Prevent brain injuries with bike helmets

Editor:
I was dismayed to read orthopedic surgeon Dr. Michael Brown’s comment in the Living Healthy column 2 weeks ago, “You can ride a bike without a helmet,” in reference to how wonderful Sonoma is for outdoor exercise. As a physical therapist who treats people with brain injury, I can’t say enough about the importance of wearing a bike helmet. In fact, California requires helmets for children under 18 while riding bicycles, scooters, skateboards and inline skates. Yet everyday I am disappointed to witness children without helmets riding bikes in Sonoma.
Although the law does not have this requirement for adults, research shows that bike helmets significantly reduce the risk of head and brain injury. (One study showed risk reduction by 74-85%.). The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends: 1) Bicycle helmets should be worn by all persons (i.e., bicycle operators and passengers) at any age when bicycling. 2) Bicycle riders should wear helmets wherever and whenever they ride a bicycle. 3) Bicycle helmets should meet the standards of the ANSI, the Snell Memorial Foundation, or ASTM. 4) To effectively increase helmet-use rates, states and communities must implement programs that include legislation, education and promotion, enforcement, and program evaluation.
For information on Sonoma County bike safety and free helmet programs: http://www.sctransit.com/bikesafe/bikes.htm
So, yes, get out on your bike and get exercise, but be smart and wear your helmet, and make your kid use one, too!