal=Environmental Health Perspectives |volume=118 |issue=8 |pages=1109–16 |pmid=20587380 |pmc=2920084}}</ref><ref name="Matthews et al 2007">{{cite journal |doi=10.1093/aje/kwm088 |title=Influence of Exercise, Walking, Cycling, and Overall Nonexercise Physical Activity on Mortality in Chinese Women |year=2007 |last1=Matthews |first1=Charles E. |last2=Jurj |first2=Adriana L. |last3=Shu |first3=Xiao-ou |last4=Li |first4=Hong-Lan |last5=Yang |first5=Gong |last6=Li |first6=Qi |last7=Gao |first7=Yu-Tang |last8=Zheng |first8=Wei |journal=American Journal of Epidemiology |volume=165 |issue=12 |pages=1343–50 |pmid=17478434|doi-access=free }}</ref><ref name="Hillman 1992">{{cite book |title=Cycling: Towards health and safety |publisher=British Medical Association |year=1992 |first=Mayer |last=Hillman |isbn=978-0-19-286151-1}}{{Page needed|date=May 2013}}</ref> A reduction in the number of cyclists is likely to harm the health of the population more than any possible protection from injury.<ref name="Robinson 1996">{{cite journal |doi=10.1016/0001-4575(96)00016-4 |title=Head injuries and bicycle helmet laws |year=1996 |last1=Robinson |first1=D.L. |journal=Accident Analysis & Prevention |volume=28 |issue=4 |pages=463–75 |pmid=8870773}}</ref><ref name="Robinson 2006">{{cite journal |doi=10.1136/bmj.332.7543.722-a |title=No clear evidence from countries that have enforced the wearing of helmets |year=2006 |last1=Robinson |first1=D.L. |journal=BMJ |volume=332 |issue=7543 |pages=722–25 |pmid=16565131 |pmc=1410838}}</ref> UK figures show that it takes at least 8,000 years of average cycling to produce one clinically severe head injury and 22,000 years for one death.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1136/bmj.321.7276.1582 |title=Three lessons for a better cycling future |year=2000 |last1=Wardlaw |first1=Malcolm J. |journal=BMJ |volume=321 |issue=7276 |pages=1582–85 |pmid=11124188 |pmc=1119262}}</ref> De Jong developed a mathematical model to evaluate the health-risk trade-offs of all-age mandatory helmet laws, if they were to be introduced in various North American and Western European countries. He concluded that helmet laws appear to offer net health benefit only in those countries with more dangerous bicycling environments under optimistic assumptions of the efficacy of helmets.<ref name="deJong2012" /> Newbold suggested improvements to the De Jong model, and, using published cycling statistics for the United States in his revised model, found that mandatory bicycle helmet laws would seem to have positive net public health benefits there. However, Newbold stressed that there were many parameters to these models which require further research to properly quantitate, and that results should be considered provisional rather than definitive.<ref name=Newbold2012>{{cite journal |doi=10.1111/j.1539-6924.2012.01770.x |title=Examining the Health-Risk Tradeoffs of Mandatory Bicycle Helmet Laws |year=2012 |last1=Newbold |first1=Stephen C. |journal=Risk Analysis |volume=32 |issue=5 |pages=791–98; discussion 799–800 |pmid=22324749|s2cid=13031129 }}</ref>

Some researchers have suggested that a legal requirement to wear helmets there may have dissuaded people from cycling, and that repeal of these laws could lead to increased cycling.<ref name="Robinson 1996"/><ref name="Robinson 2006" /><ref name=deJong2012>{{cite journal |doi=10.1111/j.1539-6924.2011.01785.x |title=The Health Impact of Mandatory Bicycle Helmet Laws |year=2012 |last1=De Jong |first1=Piet |journal=Risk Analysis |volume=32 |issue=5 |pages=782–90 |pmid=22462680|s2cid=7116890 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |first1=Chris |last1=Rissel |first2=Li Ming |last2=Wen |pmid=22497060 |doi=10.1071/HE11178 |url=http://www.publish.csiro.au/?paper=HE11178 |year=2011 |title=The possible effect on frequency of cycling if mandatory bicycle helmet legislation was repealed in Sydney, Australia: A cross sectional survey |volume=22 |issue=3 |pages=178–83 |journal=Health Promotion Journal of Australia}}</ref> This suggestion has been criticised.<ref name = "Hagel and Pless">{{cite journal |doi=10.1136/bmj.332.7543.725 |title=Arguments against helmet legislation are flawed |year=2006 |last1=Hagel |first1=B. |journal=BMJ |volume=332 |issue=7543 |pages=725–26 |pmid=16565133 |last2=MacPherson |first2=A |last3=Rivara |first3=FP |last4=Pless |first4=B |pmc=1410864}}</ref>{{refn|group=Q|name=HagelPlessBMJ2006QuoteB|Hagel ''et al''. 2006:<ref name="Hagel and Pless" /> "Confounding variables may also influence both the exposure and outcome variables in the context of a time series or ecological study. For example, a fall in the number of bicyclists in the 1990s may simply reflect an increase in in-line skating or other recreational activities... Without evidence that those who allegedly stopped cycling rode enough to confer a heart health benefit or that they did not take up another healthy activity in its place, Robinson cannot conclude that decreases in cycling are harmful to health and her argument crumbles."}} Fewer cyclists might lead to increased risks per cyclist due to the "]" effect.<ref name="injuryprevention.bmj.com">{{cite journal |doi=10.1136/ip.9.3.205 |title=Safety in numbers: More walkers and bicyclists, safer walking and bicycling |year=2003 |last1=Jacobsen |first1=P L |journal=Injury Prevention |volume=9 |issue=3 |pages=205–09 |pmid=12966006 |pmc=1731007}}</ref> This means that if the number of cyclists on the road doubles, then the average individual cyclist can ride for an additional 50 percent of the time without increasing the probability of being struck. It is thought that the increased frequency of motorist-cyclist interaction creates more aware motorists.

===Risk compensation===

It has been hypothesised that the wearing of helmets may make cyclists feel safer and thus take more risks. This hypothetical effect is known as ] or risk homeostasis. Some authors have suggested that risk compensation occurs with other road safety interventions such as ]s and ]s,<ref name=Risk>{{cite book |title=Risk |first1=John |last1=Adams |year=1995 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-85728-068-5}}{{page needed|date=May 2013}}</ref><ref name="DOTS">{{cite book |title=Death on the Streets: Cars and the mythology of road safety |publisher=Davis |year=1993 |isbn=978-0-948135-46-0}}{{page needed|date=May 2013}}</ref> but these views are disputed by other road safety experts.<ref name="O'Neill-Williams-InjPrev1998">{{cite journal |doi=10.1136/ip.4.2.92 |title=Risk homeostasis hypothesis: A rebuttal |year=1998 |last1=O'Neill |first1=B. |last2=Williams |first2=A. |journal=Injury Prevention |volume=4 |issue=2 |pages=92–93 |pmid=9666359 |pmc=1730350}}</ref>

A Spanish study of traffic accidents between 1990 and 1999 found that helmeted cyclists involved in accidents were less likely to have committed a traffic law violation than unhelmeted cyclists, and that helmeted cyclists were no more likely to have committed a speeding violation in association with the accident than unhelmeted cyclists. The authors concluded that "although the findings do not support the existence of a strong risk compensation mechanism among helmeted cyclists, this possibility cannot be ruled out."<ref name="Lardelli-Claret-et-al2003">{{cite journal |doi=10.1136/ip.9.2.128 |title=Risk compensation theory and voluntary helmet use by cyclists in Spain |year=2003 |last1=Lardelli-Claret |first1=P |journal=Injury Prevention |volume=9 |issue=2 |pages=128–32 |pmid=12810738 |last2=De Dios Luna-Del-Castillo |first2=J |last3=Jiménez-Moleón |first3=JJ |last4=García-Martín |first4=M |last5=Bueno-Cavanillas |first5=A |last6=Gálvez-Vargas |first6=R |pmc=1730952}}</ref>

