A helmet a cyclist can count on to protect against head injury in
an accident - CHOICE # 379 (May 14, 2008)
PDF version
A cyclist without a bicycle helmet is
recklessly courting for injury - whether on a busy city
thoroughfare or on a quiet rural path.
For every year in the past 8 years
between 2000 and 2007, there were more than 1,000 road traffic
accidents involving bicycles. That is a frightening average of
nearly 4 accidents every day throughout a year.
If you are to entrust your safety to
a bicycle helmet which could effectively reduce the risk of head
injury, it is crucial that the helmet you wear can be relied on to
offer adequate protection in times of need.
With this objective in mind, the
Consumer Council has put 6 models to a comparative test to assess
their performance on shock absorption, effectiveness and strength
of the retention system (to prevent against pull-off from the
head), ventilation (to provide comfort) and ease of use.
Much to the relief of cyclists, all
samples were found to possess good shock absorption upon impact
indicating that the head could be well protected.
Other aspects such as adequate
fitting against pull-off and ventilation were equally
satisfactory.
On ease of use, 2 samples were found
to be fitted with thinner pads rendering them less comfortable than
the others.
The environmental and health impact
was also assessed - no significant release of VOC (volatile organic
compounds) or excessive level of organotin compounds and azo dyes
were found with the samples.
All cyclists, especially children,
are strongly advised to wear a bicycle helmet whenever riding a
bicycle for protection against unforeseeable accidents.
Further, when buying a helmet
consider those with bright colours; night riders might also
consider helmets with light-reflective patterns or flashy LEDs.
Never buy or wear one with visible dents, cracks or known to have
been used in an accident.
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