When summer arrives, it’s time to hop on your bike and take it for a spin. Summer is the season for cycling. Although it’s easy to leave home without a helmet, the regional health department is reminding cyclists that wearing a helmet is crucial to preventing injuries.

A Parachute Canada report states that helmets can reduce brain injury risk by 88 percent and head injury risk by 85 percent. They can also cut injuries of the upper and middle face by 65 percent.

The department is focusing especially on making sure kids wear helmets. While all ages can sustain injuries while riding a bicycle, according to a 2013 department survey youth between the ages of 10 and 19 are the age group most likely to visit the ER for sports injuries. The department hopes to help children develop the habit of wearing a helmet while they are young so they continue to wear a helmet well into adulthood.

Small communities are also doing what they can to encourage bicycle safety. For example, the Durham Bicycle Fun and Safety Day was created to teach area residents more about bicycle safety. The event brought together parents and children to remind them of the importance of knowing and using safety skills. Organizers of the event wanted to emphasize that the role of parents in cementing kids’ habits is irreplaceable. If a parent wears a helmet, their child is much more likely to follow suit.

To read a complete article and learn more about bicycle safety initiatives, click here.

It’s important to remember that no matter what safety precautions you take, including wearing a helmet, serious accidents and injuries can still happen. If you or a loved one has been injured in a cycling accident, a personal injury lawyer can help you better understand your right to compensation.