In one experimental study, adults accustomed to wearing helmets cycled more slowly without a helmet, but no difference in helmeted and unhelmeted cycling speed was found for cyclists who do not usually wear helmets.<ref name="Fyhri2011">{{cite journal |doi=10.1111/j.1539-6924.2011.01589.x |title=Risk Compensation and Bicycle Helmets |year=2011 |last1=Phillips |first1=Ross Owen |last2=Fyhri |first2=Aslak |last3=Sagberg |first3=Fridulv |journal=Risk Analysis |volume=31 |issue=8 |pages=1187–95 |pmid=21418079|s2cid=25935602 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Helmets Make You Bicycle Faster |first1=Marcel |last1=Goverde |url=http://www.improbable.com/2009/12/18/helmets-make-you-bicycle-faster/ |journal=Annals of Improbable Research |date=September–October 2009 |volume=15 |issue=5 |pages=6–9}}</ref> An experimental study found that children negotiating an obstacle course on foot went faster and took more risks when wearing safety gear (including helmets).<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1016/j.aap.2006.10.006 |title=Understanding children's injury-risk behavior: Wearing safety gear can lead to increased risk taking |year=2007 |last1=Morrongiello |first1=Barbara A. |last2=Walpole |first2=Beverly |last3=Lasenby |first3=Jennifer |journal=Accident Analysis & Prevention |volume=39 |issue=3 |pages=618–23 |pmid=17112456}}</ref> A telephone interview study found that in hypothetical scenarios of their children wearing protective equipment or not, parents' ratings of permissible risk for their children was higher if protective gear was hypothetically worn.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1136/ip.8.1.27 |title=Influence of safety gear on parental perceptions of injury risk and tolerance for children's risk taking |year=2002 |last1=Morrongiello |first1=B.A. |journal=Injury Prevention |volume=8 |pages=27–31 |pmid=11928969 |last2=Major |first2=K. |issue=1 |pmc=1730819}}</ref>

Motorists may also alter their behaviour toward helmeted cyclists. One study by Walker in England found that 2500 vehicles passed a helmeted cyclist with measurably less clearance (8.5&nbsp;cm less) than that given to the same cyclist unhelmeted (out of an average total passing distance of 1.2 to 1.3 metres).<ref name="Walker2007">{{cite journal |doi=10.1016/j.aap.2006.08.010 |title=Drivers overtaking bicyclists: Objective data on the effects of riding position, helmet use, vehicle type and apparent gender |year=2007 |last1=Walker |first1=Ian |journal=Accident Analysis & Prevention |volume=39 |issue=2 |pages=417–25 |pmid=17064655}}</ref> An initial re-analysis of these data by other investigators agreed that with the 8.5&nbsp;cm finding, but argued that there were not more "close passes" (which they defined as under 1 metre of clearance).<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Olivier|first1=Jake|last2=Walter|first2=Scott R.|date=25 September 2013|title=Bicycle Helmet Wearing Is Not Associated with Close Motor Vehicle Passing: A Re-Analysis of Walker, 2007|journal=PLOS ONE|language=en|volume=8|issue=9|pages=e75424|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0075424|pmid=24086528|pmc=3783373|bibcode=2013PLoSO...875424O|issn=1932-6203|doi-access=free}}</ref> In 2018, Walker published a rebuttal, arguing that there were more passes under 1.5m (the legal minimum distance in Spain and Germany) or 2m, and there was not enough evidence to say there weren't more passes at under 1m.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Walker |first1=Ian |last2=Robinson |first2=Dorothy L. |date=February 2019 |title=Bicycle helmet wearing is associated with closer overtaking by drivers: A response to Olivier and Walter, 2013 |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0001457518309928 |journal=Accident Analysis & Prevention |language=en |volume=123 |pages=107–113 |doi=10.1016/j.aap.2018.11.015|pmid=30472528 |s2cid=53780178 }}</ref>

In 1988, Rodgers re-analysed data which supposedly showed helmets to be effective; he found data errors and methodological weaknesses, and concluded that in fact the data showed "bicycle-related fatalities are positively and significantly associated with increased helmet use". He mentioned risk compensation as one possible explanation of this association.<ref name="Rodgers">{{cite journal |author=Rodgers G.B. |year=1988 |title=Reducing Bicycle Accidents: A Re-evaluation of the Impacts of the CPSC Bicycle Standard and Helmet Use |journal=Journal of Products Liability |volume=11 |pages=307–17}}</ref>

=== Counterfeits ===
With ] of inferior quality and durability increasingly appearing for sale online, many direct from China, consumers are warned to be suspicious of prices that seem too good to be true, and to purchase helmets from reputable local or online sellers.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2018/09/16/647377213/fake-bike-helmets-cheap-but-dangerous|title=Fake Bike Helmets: Cheap But Dangerous|last=Tyler|first=Jeff|publisher=NPR|access-date=16 September 2018|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bikebiz.com/features/fake-helmets|title=Fake sense of security|last=Reid|first=Carlton|date=28 May 2018|work=BikeBiz|access-date=16 September 2018|language=en-us|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917034144/https://www.bikebiz.com/features/fake-helmets|archive-date=17 September 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> The main target markets seem to be the US and Europe, with 90 percent of US counterfeit seizures coming from Hong Kong and China.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/a20045553/to-catch-a-counterfeiter-the-sketchy-world-of-fake-bike-gear/|title=To Catch a Bike Counterfeiter|last=Lindsey|first=Joe|date=15 September 2015|work=Bicycling|access-date=16 September 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>

===Accidents from wearing at inappropriate times===


The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has warned that children should not wear bike helmets while using playground equipment, or any time when they are not biking, because of the risk of strangulation by the helmet strap should the helmet or strap be caught in playground equipment, a tree being climbed, and so on.<ref>U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. accessed 21 May 2014</ref> European Standard EN 1080, which uses a weak retention system designed to open under load, was published in 1997 to address this problem.<ref name=dft2002>{{cite web
Prior to the mid-], the dominant form of helmet was the leather "hairnet" style. This offered minimal protection. Two of the first modern bicycle helmets were made by MSR, a manufacturer of ] equipment, and Bell, a manufacturer of helmets for auto racing and motorcycles. These helmets had EPS foam liners and, additionally, had hard ] plastic shells.
|url=http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/research/rsrr/theme1/bicyclehelmetsreviewofeffect4726?page=6#a1015 |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100202152201/http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/research/rsrr/theme1/bicyclehelmetsreviewofeffect4726?page=6
|title=Bicycle Helmets: Review of Effectiveness
|author1=E. Towner
|author2=T. Dowswell
|author3=M. Burkes
|author4=H. Dickinson
|author5=J. Towner
|author6=M. Hayes
|publisher=UK Department for Transport
|date=November 2002
|url-status=dead
|archive-date= 2 February 2010 |access-date=10 December 2018 }}</ref>
Such helmets are not intended for use anywhere motor vehicles are present.<ref>EN 1080/A2 Impact protection helmets for young children,
European Committee for Standardization, 2005 (first published 1997)
</ref> To avoid serious accidents, parents and carers should take care to ensure that children do not wear bicycle helmets during unsupervised play, or when using climbing equipment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.productsafety.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/982119 |title=Bicycle helmet injuries |access-date=17 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305020452/http://www.productsafety.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/982119 |archive-date=5 March 2011}} Use bicycle helmets for cycling only. Product Safety Australia. Retrieved 14 September 2010.</ref>


==Debate over compulsion or strong promotion==
It was soon decided that a hard shell added minimally to the safety of a helmet. For a time many helmets simply covered the foam with a stretch nylon cover. Most current helmets have an outer shell of vacuum formed plastic; this protects the helmet from minor scrapes and probably prevents the helmet from 'digging-in' in a sliding impact.


