American Academy of Pediatrics Bicycling remains one of the most
popular recreational sports among children in American and is
the leading cause of recreational sports injuries treated in
emergency departments. An estimated 23000 children younger than
21 years sustained head injuries (excluding the face) while
bicycling in 1998. The bicycle helmet is a very effective device
that can prevent the occurrence of up to 88% of serious brain
injuries. Despite this, most children do not wear a helmet each
time they ride a bicycle, and adolescents are particularly
resistant to helmet use. Recently, a group of national experts
and government agencies renewed the call for all bicyclists to
wear helmets. This policy statement describes the role of the
pediatrician in helping attain universal helmet use among
children and teens for each bicycle ride.