Over the spring, summer, and fall months, we’ve been lucky enough to see more kids on bikes outside, away from screens, pedaling through the neighborhood. Traveling in noisy bunches and darting around like squirrels and just as twitchy, they put in dozens of miles a day without ever leaving the cul-de-sac. But one thing was noticeable; only a few were wearing helmets. 

While anecdotal, there’s research that supports the observation that parents seem to be more lenient when it comes to making their kids wear a helmet while bicycling. While some older generations grew up without protective headwear, it seemed that we’d made progress over the past two decades in protecting our kids while they pedal. It would appear, however, that we’ve taken a big step back. 

One survey from 2017 found that 40% of parents don’t require their children to wear helmets. Seeing that percentage was shocking, but the rationale behind it was even more eye-opening. Of the parents who didn’t mandate helmet usage, 47% stated they didn’t believe it was necessary. That ignores decades of research that confirms that helmets certainly reduce the chances of brain trauma in a crash. It’s common sense; would you rather it your head on the ground with or without a helmet? 

There were a few other reasons for no requiring helmets, including ill-fitting or uncomfortable helmets. This can surely be an issue, but with more and more brands often not just kid-specific helmets, but sizes infants, toddlers, and older children as well, it’s less of an issue. Parents also pointed out that kids may be teased by playmates who didn’t wear helmets. 

Whether it’s a fashion statement or not, helmets are an important safety measure. Roughly 50 kids per hour are seeking emergency room treatment in the United States due to injuries from cycling, roller-skating, or skateboarding. Experts believe these sports and the rise of scooters have combined to increase the rate of injuries caused by wheeled-sports by as much as 40% between the years of 2005 and 2015. 

Talk to your child about the importance of wearing a helmet, and take time to help them adjust their fit to make sure it’s comfortable and effective. Don’t allow them to use any wheeled toys without it, and that means enforcing penalties or restrictions if they’re caught not wearing them. If you need a helmet, programs like Lids For Kids help provide them at no cost. 

Kids need to protect their brains. Want to make that easier? Set the example yourself!