== Standards == ===Supporters===
The ] of the United Kingdom lists wearing a helmet as one of its "cycling safety tips" for beginners,<ref name="nhs-tips">{{cite web
|url=http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/getting-started-guides/Pages/getting-started-cycling.aspx
|publisher=]
|title=Cycling for beginners
|date=30 June 2012
|access-date=29 October 2016}}</ref> and it states "wearing a cycling helmet can help prevent a head injury if you fall from your bike".<ref name="nhs-benefits">{{cite web
|url=http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/fitness/Pages/Cycling.aspx
|publisher=]
|title=Benefits of cycling
|date=1 March 2012
|access-date=29 October 2016}}</ref> The ] has stated that "helmet use is an effective public health intervention".<ref name="ama-brief">{{cite web
|publisher=]
|title=Medical Student Section Issue Brief: Bicycle Helmet Usage
|url=http://health.oregonstate.edu/sites/default/files/t14f_policy_brief-bicycle-helmets.pdf
|access-date=29 October 2016}}</ref>


A number of ] organisations support helmet use or legislation. The ] "has encouraged the wearing of helmets via its publications and its education program for many years. Since 1991 the League has required participants in League-sponsored events to wear helmets."<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120030558/http://www.bikeleague.org/about/positions/helmetuse.php |date=20 January 2012 }} Retrieved 8 February 2012</ref> Bicycle Network, Australia's largest bike riding organisation,<ref>{{cite web|title=Bicycle Network Membership |url=https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/general/join-in/114/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202233237/https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/general/join-in/114/ |archive-date=2 December 2013}}</ref> previously supported the helmet legislation,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://blogs.crikey.com.au/theurbanist/2012/10/12/whats-the-case-for-keeping-the-helmet-law/ |title=What's the case for keeping the helmet law? |access-date=29 October 2016 |archive-date=30 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030001731/https://blogs.crikey.com.au/theurbanist/2012/10/12/whats-the-case-for-keeping-the-helmet-law/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> but is no longer supporting a mandate.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-08-31 |title=Helmet policy review |url=https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/our-campaigns/policy/helmet-review/ |access-date=2022-12-04 |website=Bicycle Network |language=en-US}}</ref> Bicycle Queensland supports helmet laws, noting that "ample research shows the safety benefits of wearing helmets surpasses the no-helmet personal-freedom argument".<ref>{{cite web|title=Parliamentary Committee on Cycling Issues Report is out |url=http://www.bq.org.au/news/parliamentary-committee-on-cycling-issues-report-is-out/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114213108/http://www.bq.org.au/news/parliamentary-committee-on-cycling-issues-report-is-out/ |archive-date=14 January 2014}}</ref>
In America the ], an organization initially established to create standards for motorcycle and auto-racing helmets, implemented one of the first standards. The American National Standards Institute (]) created a standard called ANSI Z80.4 in ]. Later, the United States ] (CPSC) created its own mandatory standard for all bicycle helmets sold in the ], which took effect in March ].


Numerous health medical groups support helmet laws. These include the ],<ref>{{cite web|last=WHO |url=https://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2006/pr44/en/ |title=Helmet use saves lives |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131124104430/http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2006/pr44/en/ |archive-date=24 November 2013 |access-date=29 October 2016}}</ref> the ],<ref>{{cite web
In the ] the currently applicable standard is BS 6863:1989. This is in the process of being replaced by the ] BS EN 1078:1997 standard.
|title=BMA votes for cycle helmet compulsion (with debate transcript)
|date=30 June 2005
|publisher=BikeBiz
|url=http://www.bikebiz.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=19740
|access-date=24 August 2007
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928042604/http://www.bikebiz.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=19740 |archive-date = 28 September 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|title = Legislation for the compulsory wearing of cycle helmets
|date = November 2004
|publisher = BMA
|url = http://www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf/Content/cyclehelmetslegis
|access-date = 24 August 2007
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070926234514/http://www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf/Content/cyclehelmetslegis
|archive-date = 26 September 2007
|url-status = dead}}</ref> the ],<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150320143132/http://www.ama-assn.org/ad-com/polfind/Hlth-Ethics.pdf |date=20 March 2015 }} Retrieved 8 February 2012]</ref> the ],<ref>The American College of Emergency Physicians {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110702120029/http://www.acep.org/MobileArticle.aspx?id=29830&coll_id=42&parentid=748 |date=2 July 2011 }}. Retrieved 8 February 2012.</ref> the Canadian Paediatric Society,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cps.ca/documents/position/bike-helmets-to-reduce-risk-of-head-injury |title=Bicycle helmet use in Canada: The need for legislation to reduce the risk of head injury |access-date=29 October 2016}}</ref> the Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine,<ref>{{cite journal |title=Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine Position Statement: Mandatory Use of Bicycle Helmets |journal=Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine |date=November 2013 |volume=23 |issue=6 |pages=417–418 |doi=10.1097/JSM.0000000000000025 |last1=Goudie |first1=Richard |last2=Page |first2=Jessica L. |pmid=24169297 |s2cid=44368657 |doi-access=free }}</ref> and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.<ref>{{cite web|title=Position Paper |url=http://www.surgeons.org/media/297093/2013-07-31_pos_fes-fel-046_road_trauma_prevention.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211101935/http://www.surgeons.org/media/297093/2013-07-31_pos_fes-fel-046_road_trauma_prevention.pdf |archive-date=11 December 2013}}</ref>


The ],<ref> Retrieved 1202-02-08</ref> the ]<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120130083639/http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics%3B108/4/1030 |date=30 January 2012 }} Retrieved 1202-02-08</ref> and the (British) Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents<ref>{{cite web|publisher=RoSPA |url=http://www.rospa.com/faqs/detail.aspx?faq=364 |title=FAQs |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131124104331/http://www.rospa.com/faqs/detail.aspx?faq=364 |archive-date=24 November 2013 |access-date=29 October 2016}}</ref> recommend wearing helmets. Safety groups ]<ref> Retrieved 8 February 2012</ref> and the ]<ref> Retrieved 8 February 2012</ref> urge helmet wearing. SWOV (the Dutch Institute for Road Safety Research) recommends helmet use.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=SWOV |url=http://www.swov.nl/uk/Actueel/nieuwsbrief/artikelen/2012/201209_helmets.pdf |title=Bicycle helmets: yes or no? |access-date=29 October 2016}}</ref> Temple University's ] program classifies bicycle helmets laws as an "effective" public health intervention, based on a review of scholarly research.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bicycle Helmet Laws, Public Health Law Research 2009 |url=http://publichealthlawresearch.org/public-health-topics/injury-prevention-evidence-briefs/bicycle-helmets/evidence-brief/bicycle-helmet |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307023521/http://publichealthlawresearch.org/public-health-topics/injury-prevention-evidence-briefs/bicycle-helmets/evidence-brief/bicycle-helmet |archivedate=7 March 2012}}</ref> The British ] supports and promotes helmet use.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ncb.org.uk/media/26949/activetransitions2011.pdf |title=Active Transitions |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309222115/http://ncb.org.uk/media/26949/activetransitions2011.pdf |archive-date=9 March 2016 |access-date=29 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ncb.org.uk/media/434674/summary_4-_unintentional_injuries.pdf |title=Childhood unintentional injuries |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310010725/http://ncb.org.uk/media/434674/summary_4-_unintentional_injuries.pdf |archive-date=10 March 2016 |access-date=29 October 2016}}</ref>
The EN1078 standard is lower than the Snell B95 (and B90) standard; the Snell Memorial Foundation website includes a list of manufacturers whose helmets meet these higher standards.


