Connecticut Bicycle Helmet Safety Regulation
Each year, tens of thousands of bicycle riders tour the scenic and relatively flat coastal roads of Fairfield, Westport, Darien, Stamford and Greenwich, Connecticut. In addition, while school is out, many of the cyclists on these roads are children, who are less experienced, and not nearly as visible as adults while they ride. As a result, children are at greater risk of serious personal injuries while riding their bicycles on the roads, sidewalks and other areas where there are cars moving about.
In a prior article, Injury Prevention Bulletin, I wrote about the World Health Organization report on the number of accidental deaths of children. One of their top suggestions for reducing that shocking number of serious injuries to and death of children was to regularly use bicycle helmets.
In an effort to reduce the severity of accidents when they do occur, Connecticut, has a strict (Bicycle Helmet law: CGS section 14-286b) which requires all riders under age 15 to wear an approved helmet. This Connecticut helmet law (one of only 22 states that have one at all), appropriately holds parents accountable for ensuring compliance. To determine if a helmet is "approved," look for a label referencing either American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or the Snell Memorial Foundation's Standard for Protective Headgear for Use in Bicycling/ and click on "certified helmets" under "Find Out."
Having three young children, all of whom ride, I, too wear a helmet at all times, even when just cruising in our driveway. This consistent use of a helmet is not only an example for my kids, but has, on at least one occasion, saved me, a former triathlete and bicycle racer, form a potentially serious injury. While exiting my own driveway, I had a mechanical malfunction, which caused my bike to come to an unexpected stop, pitching me over the handlebars so suddenly I had no chance to make any mid-flight adjustment to protect myself. I landed squarely on my head, which was fortunately covered by a good helmet. While I was certainly surprised, and embarrassed, I was also relieved not to have been hurt, at all, despite cracking the top of the helmet.
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