| When we think about motorcycles we think about the | | | | Ironically, the very people who reject motorcycle |
| feel of the rushing wind in our faces and our hair | | | | helmets think nothing about wearing a helmet for |
| blowing back behind us. We think about looking cool as | | | | sports activities. No one questions the use of helmets |
| we speed down the road. What we don't think about | | | | in, for example, football or ice hockey. Helmets protect |
| is what happens to the human body when it is involved | | | | the players from injury. |
| in a motorcycle collision with a car or van. We don't | | | | The Cleveland Clinic Health Information Center states |
| think about the impact of the collision, the body being | | | | that injury can be prevented through the use of |
| thrown clear and sliding along the road's surface until it | | | | properly fitted helmets. There are different kinds of |
| stops on its own or until it encounters a fence or a | | | | safety helmet for sports. It is critical to wear the right |
| telephone pole. | | | | size. A loose fitting helmet cannot protect the head |
| It was the death of a race car driver that sparked | | | | because it will move when impacted. The helmet |
| interest in helmet safety in this country. In 1956, William | | | | should always touch the head all the way around. |
| Snell was killed when his helmet failed to protect him in | | | | We don't often think about getting injured on a bicycle, |
| what was deemed a survivable race car accident. | | | | but, according to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, |
| Since that time, the standards for helmets have been | | | | nearly 540,000 bicyclists are injured seriously enough |
| regulated by the American National Standards Institute, | | | | each year to require visiting an emergency room. Of |
| with the input of the Snell Memorial Foundation. While | | | | this number, 67,000 have head injuries. The Snell |
| we can regulate helmet safety, it is not always | | | | Foundation has also developed standards for bicycle |
| possible to get people to wear them. Unless they are | | | | helmets. |
| mandated by law, many people refuse to do so. | | | | As with motorcycle helmets, bicycle helmets should fit |
| According to the National Highway and Traffic Safety | | | | the head properly. Loose helmets do not protect the |
| Administration, just under half of all motorcycle deaths | | | | head. Straps should be adjusted to ensure the best fit. |
| between 1990 and 1993 resulted because the rider | | | | Many helmets are made from expanded polystyrene, |
| was not wearing a safety helmet. Even if death is | | | | but no other material is considered best for helmets. |
| avoided when the helmetless rider was injured, there | | | | Bicycle helmets protect the head by absorbing energy |
| may still be drastic consequences. Head, neck and | | | | and lessening the force of the impact. Their light weight |
| back injuries may leave riders paralyzed or | | | | make them ideal for the bicycle riders. |
| handicapped for life. | | | | |