== Proper fit == ===Opponents===
Dorothy Robinson reviewed data from jurisdictions where helmet use increased following legislation, and concluded that helmet laws did not demonstrably reduce cyclists' head injuries.<ref name="Robinson 1996" /><ref name="Robinson 2006" /> ], a transport and road safety analyst from the UK, does not support the use of helmets, reasoning that they are of very limited value in the event of a collision with a car, that risk compensation negates their protective effect and because he feels their promotion implicitly shifts responsibility of care to the cyclist.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/weekend/story/0,3605,823111,00.html|title=A Chain Reaction|work=The Guardian|date=2 November 2002}}</ref><ref name=CaseForAgainst>Hillman, M., 1993. Cycle Helmets: the case for and against, Policy Studies Institute.</ref> He also cautions against placing the recommendations of surgeons above other expert opinion in the debate, comparing it to drawing conclusions on whether it is worthwhile to buy lottery tickets by sampling only a group of prizewinners.<ref>{{cite web |author=M. Hillman |date=2 September 2002 |title="Keep your head". Letter to New Scientist |url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg16722545.800.html |page=50}}</ref> The prominent UK-based cycling activist ] is skeptical of the merits of helmets, regarding proactive measures including bike maintenance and riding skills as being more important.<ref name=JFCC>Cyclecraft: Skilled Cycling Techniques for Adults. Franklin J. Stationery Office Books; 4th Ed edition 2007. {{ISBN|978-0-11-703740-3}}</ref> Cyclists' representative groups complain that focus on helmets diverts attention from other issues which are much more important for improving bicycle safety, such as road danger reduction, training, roadcraft, and bicycle maintenance.<ref name=ecf1/><ref>{{cite web
|url = http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=4688
|title = Helmets CTC policy
|access-date = 31 August 2007
|publisher = Cyclists Touring Club
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070829033453/http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=4688
|archive-date = 29 August 2007
|url-status = dead
}}</ref>


In 1998 the ] (ECF) adopted a position paper rejecting compulsory helmet laws as being likely to have greater negative rather than positive health effects.<ref name=ecf1>{{cite web|title=IMPROVING BICYCLE SAFETY without making helmet-use compulsory (brochure)|url=http://www.fiab-onlus.it/andare/helm_gb.doc|publisher=European Cyclists' Federation, Brussels|access-date=25 April 2013|author=Ulla Baden|author2=Ernst Poulsen |author3=Tom Godefrooij |author4=Hildegard Resinger |author5=Daniel Eritja |name-list-style=amp |date=Nov 1998}}</ref> The UK's largest cyclists' organisation, ], believes that the "''overall health effects of compulsory helmets are negative.''"<ref>{{cite web
It is important that a helmet should fit the cyclist properly. First, the correct size must be purchased. Most manufacturers provide a range of sizes ranging from ]ren's to ] with additional variations from small to medium to large.
|title=CTC Policy Handbook
|date=March 2004
|publisher=CTC
|url=http://www.ctc.org.uk/sites/default/files/file_available-to-everyone-no-log-in-required/0403ctcpolicy-handbook2004.pdf
|access-date=29 May 2015
|archive-date=29 May 2015
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529132111/http://www.ctc.org.uk/sites/default/files/file_available-to-everyone-no-log-in-required/0403ctcpolicy-handbook2004.pdf
|url-status=dead
}}</ref> The Dutch '']'' (Cyclists' Union) summarised existing evidence and concluded that a compulsory helmet law (for utility cyclists) would have a negative impact on population health: "''Helmet laws save a few brains, but destroy a lot of hearts''". No policy position was provided for other types of cycling, particular mountain biking (MTB) and all forms of on- and off-road cycle sports.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fietsersbond onderzoekt: helpt de helm? (The Dutch Cyclists' Union asks: does the helmet help?)|date=27 February 2012|url=http://www.fietsersbond.nl/nieuws/fietsersbond-onderzoekt-helpt-de-helm|publisher=Dutch Fietsersbond (Cyclists' Union)|access-date=5 April 2013|archive-date=31 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130331141413/http://www.fietsersbond.nl/nieuws/fietsersbond-onderzoekt-helpt-de-helm|url-status=dead}}</ref>


Cycling Action Network (New Zealand) policy<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://can.org.nz/helmets|title = CAN and Cycle Helmet Legislation &#124; Cycling Action Network NZ}}</ref> states "There is evidence that mandatory cycle helmet wearing legislation is not working as intended and should be reviewed. Priority needs to be given to other safety issues such as motorist behaviour and roading improvements."
Helmets are held on the head with ] straps, which must be adjusted to fit the individual. The ease with which adjustments can be made can be one of the major differences between a cheap helmet and a better quality one. (It may be noted at this point that all helmets sold today must meet basic safety standards. The difference between inexpensive and expensive helmets will more likely reflect ventilation, comfort and convenience issues rather than safety.)


===Legislation and culture===
A common mistake is to fit the helmet so that it sits high on the ]. The helmet should sit level on the cyclists head with only a couple of finger-widths between eye-brow and the helmet brim.
{{See also|Bicycle helmet laws by country}}
The following countries have ], in at least one jurisdiction, for either minors only, or for all riders: Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Iceland, New Zealand, Sweden, and the United States. Spain requires helmets on interurban routes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ecf.com/files/2/12/16/071203_three_years_of_mandatory_cycle_helmet_use_in_spain-ECF.pdf |title=Three years of mandatory helmet use in Spain. Some results of an inconvenient law |date=1 June 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225144107/http://www.ecf.com/files/2/12/16/071203_three_years_of_mandatory_cycle_helmet_use_in_spain-ECF.pdf |archive-date=25 December 2010}}</ref> In the US, 21 states have statewide mandatory helmet laws for minors of varying ages, and 37 states have mandatory helmet laws for varying age groups in varying jurisdictions.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.helmets.org/mandator.htm | title=Helmet Laws for Bicycle Riders }}</ref> Nearly 9 in 10 American adults support helmet laws for children.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mottpoll.org/sites/default/files/documents/061709fullreport.pdf|title=National Poll on Children's Health. Bicycle helmet laws for kids effective but not yet the norm. A publication from C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, the University of Michigan Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, and the University of Michigan Child Health Evaluation and Research (CHEAR) Unit. Vol. 6 Issue 4 17 June 2009}}</ref> Israel's helmet law was never enforced or obeyed, and the adult element has been revoked; Mexico City has repealed its helmet law.<ref>European Cyclist's Federation. Examples of successful campaigns. {{cite web|url=http://www.ecf.com/3677_1 |title=European Cyclists Federation - We care for biking, cycle touring, and bicycle policy, cycle tourism, Bike and train, Fahrrad, Radfahrer, vélo and cycliste |access-date=8 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622073912/http://www.ecf.com/3677_1 |archive-date=22 June 2011 }} downloaded 10 May 2010</ref>


