Cycling head injuries down in Canada but helmet use still moderate
Cycling wounds still number one summer sport/recreation injury
The Canadian Institute for Health Information has released a report on cycling injuries and helmet use, determining that bicycle-related head injuries have dropped from 907 to 665 per year over an eight year period due in part to the increased use of helmets. An interesting companion statistic is that 78% of cyclists needing treatment in a trauma centre weren’t wearing helmets at the time of their crash.
In numbers that have stayed steady throughout the eight year study period, 4300 Canadians per year were admitted to hospitals for treatment of cycling injuries. CIHI points out that cycling injuries are the most common sport/recreation wounds of the summer, with harm from ATV accidents fast approaching cycling’s dubious distinction. The institute’s studies indicate that you reduce your chances of getting a head injury by 85% by wearing a helmet.
Statistics Canada reported in 2010 that only in the four provinces where helmets are mandatory for adults do more than 50% of adults wear them: Nova Scotia (68%), B.C. (61%), P.E.I. (54%), New Brunswick (53%). There are currently more provincial helmet laws for riders under 18 years of age than for adults.
