Bicycle helmet |
2011 |
| Injuries to cyclist
Out of all fatal accidents, as many as 80 % involve brain damage which results from a severe blow to the head. Also permanent disablement is a result of brain damage. With regards to adults, head injuries usually occur as one hits the road; with children, the injuries often involve slamming into a car. Damage to the limbs is even more common than damage to the head, but limb injuries are not as severe as head trauma. Collisions are always serious. Two-thirds of the collisions involve a car. As a cyclist is caught in front of a car, the collision is severe even if collision speed is usually less than 50 km/h. |
Law on bicycle helmet use
The cyclist as well as the bicycle passenger must use an appropriate protective helmet during drive. Helmet use |
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| Helmet requirements
All helmets on the market must meet the European standard EN 1078.
Without shock absorption a model head may be subject to 1,000 g acceleration, in extreme cases. |
Children’s helmets
For pre-school children there is a helmet which features the so-called emergency opening mechanism. If a child’s helmet gets caught in e.g. playground equipment - and the child is left hanging from the helmet - the child’s weight will automatically open the lock of the helmet. Emergency mechanism features a green colour (standard EN 1080:97). If a child’s helmet does not have a lock that opens automatically, the helmet should be taken off before e.g. climbing activities.
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Liikenneturva |