In 2004, a Bill proposing to make the wearing of bicycle helmets compulsory came before the UK Parliament, and was defeated. Horton observed: "''The 2004 Parliamentary Bill was unanimously opposed by the cycling establishment, with every major ] and magazine rejecting helmet compulsion.''"<ref>Horton D. Fear of Cycling. pp. 133–154 in Rosen P., Cox P., Horton D.(eds.) Cycling and Society. Ashgate Publishing, Aldershot, UK, 2007.</ref> A 2016 ] originally depicting a cyclist with helmet and ] was altered to remove those after ] complained that it would discourage people from taking up cycling.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/postage-stamp-changed-due-concerns-over-attire-worn-by-cyclist-in-image-34900984.html|title=Postage stamp changed due concerns over 'attire worn by cyclist in image'|last1=McQuinn|first1=Cormac|first2=Ryan |last2=Nugent|date=21 July 2016|work=]|access-date=21 July 2016}}</ref>
== Safe Cycling vs Helmet Use==


Although a causal link is not proven, it is observed that the countries with the best cycle safety records (] and the ]) have among the lowest levels of helmet use.{{Citation needed|reason=The reference given for this assertion is a page titled 'Safety in numbers' on the BHRF cyclehelmets.org website. However, that page provides no analysis of cycling safety records versus levels of helmet use in any country. Therefore a suitable authority for this assertion is required, or it will need to be removed. It would appear that very many countries have very low helmet wearing rates and very poor cycling safety records, such as most developing and transitional countries – thus any suggestion of a negative correlation between helmet wearing rates and cycling safety requires sound scientific evidence to back it up.|date=April 2013}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Safety in numbers|author=Bicycle Helmet Research Foundation (BHRF)|url=http://www.cyclehelmets.org/1186.html
It is often suggested that wearing a helmet is the first, best thing a cyclist can do to ensure their safety. However, no helmet will reduce your probability of crashing. Make sure that your bike is in good order, that you are riding skilfully and legally.
}}</ref> Their bicycle safety record is generally attributed to public awareness and understanding of cyclists, ], education, and ]. A study of cycling in major streets of Boston, Paris and Amsterdam illustrates the variation in cycling culture: Boston had far higher rates of helmet-wearing (32% of cyclists, versus 2.4% in Paris and 0.1% in Amsterdam), Amsterdam had far more cyclists (242 passing bicycles per hour, versus 74 in Paris and 55 in Boston).<ref name=OSBERG>{{cite journal
|author1=Osberg, J.S.
|author2=Stiles, C.
|title=Bicycle Use and Safety in Paris, Boston, and Amsterdam
|year=1998
|journal=Transportation Quarterly
|volume=52
|issue=4
|pages=61–76
|url=http://www.aaafoundation.org/pdf/bikeuse_PBA.pdf
|access-date=2 July 2012 |url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514080420/http://www.aaafoundation.org/pdf/bikeuse_PBA.pdf
|archive-date=14 May 2012
}}</ref> Cycle helmet wearing rates in the Netherlands and Denmark are very low.<ref name=CaseForAgainst/><ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304248704575574250616160146 |title=Getting These Cyclists to Use Helmets Is Like Tilting at Windmills. Bicycle-Loving Dutch Hate Headgear; 'We Are Not in Germany' | work=The Wall Street Journal | first=Daniel | last=Michaels | date=2 November 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Amsterdam Bicycles | year=2006 | author=Brian Wilson | url=http://www.ski-epic.com/amsterdam_bicycles/ }}</ref> An Australian journalist writes: ''"Rarities in Amsterdam seem to be stretch-fabric-clad cyclists and fat cyclists. Helmets are non-existent, and when people asked me where I was from, they would grimace and mutter: "Ah, yes, helmet laws." These had gained international notoriety on a par with our deadly sea animals. Despite the lack of helmets, ] is safer than in any other country, and the Dutch have one-third the number of cycling fatalities (per 100,000 people) that Australia has."''<ref>{{cite news | title=In the land of the Dutch Black, the cyclist is king of the road |first= Debra|last= Mayrhofer|work= The Age|date= 11 February 2008|url= http://www.theage.com.au/news/opinion/in-the-land-of-the-dutch-black-the-cyclist-is-king-of-the-road/2008/02/10/1202578597192.html|location=Melbourne}}</ref> Cycling UK say that cycling in the Netherlands and Denmark is perceived as a "normal" activity requiring no special clothing or equipment.<ref>{{cite web
|title=Cycle helmet promotion: a dangerous distraction
|publisher=Cyclists' Touring Club (CTC)
|url=http://www.ctc.org.uk/resources/Campaigns/0305CTChelmetpromotion1.doc
|access-date=24 August 2007
|format=DOC
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928053851/http://www.ctc.org.uk/resources/Campaigns/0305CTChelmetpromotion1.doc
|archive-date=28 September 2007 |url-status=dead
}}</ref> Pucher and Buehler state: "The Dutch cycling experts and planners interviewed for this paper adamantly opposed the use of helmets, claiming that helmets discourage cycling by making it less convenient, less comfortable, and less fashionable. They also mention the possibility that helmets would make cycling more dangerous by giving cyclists a false sense of safety and thus encouraging riskier riding behavior."<ref name="pucher_buehler">{{cite journal|author1=Pucher |author2=Buehler |title=Making Cycling Irresistible: Lessons from the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany |date=12 November 2007 |url=http://policy.rutgers.edu/faculty/pucher/Irresistible.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141117082916/http://www.policy.rutgers.edu/faculty/pucher/Irresistible.pdf |archive-date=17 November 2014 }}</ref>


==See also==
The current UK Minister for Road Safety, Mr David Jamieson ], has acknowledged that he knows of no evidence linking increasing helmet use with reduced severity, or risk, of head injury to the cyclist population.
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]


==Quotes==
Research (see www.officeofroadsafety.wa.gov.au/ Facts/papers/bicycle_helmet_legislation.html) by the ] Public Health Department in the late 1990s could not reveal noticeable reduction in head injuries to Western Australian cyclists between ] and ], despite the take-up of helmet use from zero to around 85%, following legislation in ]. The study compared cyclist and ] head injuries in road traffic accidents. There was only a single year (out of the entire 25 year time line) in which there was a marked advantage for cyclists, ]; the year before the law came into effect. Despite this, the authors concluded helmet use had reduced serious head injuries by 11-18%. The slight reduction detected by the study may well have been due to fewer child cyclists (some having been put off by having to wear a helmet) than more helmet use. A similar study was conducted in ] by the ] Injury Prevention Unit.
<references group=Q />


==References==
A major consequence of any helmet law is the sharp decline in cycle use. Arguably, even helmet promotion or high levels of helmet use by utility cyclists will deter non-cyclists by reinforcing the misconception that road riding is a lot more dangerous than ]ing or ], which it is not. This reduction of cycle use directly imposes increased risk on cyclists that continue to ride, due to the now well established "]" effect.
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==Further reading ==
*
===Case studies/risk===
*
* Thompson, R., Rivara, F. and Thompson, D. (]), ''A Case-Control Study of the Effectiveness of Bicycle Safety Helmets'', ], ], 320:21, 1361-67 &mdash; An early helmet study ().
*
* Scuffham ''Trends in cycle injury in New Zealand under voluntary helmet use'', Langley. Accident Analysis and Prevention, Vol 29:1, ] &mdash; Showed no benefit from large-scale increases in helmet use.
* John Adams, ], ''Risk'', Routledge, ISBN 1857280687 &mdash; Authoritative reference on risk compensation theory.
===Safe cycling===
*John Forester, ], ''Effective Cycling'', ISBN 0262560704
*John Franklin, ], ''Cyclecraft'', ISBN 0117020516


{{helmets}}
== External links ==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Bicycle Helmet}}
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Latest revision as of 19:57, 30 November 2024

Type of helmet

Three styles of bicycle helmets: standard, full-face, and multi-sport
A typical bicycle helmet

A bicycle helmet is a type of helmet designed to attenuate impacts to the head of a cyclist in collisions while minimizing side effects such as interference with peripheral vision.

