Q: Is there really any evidence to prove that bicycle helmets improve safety? Is it limited to certain age groups or certain riding conditions?
A: Many recent scientifically designed studies have addressed this question, and nearly all make the same conclusions: bicycle helmets provide significant safety benefits to all riders.
Helmets offer about 70-80% reduction in the risk of head injury, brain injury, and severe brain injury. This protection is equally effective for all ages, and all riding conditions. Even when accidents involve motor vehicle collisions, helmets still offer a 70-80% decrease in the risk of head/brain injury. A recent study of 3849 injured cyclists had 14 deaths. Of the 14 deaths, only one was wearing a helmet-a six year old who was crushed by a truck.
Generally, aside from helmet use, the following issues put a rider more at risk of a head injury:
Q: Don't riders who wear helmets just ride more recklessly and get in more accidents because they feel more confident?
A: There is absolutely no reason to believe this is true, and this is usually just another excuse to not wear a helmet.
If you look at rider injuries in an organized study, it is easy to prove this is not so. Riders who wear helmets, if they were truly more reckless, would have a higher rated of injuries to other non-protected areas such as hands, wrists, collar-bones, etc. However, studies show that this is not true.
Furthermore, in order for the risky behavior to negate the safety effect of the helmet a rider would have to ride with a style FOUR TIMES more dangerous than previously. This would be along the line of moving from your exercise bicycle in the house to the world cup downhill, just because having a helmet makes you feel cocky.
Q: Which kind of helmets are the safest?
A: When deciding which helmets are the safest, there is alot of theory, but not much proof. In theory, many experts agree that micro-shell helmets are safer than hardshell helmets, which are in turn safer than no shell helmets. However, studies of actual injuries fail to find a true Statistically Significant difference, although a hint that this may be true is present.
Concerning helmet certification, the Snell testing procedure, which includes random "off the shelf" testing is more ridgid than the ANSI or ASTM testing. Any helmet which passes the Snell test will certainly pass the ANSI and ASTM testing as well. While the Snell tested helmet may provide better protection,this has not been proven in actual studies.
In general, getting a helmet that fits properly and is comfortable enough to wear all the time is the most important thing.
Q: What good is a helmet for head protection when it doesn't offer any protection for the face?
A: In fact helmets do offer significant protection from fractures and lacerations in the upper and mid facial areas. Helmets offer about 65% reduction in injury to the eyes, forehead, nose, ears, and cheeks.
Unfortunately, helmets offer no protection for the lower face (jaw, lips, and mouth). Full face protection helmets, which are mandatory in most downhill events, may escalate in popularity to further protect these areas.