Why Are Bike Helmets Important?
Biking--whether riding for recreation or exercise--is a great way to stay fit. However, it is important to stay safe while riding, or the consequences can be dire. Wearing a helmet is critical in case you should take a bad fall off of your bike.
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Brain Injuries
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Out of all bike injuries, one out of eight of them are brain injuries. People who wear bike helmets lower the risk of brain injury by 88 percent.
Death
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The decision to put on that bike helmet could mean the difference between life and death. About 75 percent of bicycle-related deaths of children could have been prevented by wearing a bike helmet. Helmets aren't just for kids, though; adults run the same risks.
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Memory Loss
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A strong blow to the head can cause memory loss, such as amnesia. Rather than suffer through this, it's wise to simply wear a helmet in the first place.
Law
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For most people under the age of 18, riding your bike without a helmet is against the law and is punishable by a fine. The regulations vary from state to state.
Statistics
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Use of helmets by children between the ages of 4 and 15 could prevent about 155 deaths and 45,000 head injuries per year in the United States.
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Resources
- Photo Credit www.theonion.com/content/files/images/Bike-Helmet.jpg