History

Nat Butler, 1910
Bicycle helmet, 1940s
Martin Wierstra (NED), 1959
Bernhard Eckstein, 1960

History of designs

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Uwe Raab wearing a "hairnet" helmet

A cycle helmet should generally be light in weight and provide ample ventilation because cycling can be an intense aerobic activity which significantly raises body temperature, and the head in particular needs to be able to regulate its temperature. The dominant form of the helmet up to the 1970s was the "hairnet" style, an open construction made of rubber bars covered in leather. This offered acceptable protection from scrapes and cuts, but only minimal impact protection, and was mainly used by racing cyclists.

More widespread use of helmets began in the US in the 1970s. After many decades when bicycles were regarded largely as children's toys, many American adults took up cycling during and after the bike boom of the 1970s. Two of the first modern bicycle helmets were made by MSR, a manufacturer of mountaineering equipment, and Bell Sports, a manufacturer of helmets for auto racing and motorcycles. These helmets were a spin-off from the development of expanded polystyrene foam liners for motorcycling and motorsport helmets and had hard polycarbonate plastic shells. The bicycle helmet arm of Bell was split off in 1991 as Bell Sports Inc., having completely overtaken the motorcycle and motorsports helmet business.

The first commercially successful purpose-designed bicycle helmet was the Bell Biker, a polystyrene-lined hard shell released in 1975. At the time there was no appropriate standard; the only applicable one, from Snell, would be passed only by a light open-face motorcycle helmet. Over time the design was refined and by 1983 Bell were making the V1-Pro, the first polystyrene helmet intended for racing use. In 1984 Bell produced the Lil Bell Shell, a no-shell children's helmet. These early helmets had little ventilation.

In 1985, Snell B85 was introduced, the first widely adopted standard for bicycle helmets; this has subsequently been refined into B90 and B95 (see Standards below). At this time helmets were almost all either hard-shell or no-shell (perhaps with a vacuum-formed plastic cover). Ventilation was still minimal due mainly to technical limitations of the foams and shells in use.

A Giro Atmos helmet, showing seamless in-mould micro shell construction

Around 1990 a new construction technique was invented: in-mould micro shell. A very thin shell was incorporated during the moulding process. This rapidly became the dominant technology, allowing for larger vents and more complex shapes than hard shells.

Use of hard shells declined rapidly among the general cyclist population during the 1990s, almost disappearing from road and cross country mountain bike helmets by the end of the decade, but remaining popular with BMX riders and more aggressive mountain bike disciplines such as downhill riding.

The late 1990s and early 2000s saw advances in retention and fitting systems, with cradles which adjust precisely to the rider's head, replacing the old system of varying thickness pads. This resulted in the back of the head being less covered by the helmet, although more recent designs have largely addressed this.

Since more advanced helmets began being used in the Tour de France, carbon fiber inserts are often used to increase strength and protection of the helmet. The Giro Atmos and Ionos, as well as the Bell Alchera, were among the first to use carbon fiber, MET Helmets furthered the use of carbon fibre by in-moulding a complete cage during manufacturing.

Some modern road and track racing bicycle helmets have a long tapering back end for streamlining. This type of helmet is mainly dedicated to time trial racing and Triathlon as they lack significant ventilation, making them uncomfortable for long races.

History of standards

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In the United States the Snell Memorial Foundation, an organisation initially established to create standards for motorcycle and auto racing helmets, implemented one of the first standards, since updated. Snell's standard includes testing of random samples. In 1990 the Consumers' Association (UK) market survey showed that around 90 % of helmets on sale were Snell B90 certified. By their 1998 survey, the number of Snell certified helmets was around zero. There are two main types of helmet: hard shell and soft/micro shell (no-shell helmets are now rare). Hard shells declined rapidly among the general cyclist population over this period, almost disappearing by the end of the decade, but remained more popular with BMX riders as well as inline skaters and skateboarders.

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) created a standard called ANSI Z80.4 in 1984. Later, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) created its own mandatory standard for all bicycle helmets sold in the United States, which took effect in March 1999.

In the European Union (EU) the currently applicable standards are EN 1078:1997 and EN 1080:1997.

An additional and voluntary standard was created by Swedish medical professionals. MIPS-compliant helmets are intended to reduce rotational violence to the brain caused by angled impacts.

In Australia and New Zealand, the current legally required standard is AS/NZS 2063. A 2004 report concluded that the performance requirements of the 1996 version of this standard was slightly less strict than the Snell B95 standard but incorporated a quality assurance requirement, making it arguably safer.

Design intentions and standards

The standards are intended to reduce acceleration to (and within) the head due to impact, as a stiff liner made of expanded polystyrene is crushed against the head. However, both the CPSC and the EN 1078 standards only look at linear accelerations and ignore rotational accelerations. The rotational accelerations that arise in bicycle accidents can be large enough to cause concussions, diffuse axonal injury and subdural haematoma. A few new helmets are designed to reduce rotational accelerations in accidents.

It is important that a helmet fit the cyclist properly – in one study of children and adolescents aged 4 to 18 years, 96 % were found to be incorrectly fitted. Efficacy of incorrectly fitted helmets is reckoned to be much lower; one estimate states that risk is increased almost twofold.

History of use

Helmets use varies greatly between populations and between groups. Downhill mountain bikers and amateur sportive cyclists normally wear helmets, and helmet use is enforced in professional cycle sport and in a few legal jurisdictions. Utility cyclists and children are much less likely to wear helmets unless compelled.

Required helmet use in cycling sport

Joop Zoetemelk in 1979

Historically, road cycling regulations set by the sport's ruling body, Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), did not require helmet use, leaving the matter to individual preferences and local traffic laws. The majority of professional cyclists chose not to wear helmets, citing discomfort and claiming that helmet weight would put them in a disadvantage during uphill sections of the race.

The first serious attempt by the UCI to introduce compulsory helmet use was 1991 Paris–Nice race, which resulted in a riders' strike, and UCI abandoned the idea.

While voluntary helmet use in professional ranks rose somewhat in the 1990s, the turning point in helmet policy was the March 2003 death of Andrei Kivilev at the Paris–Nice. The new rules were introduced on 5 May 2003, with the 2003 Giro d'Italia being the first major race affected. The 2003 rules allowed for discarding the helmets during final climbs of at least 5 kilometres in length; subsequent revisions made helmet use mandatory at all times.

Example of shock detector in bicycle helmet to signal when a crash has occurred
Types of modern bicycle helmet design technologies. Energy absorbing Bontrager Wavecell (left) and Smith Koroyd (center); MIPS (right)

Injury reduction

There is consistent scientific evidence that bicycle helmets reduce the severity of head injuries, particularly serious injuries, in accidents, although they are less useful when a motor vehicle is involved.

