Family Safety - 4 Reasons Why Kids Don't Wear Bike Helmets - June 2006

The top four reasons kids say they don’t wear a bike helmet are based on myths. Here are some pointers to help parents respond:

Myth 1: Helmets aren’t cool.

Fact: Helmets are designed to help prevent injuries to your skull and your brain. A serious fall or crash can cause permanent brain damage or death. Permanent brain damage or death? That’s definitely not cool.

Myth 2: Helmets just aren’t comfortable.

Fact: Helmets are lightweight and well ventilated. They’re actually a lot more comfortable than they have ever been. Just make sure to look for a standards sticker inside the helmet. Standards have been taken care of by a Government regulation requiring all helmets to meet the Consumer Product Safety Commission standard after 1999. Look for a CPSC, ASTM or Snell B-95 sticker.

Myth 3: I have never worn a helmet and nothing has happened to me so far.

Fact: Consider yourself lucky. Bike crashes or collisions can happen at any time. Even professional bike racers get in serious collisions. More importantly, studies show that in 3 out of every 4 bike crashes, bikers get some sort of injury to the head.

Myth 4: I just don’t want everybody to see me wearing a helmet.

Fact: Wait! That’s just the point! Helmets make it easier for motorists, pedestrians, and other bikers to see you. If everyone can see you, they won’t run into you.