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Child Helmet Laws: Many other everyday activities would benefit more from helmets than cycling

The benefits of helmets in reducing injury are greatly overstated

Helmet laws can make it a crime for children to take part in a healthy activity

Children are much more likely to suffer head injury as pedestrians, or through jumping or falling [1], than when cycling.
6 times more pedestrians and 18 times more motor vehicle occupants suffer lethal head injuries than cyclists [2].
Helmets for car occupants, including children, are more effective than those for cyclists and have greater potential for reducing injury [3].

The benefits of helmets in reducing injury are greatly overstated

Helmet laws can make it a crime for children to take part in a healthy activity

References
[1] O'Rourke NA, Costello F, Yelland JDN, Stuart GG. Head injuries to children riding bicycles. Medical Journal of Australia, 1987;146:619-621.
[2] Kennedy A. The pattern of injury in fatal pedal cycle accidents and the possible benefits of cycle helmets. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 1996 Jun;30(2):130-3.
[3] McLean AJ, Fildes BN, Kloeden CN, Digges KH, Anderson RWG, Moore VM. Prevention of head injuries to car occupants: an investigation of interior padding options. Federal Office of Road Safety, Report CR160 .

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