Health benefits of cycling

Studies from China, Denmark, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom show that regular cyclists live longer because the health effects far outweigh the risk of crashes. A reduction in the number of cyclists is likely to harm the health of the population more than any possible protection from injury. UK figures show that it takes at least 8,000 years of average cycling to produce one clinically severe head injury and 22,000 years for one death. De Jong developed a mathematical model to evaluate the health-risk trade-offs of all-age mandatory helmet laws, if they were to be introduced in various North American and Western European countries. He concluded that helmet laws appear to offer net health benefit only in those countries with more dangerous bicycling environments under optimistic assumptions of the efficacy of helmets. Newbold suggested improvements to the De Jong model, and, using published cycling statistics for the United States in his revised model, found that mandatory bicycle helmet laws would seem to have positive net public health benefits there. However, Newbold stressed that there were many parameters to these models which require further research to properly quantitate, and that results should be considered provisional rather than definitive.

Some researchers have suggested that a legal requirement to wear helmets there may have dissuaded people from cycling, and that repeal of these laws could lead to increased cycling. This suggestion has been criticised. Fewer cyclists might lead to increased risks per cyclist due to the "safety in numbers" effect. This means that if the number of cyclists on the road doubles, then the average individual cyclist can ride for an additional 50 percent of the time without increasing the probability of being struck. It is thought that the increased frequency of motorist-cyclist interaction creates more aware motorists.

Risk compensation

It has been hypothesised that the wearing of helmets may make cyclists feel safer and thus take more risks. This hypothetical effect is known as risk compensation or risk homeostasis. Some authors have suggested that risk compensation occurs with other road safety interventions such as seat belts and anti-lock braking systems, but these views are disputed by other road safety experts.

A Spanish study of traffic accidents between 1990 and 1999 found that helmeted cyclists involved in accidents were less likely to have committed a traffic law violation than unhelmeted cyclists, and that helmeted cyclists were no more likely to have committed a speeding violation in association with the accident than unhelmeted cyclists. The authors concluded that "although the findings do not support the existence of a strong risk compensation mechanism among helmeted cyclists, this possibility cannot be ruled out."

In one experimental study, adults accustomed to wearing helmets cycled more slowly without a helmet, but no difference in helmeted and unhelmeted cycling speed was found for cyclists who do not usually wear helmets. An experimental study found that children negotiating an obstacle course on foot went faster and took more risks when wearing safety gear (including helmets). A telephone interview study found that in hypothetical scenarios of their children wearing protective equipment or not, parents' ratings of permissible risk for their children was higher if protective gear was hypothetically worn.

Motorists may also alter their behaviour toward helmeted cyclists. One study by Walker in England found that 2500 vehicles passed a helmeted cyclist with measurably less clearance (8.5 cm less) than that given to the same cyclist unhelmeted (out of an average total passing distance of 1.2 to 1.3 metres). An initial re-analysis of these data by other investigators agreed that with the 8.5 cm finding, but argued that there were not more "close passes" (which they defined as under 1 metre of clearance). In 2018, Walker published a rebuttal, arguing that there were more passes under 1.5m (the legal minimum distance in Spain and Germany) or 2m, and there was not enough evidence to say there weren't more passes at under 1m.

In 1988, Rodgers re-analysed data which supposedly showed helmets to be effective; he found data errors and methodological weaknesses, and concluded that in fact the data showed "bicycle-related fatalities are positively and significantly associated with increased helmet use". He mentioned risk compensation as one possible explanation of this association.

Counterfeits

With fake "knock-off" products of inferior quality and durability increasingly appearing for sale online, many direct from China, consumers are warned to be suspicious of prices that seem too good to be true, and to purchase helmets from reputable local or online sellers. The main target markets seem to be the US and Europe, with 90 percent of US counterfeit seizures coming from Hong Kong and China.

Accidents from wearing at inappropriate times

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has warned that children should not wear bike helmets while using playground equipment, or any time when they are not biking, because of the risk of strangulation by the helmet strap should the helmet or strap be caught in playground equipment, a tree being climbed, and so on. European Standard EN 1080, which uses a weak retention system designed to open under load, was published in 1997 to address this problem. Such helmets are not intended for use anywhere motor vehicles are present. To avoid serious accidents, parents and carers should take care to ensure that children do not wear bicycle helmets during unsupervised play, or when using climbing equipment.

Debate over compulsion or strong promotion

Supporters

The National Health Service of the United Kingdom lists wearing a helmet as one of its "cycling safety tips" for beginners, and it states "wearing a cycling helmet can help prevent a head injury if you fall from your bike". The American Medical Association Medical Student Section has stated that "helmet use is an effective public health intervention".

A number of cycling advocacy organisations support helmet use or legislation. The League of American Bicyclists "has encouraged the wearing of helmets via its publications and its education program for many years. Since 1991 the League has required participants in League-sponsored events to wear helmets." Bicycle Network, Australia's largest bike riding organisation, previously supported the helmet legislation, but is no longer supporting a mandate. Bicycle Queensland supports helmet laws, noting that "ample research shows the safety benefits of wearing helmets surpasses the no-helmet personal-freedom argument".

Numerous health medical groups support helmet laws. These include the World Health Organization, the British Medical Association, the American Medical Association, the American College of Emergency Physicians, the Canadian Paediatric Society, the Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine, and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the (British) Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents recommend wearing helmets. Safety groups Safe Kids USA and the National Safety Council urge helmet wearing. SWOV (the Dutch Institute for Road Safety Research) recommends helmet use. Temple University's Public Health Law Research program classifies bicycle helmets laws as an "effective" public health intervention, based on a review of scholarly research. The British National Children's Bureau supports and promotes helmet use.

Opponents

Dorothy Robinson reviewed data from jurisdictions where helmet use increased following legislation, and concluded that helmet laws did not demonstrably reduce cyclists' head injuries. Mayer Hillman, a transport and road safety analyst from the UK, does not support the use of helmets, reasoning that they are of very limited value in the event of a collision with a car, that risk compensation negates their protective effect and because he feels their promotion implicitly shifts responsibility of care to the cyclist. He also cautions against placing the recommendations of surgeons above other expert opinion in the debate, comparing it to drawing conclusions on whether it is worthwhile to buy lottery tickets by sampling only a group of prizewinners. The prominent UK-based cycling activist John Franklin is skeptical of the merits of helmets, regarding proactive measures including bike maintenance and riding skills as being more important. Cyclists' representative groups complain that focus on helmets diverts attention from other issues which are much more important for improving bicycle safety, such as road danger reduction, training, roadcraft, and bicycle maintenance.

In 1998 the European Cyclists' Federation (ECF) adopted a position paper rejecting compulsory helmet laws as being likely to have greater negative rather than positive health effects. The UK's largest cyclists' organisation, Cycling UK, believes that the "overall health effects of compulsory helmets are negative." The Dutch Fietsersbond (Cyclists' Union) summarised existing evidence and concluded that a compulsory helmet law (for utility cyclists) would have a negative impact on population health: "Helmet laws save a few brains, but destroy a lot of hearts". No policy position was provided for other types of cycling, particular mountain biking (MTB) and all forms of on- and off-road cycle sports.

Cycling Action Network (New Zealand) policy states "There is evidence that mandatory cycle helmet wearing legislation is not working as intended and should be reviewed. Priority needs to be given to other safety issues such as motorist behaviour and roading improvements."

Legislation and culture

See also: Bicycle helmet laws by country

The following countries have mandatory helmet laws, in at least one jurisdiction, for either minors only, or for all riders: Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Iceland, New Zealand, Sweden, and the United States. Spain requires helmets on interurban routes. In the US, 21 states have statewide mandatory helmet laws for minors of varying ages, and 37 states have mandatory helmet laws for varying age groups in varying jurisdictions. Nearly 9 in 10 American adults support helmet laws for children. Israel's helmet law was never enforced or obeyed, and the adult element has been revoked; Mexico City has repealed its helmet law.

