Over the past ten years, cycling has experienced a boom of interest and has become popular as a means of transportation, exercise, and as a hobby. When the Covid 19 Pandemic first occurred in 2020 hundreds of thousands of people flocked to cycling as a new hobby and a fun new way to experience the beauty of the outdoors.
Here in Salt Lake City cycling provides numerous benefits, it is a fantastic way to exercise, and explore the city in a whole new way. While the benefits of cycling are numerous, it can be incredibly dangerous, especially when riding in a city. As Salt Lake City Bike Accident Lawyers we cannot emphasize enough how crucial it is to prioritize your safety while you are riding your bike. The best way to do this? Wear a helmet.
Why Wear a Helmet?
Riding a bicycle is an inherently dangerous activity. You share the road with vehicles that are twice to three times your size and 20 times as heavy. This is why it is incredibly important to protect yourself as best as you can.
Wearing a helmet can provide several benefits to a rider and can significantly reduce your risks of head injuries, and potentially save your life in the event of an accident. As your Salt Lake City bike accident lawyers we can not stress enough why you should wear a helmet, so in this article we will be detailing several key reasons why wearing a helmet is so important while riding a bike.
Protection Against Head Injuries
A helmet in use acts as a protective barrier. A helmet absorbs the impact from a fall or collision and helps to minimize the risk of severe head trauma. According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, in 2023, 1,155 bicyclists were killed in accidents involving a car, of which 721 people who were killed were not wearing a helmet.
The National Library of Medicine also estimates that wearing a helmet can reduce head injuries by 48%, serious head injuries by 60%, and Traumatic Brain Injuries by 53%.
Protecting yourself while cycling should be a top priority, and wearing a helmet is the first step you should take before you set off. If you or a loved one was hurt in a bicycle accident it is vital to contact a bike accident attorney.
A head injury is one of the most severe forms of injuries that you can receive, they are detrimental to your health and can take months to heal. Or in some cases you may never fully recover from a brain injury. Risking a head injury is far too dangerous, by wearing a helmet you are able to greatly decrease the risks of receiving one.
Setting an Example
In Utah there is no law specifically requiring you to wear a helmet. That is why it is crucial that as cyclists we set a positive example of wearing helmets and promoting safety. By simply wearing a helmet you are setting an example for others, especially children and younger cyclists.
It is vital for our community that we prioritize safety and create a culture of responsible bike riding.
Choosing the Right Helmet
Choosing your helmet is equally as important as wearing it. When selecting a helmet there are several factors that should be considered to ensure optimal protection against injuries, these are:
Certified Safety Standards
When you are selecting a helmet, it is key that you select a helmet that matches the safety standards set by organizations such as the Consumer Product Safety Commission or the Snell Memorial Foundation.
These groups run rigorous testing on helmets to ensure that they meet all specific safety criteria. When you select a helmet that has been approved by these organizations you are ensuring that you are getting the utmost protection out of your helmet.
Proper Fit
One aspect that often goes overlooked when you strap on your helmet is whether or not it fits properly. Simply strapping on your helmet is not enough, if your helmet is too tight or too loose you will lose out on the safety features that a helmet provides.
In order to get the proper fit for your helmet do the following:
Make sure that your helmet sits about two finger widths above your eyebrows. Next make sure that your helmet is properly adjusted and that it fits snuggly on your head. You can test this by shaking your head back and forth without the strap buckled, if it fits properly it should stay in place. Lastly, adjust your chin strap so that it is loose enough to fit one finger between your chin and the strap. You can also follow the visual guide below to ensure that your helmet fits properly.
By checking that your helmet fits properly you are certain to properly utilize all of the safety benefits a helmet can provide.
Helmet Style
When you go to select a helmet you must remember to choose the correct style of helmet for the activities you are planning on doing. Helmets will fit into these three styles:
- Recreational / Commuter Bike Helmets- Provide basic protection for all styles of riding.
- Road Bike Helmets- Lightweight, well ventilated, and aerodynamic.
- Mountain Bike Helmets- Well ventilated, and offers extended rear head coverage as a mountain biker is more likely to fall backwards.
Picking out the helmet that is best suited for the activities you plan on participating in is key. Your helmet will have the features you desire and will grant you the protection you need.
The Damages of Not Wearing a Helmet
Failing to wear a helmet while riding your bike can result in dire consequences, both physically, emotionally, and financially:
Increased Risk of Head Injuries
When you do not wear a helmet you are exposing yourself to a much higher likelihood of sustaining injuries if you get into an accident. By just wearing a helmet you reduce the risk of head and brain injuries by up to 60%, as well as reducing facial injuries by 23%.
When you wear a helmet you are preventing serious injuries such as a concussion, skull fractures and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs). These injuries can be severe and may require extensive costly medical treatment and rehabilitation.
Emotional and Financial Toll
A serious head injury can contribute to severe emotional trauma and financial tolls. Your brain or head injury can result in physical disabilities, a loss of income and incredibly high medical expenses can place a significant burden on you and your loved ones. These emotional and financial tolls can be severe and one of the reasons why it is so important to wear a helmet while riding a bike.
The lawyers at LifeLaw Personal Injury are experts on bicycle accidents. One of our attorneys, David Francis, is a former member of the US Cycling Team, along with former teammates Lance Armstrong, Jonathan Vaughters, and George Hincapie. This specialized knowledge allows us to better understand the complex legal issues that arise in a bicycle accident injury. Allow the bicycle accident attorneys at LifeLaw Personal Injury to help you. Contact us today for a free consultation. We are happy to discuss your case and answer any questions you may have.