Bicycle helmets: it's time to use them

doi:10.1136/bmj.321.7268.1035

BMJ 2000;321:1035-1036 ( 28 October )

Editorials

Bicycle helmets: it's time to use them

The evidence that they reduce head injuries is too strong to ignore

Papers p 1055

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Bicycling is a worldwide activity. In both developed and developing countries it serves as an important means of transportationas well as an enjoyable recreational activity for adults and children.Thus, injuries related to bicycling are comparatively common,and head injuries account for one third of visits to emergencydepartments, up to two thirds of hospitalisations, and three quartersof deaths.¹ Head injuries also carry a substantial risk oflong term disability. Thus, preventing head injuries associatedwith this common, worldwide activity isimportant.

Safety helmets for bicycling have been available for at least 20 years. Although randomised controlled trials have becomethe gold standard for providing evidence of the effectivenessof clinical interventions, these trials are not feasible for examiningwhether helmets prevent head injuries. Given that the rate ofhead injury is about 20 injuries per 100 000 people, a randomisedcontrolled trial would need to involve tens of thousands of . . . [Full text of this article]

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Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

Effective Cycle Safety Policy: Charlie Lloyd
bmj.com, 30 Oct 2000 [Full text]
Helmets debate counter-productive: Tom Godefrooij
bmj.com, 30 Oct 2000 [Full text]
Yet more poor science: Nigel Perry
bmj.com, 4 Nov 2000 [Full text]
Make helmets compulsory for everyone!: Peter Ward
bmj.com, 4 Nov 2000 [Full text]
Cycle Helmets: Richard Ayres
bmj.com, 7 Nov 2000 [Full text]
Cycle helmets: Carlton Reid
bmj.com, 7 Nov 2000 [Full text]
Cycle helmets: Peter Wilkinson
bmj.com, 8 Nov 2000 [Full text]
Bicycle Helmets: Nicholas P Mann
bmj.com, 8 Nov 2000 [Full text]
An outsider's viewpoint: P S Wootton
bmj.com, 9 Nov 2000 [Full text]
Re: Yet more poor science: David W Evans
bmj.com, 9 Nov 2000 [Full text]
Subsequences and Consequences: Malcolm Wardlaw
bmj.com, 10 Nov 2000 [Full text]
Don't helmet Remove: Philip Docking
bmj.com, 10 Nov 2000 [Full text]
Understanding the Gains, and Setting Public Policy: Peter Jacobsen
bmj.com, 16 Nov 2000 [Full text]
Possible role for peer pressure in use of cycle helmets: Colin Read
bmj.com, 22 Nov 2000 [Full text]
Reply to critics of bicycle helmet editorial: Frederick P Rivara
bmj.com, 8 Dec 2000 [Full text]
Epidemiology....Do something useful in transport research. Forget about helmets.: Colin Guthrie
bmj.com, 8 Dec 2000 [Full text]
Re: Reply to critics of bicycle helmet editorial: Aedan McGhie
bmj.com, 9 Dec 2000 [Full text]
Re: fatal cyclist casualties: Kate Carpenter
bmj.com, 12 Dec 2000 [Full text]
Re: Reply to critics of bicycle helmet editorial: Dennis Crowley
bmj.com, 20 Dec 2000 [Full text]
Re: Reply to critics of bicycle helmet editorial: Michael R Mott
bmj.com, 24 Feb 2001 [Full text]
When will the medical establishment see the real issue?: M Wardlaw
bmj.com, 25 Jan 2001 [Full text]
The Benefits may outway the risks but watch out for the motorists: Ken Bidgood
bmj.com, 1 May 2001 [Full text]
Re: Reply to critics of bicycle helmet editorial: daniel james keown
bmj.com, 11 Oct 2002 [Full text]