In 2004, a Bill proposing to make the wearing of bicycle helmets compulsory came before the UK Parliament, and was defeated. Horton observed: "The 2004 Parliamentary Bill was unanimously opposed by the cycling establishment, with every major cycling organisation and magazine rejecting helmet compulsion." A 2016 Irish postage stamp originally depicting a cyclist with helmet and hi-vis vest was altered to remove those after Cycling Ireland complained that it would discourage people from taking up cycling.

Although a causal link is not proven, it is observed that the countries with the best cycle safety records (Denmark and the Netherlands) have among the lowest levels of helmet use. Their bicycle safety record is generally attributed to public awareness and understanding of cyclists, safety in numbers, education, and cycling infrastructure. A study of cycling in major streets of Boston, Paris and Amsterdam illustrates the variation in cycling culture: Boston had far higher rates of helmet-wearing (32% of cyclists, versus 2.4% in Paris and 0.1% in Amsterdam), Amsterdam had far more cyclists (242 passing bicycles per hour, versus 74 in Paris and 55 in Boston). Cycle helmet wearing rates in the Netherlands and Denmark are very low. An Australian journalist writes: "Rarities in Amsterdam seem to be stretch-fabric-clad cyclists and fat cyclists. Helmets are non-existent, and when people asked me where I was from, they would grimace and mutter: "Ah, yes, helmet laws." These had gained international notoriety on a par with our deadly sea animals. Despite the lack of helmets, cycling in the Netherlands is safer than in any other country, and the Dutch have one-third the number of cycling fatalities (per 100,000 people) that Australia has." Cycling UK say that cycling in the Netherlands and Denmark is perceived as a "normal" activity requiring no special clothing or equipment. Pucher and Buehler state: "The Dutch cycling experts and planners interviewed for this paper adamantly opposed the use of helmets, claiming that helmets discourage cycling by making it less convenient, less comfortable, and less fashionable. They also mention the possibility that helmets would make cycling more dangerous by giving cyclists a false sense of safety and thus encouraging riskier riding behavior."

See also

Quotes

  1. Hagel et al. 2006: "Confounding variables may also influence both the exposure and outcome variables in the context of a time series or ecological study. For example, a fall in the number of bicyclists in the 1990s may simply reflect an increase in in-line skating or other recreational activities... Without evidence that those who allegedly stopped cycling rode enough to confer a heart health benefit or that they did not take up another healthy activity in its place, Robinson cannot conclude that decreases in cycling are harmful to health and her argument crumbles."

References

  1. ^ Consumer Product Safety Commission. "Safety Standard for Bicycle Helmets" (PDF). Final Rule 16 CFR Part 1203. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2006. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
  2. Bike Riders Aids 1967–8. London: Holdsworth. 1966. p. 6.
  3. "America on the move-Bicycle helmet". National Museum of American History. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  4. Herlihy, David V. (2004). Bicycle: the history. New Haven: Yale University Press. p. 368. ISBN 978-0-300-12047-9. bell biker.
  5. "Snell 1995 Bicycle Helmet Standard. 1998 revision and amendments".
  6. ^ E. Towner; T. Dowswell; M. Burkes; H. Dickinson; J. Towner; M. Hayes (November 2002). "Bicycle Helmets: Review of Effectiveness". UK Department for Transport. Archived from the original on 2 February 2010. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  7. Trade Practices (Consumer Product Safety Standard) (Bicycle Helmets) Regulations 2001 Statutory Rules 2001 No. 279 as amended – F2009C01271. Australian Government. 2009.
  8. Gibson T; Cheung A (2004). CR 220: Assessing the level of safety provided by the Snell B95 standard for bicycle helmets. Australian Government Department of Infrastructure and Transport. ISBN 0-642-25522-9. Archived from the original on 5 December 2010. Retrieved 23 May 2010.
  9. Walker, Brian (June–July 2005). "Heads Up" (PDF). Cycle Magazine: 42–5. Cycle helmets protect the head by reducing the rate at which the skull and brain would be accelerated or decelerated by an impact.
  10. Sundahl, Jim G (19 January 1998). "Letter to the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 September 2008.
  11. ^ Hansen, Kirk; Dau, Nathan; Feist, Florian; Deck, Caroline; Willinger, Rémy; Madey, Steven M.; Bottlang, Michael (October 2013). "Angular Impact Mitigation system for bicycle helmets to reduce head acceleration and risk of traumatic brain injury". Accident Analysis & Prevention. 59: 109–117. doi:10.1016/j.aap.2013.05.019. ISSN 0001-4575. PMC 3769450. PMID 23770518.
  12. ^ Frank, Michael; Phillips, Matt. "Precious Protection". Archived from the original on 24 March 2015. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
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  15. FUBICY, Fédération francaise des Usagers de la Bicyclette. Our helmet main page, English version. the ratio of cyclists wearing a helmet is close to 90% among sportive cyclists (86 to 94%), whereas this ratio is only 7% among urban cyclists or non-sportive leisure cyclists
  16. "Death of cyclist Andrei Kivilev: declaration by the International Cycling Union". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2009.
  17. "Mandatory wear of helmets for the elite category" (Press release). Union Cycliste Internationale. 2 May 2003. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2008.
  18. "Article 1.3.031" (PDF). Union Cycliste Internationale. 2 May 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 June 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2008.
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  20. "10 Proven Health Benefits of Cycling to Work – Yes Cycling". Yes Cycling. 18 June 2017. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
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  22. ee Hartog, Jeroen Johan; Boogaard, Hanna; Nijland, Hans; Hoek, Gerard (2010). "Do the Health Benefits of Cycling Outweigh the Risks?". Environmental Health Perspectives. 118 (8): 1109–16. doi:10.1289/ehp.0901747. PMC 2920084. PMID 20587380.
  23. Matthews, Charles E.; Jurj, Adriana L.; Shu, Xiao-ou; Li, Hong-Lan; Yang, Gong; Li, Qi; Gao, Yu-Tang; Zheng, Wei (2007). "Influence of Exercise, Walking, Cycling, and Overall Nonexercise Physical Activity on Mortality in Chinese Women". American Journal of Epidemiology. 165 (12): 1343–50. doi:10.1093/aje/kwm088. PMID 17478434.
  24. Hillman, Mayer (1992). Cycling: Towards health and safety. British Medical Association. ISBN 978-0-19-286151-1.
  25. ^ Robinson, D.L. (1996). "Head injuries and bicycle helmet laws". Accident Analysis & Prevention. 28 (4): 463–75. doi:10.1016/0001-4575(96)00016-4. PMID 8870773.
  26. ^ Robinson, D.L. (2006). "No clear evidence from countries that have enforced the wearing of helmets". BMJ. 332 (7543): 722–25. doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7543.722-a. PMC 1410838. PMID 16565131.
  27. Wardlaw, Malcolm J. (2000). "Three lessons for a better cycling future". BMJ. 321 (7276): 1582–85. doi:10.1136/bmj.321.7276.1582. PMC 1119262. PMID 11124188.
  28. ^ De Jong, Piet (2012). "The Health Impact of Mandatory Bicycle Helmet Laws". Risk Analysis. 32 (5): 782–90. doi:10.1111/j.1539-6924.2011.01785.x. PMID 22462680. S2CID 7116890.
  29. Newbold, Stephen C. (2012). "Examining the Health-Risk Tradeoffs of Mandatory Bicycle Helmet Laws". Risk Analysis. 32 (5): 791–98, discussion 799–800. doi:10.1111/j.1539-6924.2012.01770.x. PMID 22324749. S2CID 13031129.
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