Should Helmets Be Optional When Riding a Bik

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Should Helmets Be Optional When Riding A Bike? In South Australia and in many other Australian States it is compulsory to wear a helmet, a safety device designed to protect the rider’s head in the event that the rider falls when riding their bicycle. This law was introduced in 1990 to help reduce the number of deaths and head injuries as a result of bicycle accidents. In 2011, 562 cyclists were injured on South Australian roads, including 3 deaths. There is a lot of research that supports the benefits of wearing this safety device yet many riders don’t use them and in many countries around the world it is not compulsory to wear bicycle helmets when riding a bicycle. Given the opposing views around the benefits of the use of bicycle safety helmets it raises the question, should helmets be optional when riding a bike? A helmet has three key elements, a shell, a liner, and a buckle and straps. These days a helmet is constructed of a lightweight plastic, Lexan or fibreglass outer shell which varies in thicknesses depending on the users preference, a thick protective liner made out of stiff polystyrene Styrofoam, this is a non-springy foam that does not bounce back at your head. Then an inner liner, which is just, spongy foam added for comfort but absorbs very little shock in a life threating crash. The density and thickness of a liner is a critical factor in the amount of energy the head will be able to absorb. Helmets also have vents to let your head breath and a strap made out of nylon or polypropylene with a plastic or nylon buckle attached to it, to help the helmet stay on your head incase you hit a hard surface more than once. Some helmets have extras such as, lights so you can see at night and everyone can see you, reflectors so people can see you, and a detachable visor to help keep the sun off your face. Helmets also come in many styles, colour and graphic
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