As a rider, a bike helmet is a simple but essential safety accessory. With more motorists driving on congested roads, the risk of being involved in an accident has increased, and your safety is important in these conditions. This article presents some of the benefits of wearing a bike helmet when cycling:
You won’t be breaking the law.
People must now wear a helmet whenever they ride a bike in all Australian states and territories (excluding the Northern Territory). For example, in metropolitan Melbourne, there was a 16 per cent drop in head injuries two years after bicycle helmet laws were introduced in 1990. In Victoria alone, there was a 23 per cent reduction in head injuries.
It raises the level of security.
When riding a bicycle, the areas of the body that are most prone to injury are your head and face. As previously stated, you don’t want your face smashed into the pavement or dirt and debris from passing vehicles flying at your head. People are more likely to be hurt and injured if they do not wear a helmet. Always use a helmet when cycling to avoid potentially dangerous circumstances.
It sets an excellent example.
Almost everyone understands the necessity of wearing a helmet for safety. However, some children do not enjoy wearing one, putting their lives in danger on the sidewalk or road. Whenever they see you wearing a helmet, they’ll understand it’s the correct thing to do and begin wearing one too. You may be setting a good example without even realising it.
Enhance your ability to see
While the weather may not be ideal and snow and rain may be a part of your cycling trip, a helmet can help you see other drivers on the road as well as potential hazards by keeping rain or snow from your eyes. By reducing the intensity of sunlight in your eyes, a bike helmet with a visor can also help increase visibility.
To provide weather protection.
If riding your bike to and from your job is your primary method of travel, you may have to bike even if the conditions aren’t perfect. In this instance, your helmet provides weather protection. In the rain, your hair will remain relatively dry, and in the snow, it will stay warm and comfortable. During the summer, the helmet also shields bicyclists from the sun’s damaging UV rays.
To get yourself noticed
During the day, drivers will be likely to see you plainly on the road, but at night, you will be nearly invisible to them. Some helmets include built-in reflectors that help oncoming vehicles see you from afar. Others are built so that you may attach a headlamp to them. If you can’t locate a helmet that looks like this, you could always buy some reflective tape and tape a couple of pieces across your regular helmet before you set out to cycle.
You should now understand the significance of wearing a bike helmet as part of your total bicycle gear. As previously stated, you must have one for your protection and safety against inclement weather. You’ll also want it to serve as a role model for other riders, improve your overall visual appeal, and provide you with the most visibility possible on the road. Furthermore, most group excursions make it compulsory to wear helmets to participate. Group excursions are a fantastic opportunity to meet other cyclists in your area, try new routes, and hang out with like-minded people—one thing to remember is how to wear a bike helmet properly. Even the best helmets in the world won’t work if you don’t wear them correctly.