A good helmet is the number one priority for bicycle riders

Whether you use it for work or play, riding a bicycle may feel very freeing. Pedaling down the street at your own pace is a lot more fun than sitting in traffic in your car – especially in these warm summer months.

Despite the freedom cycling makes you feel, there should be one restriction: a helmet. You need to know exactly how risky it is to ride without head protection and what kind you should have.

Most fatalities occur when riders don’t wear helmets

Vancouver has the highest rate of bicycle accidents of any ranked Canadian city: around 1,500 for every 100,000 cyclists. Victims who do not wear helmets are three times more likely to suffer death in such accidents. Fatal accidents are even more common for cyclists under the age of 20 who do not wear helmets.

The message here is clear: riders with helmets consistently survive crashes more often. But are all helmets equally protective?

How do you know if a helmet is good for you?

A cheap helmet is better than no helmet at all – but some helmets are better in their protection and fit. To get the perfect helmet for your head, you should:

• Invest in a high-quality helmet with newer technology – WaveCel or MIPS Brain Protection System
• Make sure it is comfortable – you may have to wear it for long periods of time
• Get a helmet that fits snugly and doesn’t shift around too much
• Replace your helmet if you fall and hit it on something – even if it doesn’t look broken

A good helmet can reduce the chance of a serious head injury by almost 70%. Wearing a helmet may not be as fun, but the increased safety is always worth it.

If you or a loved one was injured on your bicycle in an accident with a car – whether you had a helmet on or not – a personal injury lawyer may be able to help you hold the driver responsible.