Bicycle Helmets

Source :: Pediatrics. Oct, 2001, Vol. 108 Issue 4, p1030
Publication Year :: 2001
Abstract: Bicycling remains one of the most popular recreational sports among children in America and is the leading cause of recreational sports injuries treated in emergency departments. An estimated 23 000 children younger than 21 years sustained head injuries (excluding the face) while bicycling in 1998. The bicycle helmet is a very effective device that can prevent the occurrence of up to 88% of serious brain injuries. Despite this, most children do not wear a helmet each time they ride a bicycle, and adolescents are particularly resistant to helmet use. Recently, a group of national experts and government agencies renewed the call for all bicyclists to wear helmets. This policy statement describes the role of the pediatrician in helping attain universal helmet use among children and teens for each bicycle ride.<br />ABBREVIATIONS. ANSI, American National Standards Institute; ASTM, American Society for Testing and Materials; CPSC, Consumer Product Safety Commission. BACKGROUND Bicycling continues to be one of the most popular recreational sports [...]