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