Head injuries in cyclists in England have fallen as helmet use has increased

Serious head injuries in cyclists have fallen significantly over a period of increasing helmet use, suggesting that helmets are protective. Cook and Sheikh (p 1055) analysed all emergency admissions in England in 1991-95: 3% were for injuries sustained while cycling. A third of these had a primary diagnosis of head injury. Half of these were in children. Although there was no change in the number of cyclists admitted as emergencies over the four years studied, the number with head injuries fell by 12%. The authors say that this indicates that helmets are beneficial.


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Relevant Article

Trends in serious head injuries among cyclists in England: analysis of routinely collected data
Adrian Cook and Aziz Sheikh
BMJ 2000 321: 1055. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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