Neurosurgeons Discuss What You Should Know About Bike Safety

Newswise — "Be hard-headed; helmets save lives," according to the new public education campaign from the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS). Each year, an estimated 1,000 people die from bicycle-related injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Bike safety is a topic of interest during the First Annual Neurosurgery Awareness Week from May 1 to May 6 during the 72nd Annual Meeting of the AANS in Orlando, Florida.

Helmets are especially crucial for children, who fall off their bikes, get hit by cars, crash into other riders, and otherwise are more likely to take a tumble than older riders. Children under 15 years old sustain the highest injury and death rates among bicycle riders. Far too often the injuries are the worst kind. Eighty percent of children who suffer multiple injuries sustain brain injuries.

Some people believe that helmets are too clunky, heavy, hot, and don't look stylish when riding. Today's helmets, however, are sleek, lightweight, lined with ventilation holes, and fit comfortably on the head. Best of all, today's helmets offer vital protection. The hard shell absorbs the impact instead of the brain. A second line of defense for the brain is the soft but durable interior liner.

"Helmets on children are often the difference between a fall that results in only a scraped knee and a fall that causes a fatal blow to the brain," said neurosurgeon Alex B. Valadka, MD, of Houston, a member of the AANS.

While wearing a helmet is crucial, a helmet itself is not enough to ensure safety. The helmet must meet safety standards. Since 1999, all bike helmets manufactured or imported in the United States must be approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. For information on recalls, call the National Safe Kids Campaign at (202) 662-0600 or visit the Web site of the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute at www.helmets.org/recalls.htm.

Bicyclists also must follow basic safety rules to protect themselves against injury. Be sure to use a bicycle that is the right size. Concentrate on riding and staying in control, and use hand signals for turns. Make sure the handlebars, pedals, brakes, and chains are in good working order. In addition, remember to wear brightly colored clothing or jackets with reflector strips.

Bike riding is meant to be fun and healthy, not an occasion for injury and death. Ride cautiously while on the bike3⁄4and strap on a helmet before you start pedaling.

For more information on traumatic brain injury, visit the American Association of Neurological Surgeons' public Web site at http://www.NeurosurgeryToday.org, or for more information on bike safety, visit the Web site for Think First National Injury Prevention Foundation at http://www.thinkfirst.org.

Founded in 1931 as the Harvey Cushing Society, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) is a scientific and educational association with more than 6,500 members worldwide. The AANS is dedicated to advancing the specialty of neurological surgery in order to provide the highest quality of neurosurgical care to the public. All active members of the AANS are certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (Neurosurgery) of Canada or the Mexican Council of Neurological Surgery, AC. Neurological surgery is the medical specialty concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of disorders that affect the entire nervous system including the spinal column, spinal cord, brain and peripheral nerves.