The South West Injury Prevention Network has created the TheyWill2 website to encourage parents and caregivers to role model bike helmets:
According to a 2015 Ontario Injury Compass report, 589 Ontario children under the age of 14 years old, the equivalent of 23 classrooms of children, suffered a head injury from bicycling in 2010/2011.
Falls account for 85% of bicycle-related injury but research shows that a properly fitted helmet reduces the risk of a traumatic head injury by 85%. In other words, the risk of a traumatic brain injury to cyclists is largely preventable.
Role modelling is one way adults can help reduce traumatic brain injury in children by making helmet use the norm. When parents, grandparents and caregivers wear a bike helmet they're showing a child that safety is important. Make bicycle helmets a non-negotiable family rule and wear a helmet every time you ride your bicycle.
For information on bicycle safety visit www.theywill2.ca.