Dc. Thompson et Mq. Patterson, CYCLE HELMETS AND THE PREVENTION OF INJURIES - RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COMPETITIVE SPORT, Sports medicine, 25(4), 1998, pp. 213-219
The scientific evidence that bicycle helmets protect against head, bra
in and facial injuries has been well established by 5 well designed ca
se-control studies. Additional evidence of helmet effectiveness has be
en provided from time series studies in Australia and the US. Bicycle
helmets of all types that meet various national and international stan
dards provide substantial protection for cyclists of all ages who are
involved in a bicycle crash. This protection extends to crashes from a
variety of causes (such as ails and collisions with fixed and moving
objects) and includes crashes involving motor vehicles. Helmet use red
uces the risk of head injury by 85%, brain injury by 88% and severe br
ain injury by at least 75%. Helmets should be worn by all riders wheth
er the cyclist is a recreational rider or a serious competitor engaged
in training or race competition. The International Cycling Federation
(ICF) should make the use of helmets compulsory in all sanctioned rac
es.