Bicycle helmets
Wearing a bicycle helmet during a crash can reduce the severity of head injuries and lessen the risk of a fatality. Studies abroad have proved that bicycle helmets are effective in reducing injuries, but the effect percentages vary considerably.
In the Netherlands, 30% of in-patient cyclists after a crash are diagnosed with head injuries which refer to brain and skull injuries. 60% of cyclists killed have severe brain or skull injuries. The crash statistics show head injuries to be most common among those younger than 25 years old.
In the Netherlands, nearly half of all road crash in-patients are cyclists. They are considered to be vulnerable because they move through traffic unprotected. Vulnerable road users include pedestrians, cyclists, light-moped and moped riders; but among them most of the casualties are cyclists. However, the number of cyclist fatalities is decreasing. A striking fact is that more than three-quarters of cyclist in-patients was involved in a single vehicle crash; a crash in which no motor vehicle was involved. The injuries are mostly caused by falling off the bicycle, but also by collisions with other cyclists or with pedestrians. Fatal crashes are mostly caused by a collision with a motor vehicle. Head injuries are more often severe in crashes with motor vehicles (40%) than in crashes in which no motor vehicle was involved (30%).
At the international level there is much discussion between supporters and opponents of making the bicycle helmet compulsory; opponents expect that bicycle use will decline as a result. In the Netherlands, voluntary wearing, particularly by small children, is being encouraged, and this has resulted in increased helmet use by this target group.
For more details:
Fact sheet Bicycle helmets (pdf)
