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1. Why are bicycle helmets so important?

Bicycle helmets can reduce the risk of head injury by up to 85%. Most deaths related to bicycle falls and collisions involve head injuries. This means that wearing a helmet can save your life.

2. Do I really need to wear a bicycle helmet?

Yes. Each year, bicycle-related deaths number about 900, and United States hospital emergency rooms treat more than 500,000 people for bicycle-related injuries. More children, ages 5 to 14, go to U.S. hospital emergency rooms for injuries associated with bicycles than with any other sport. Many of these injuries involve the head. If you do not wear a bicycle helmet, you are risking your life.

All young children should wear a bicycle helmet, whether they are riding bicycles, tricycles, or are passengers on a parent's bicycle. Never carry a child under age 1 on your bicycle.

3. Will bicycle helmets meeting the Consumer Product Safety Commission's bicycle helmet safety standard protect young children?

Young children on bicycles suffer a higher proportion of head injuries than older bicyclists. Under the Consumer Product Safety Commission new standard, bicycle helmets for children ages 1 to 5 cover a larger portion of the head than helmets for older persons, thus providing additional protection.

4. How can I tell if my bicycle helmet fits properly?

The helmet should fit comfortably and securely. It should be worn so that it is level on the head (not tilted back on the crown or pulled low over the forehead). You should not be able to move the helmet in any direction, back-to-front or side-to-side. The chin strap should be securely fastened. If needed, the helmet's sizing pads can help improve the fit.