Bicycle Helmet Laws
A bicycle helmet is a life-saving device that should be worn by all cyclists, whether they choose to ride trails or on pavement. A bicycle crash without the protection of a helmet can result in a potentially fatal injury. Depending on type and features, helmets are generally very cheap, priced between $20 and $100. This is the best insurance policy that a cyclist can buy. Your brain is simply too valuable to waste.
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History
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Since 1987, states have begun to adopt mandatory helmet laws. These laws generally only apply to riders younger than 18, and laws have been adopted gradually by different states and counties. The majority of helmet laws were not adopted until the 1990s or 2000s. As of 2009, there is no federal law requiring the use of helmets.
Laws By State
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Many states, such as Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, Ohio and North Carolina, require helmets to be worn by all individuals younger than 16. Most counties in Virginia and Missouri raised the age to 17. In Washington state, most counties have required all riders of any age to wear helmets since the 1990s. California requires all riders younger than 18, as well as skateboarders and inline skaters, to wear helmets. Some states, such as Minnesota, Utah, Indiana, Iowa and the Dakotas, don't have any bicycle helmet laws at all.
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Helmet Safety
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It's very important to wear a helmet properly in order to enjoy its safety benefits. Helmets are available in different sizes, typically child, small, medium, large and extra large. Many helmets will include additional adjustments in order to provide a secure, comfortable fit. Talk to the clerk at your local bike shop to find a helmet that will fit your riding style and the shape of your head. Helmet straps should be snug yet comfortable, without restricting a rider's breathing.
Bicycle Deaths
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Bicycle helmets are proven to reduce the risk of serious injury or death resulting from a crash. From 1994 to 2005, between 83 percent and 97 percent of riders suffering fatal injuries from a bicycle crash were not wearing helmets, according to Helmets.org. This shows that the vast majority of fatal crashes involve the head, which is directly protected by a bicycle helmet.
Considerations
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According to Helmet.org, in many states that have adopted helmet laws, the rate of cyclists hospitalized annually for biking related injuries has dropped by 50 percent to 60 percent. Cyclists should remember, however, that there is more to bicycle safety than helmets. Riding only on terrain you're comfortable with and paying attention to traffic while riding on the street are also important factors of bike safety. Helmets should always be replaced after being damaged in a crash.
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