Bicycling is great exercise. In fact, riding your bike for an hour at a steady pace can burn up to 533 calories for a 140-pound individual. However, it's important to keep safety precautions in mind when you go for a ride. Most people don't even consider wearing a helmet when they go for a leisurely bike ride. But it can prevent serious injuries. According to the BHSI, 540,000 bicyclists visit the ER with injuries every year. One in eight of these people suffers a brain injury. Ironically, between 45 to 88 percent of these injuries can be prevented with a helmet. Cyclists not wearing helmets are 14 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than their helmet-wearing counterparts. And if you think helmets are child's play, that's not the case. The average age of the bicyclist killed on the highway is 40.
The helmet needs to have a layer of foam to cushion the blow if you are hit with an impact. Most headgear is made with crushed, expanded polystyrene foam. If it's spongy foam inside the helmet, it may be comfortable, but it won't protect your bean. Equally important as the protective foam is the strap and buckle that keeps it on your head. When fastened, you should not be able to maneuver the helmet off through twisting or pulling. The helmet should also be level on your head and cover a good area of it. Before purchasing a helmet, make sure that it has the US Consumer Product Safety Commission standard sticker on it. Before you ride, use your noggin and wear a helmet.