Why You Should Always Wear a Helmet

Whether you ride your motorcycle to work each day or take it out on the open road on the weekends, taking 30 seconds to put on a helmet can save your life. You don’t have to take our word for it, though, because we’re going to take a look at some of the most recent data about motorcycle helmets and personal safety in today’s entry.

When you’ve finished reading today’s post, head over to our online store to browse our unparalleled selection of custom chrome motorcycle wheels and other custom motorcycle parts. We’re happy to help you find the right part for your bike, so don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you would like assistance with your order. Read on to learn why a helmet should be a non-negotiable part of your riding outfit!

Recent Motorcycle Helmet Data

As motorcycle enthusiasts ourselves, we know that part of the thrill is having almost nothing between you and the open road. While some US states have mandatory helmet laws, the majority do not. Regardless of whether or not you live in a state with mandatory helmet laws, you significantly improve your chances of surviving an accident if you take the time to invest in a quality helmet and put it on before each and every ride.

We know that some readers may be skeptical about the effectiveness of helmets, so we’ve compiled some of the most recent data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) pertaining to motorcycle helmets and fatalities for your information:

• Survival: A helmet improves your chances of surviving an accident by 37 percent.
• Brain Injuries: Surviving an accident and returning to your everyday life are two completely different things. Brain injuries are some of the most common long-term consequences of motorcycle accidents, and helmets have been estimated to be up to 67 percent effective at preventing them.
• We’re still awaiting the official estimates from 2017, but helmets saved an estimated 1,859 lives in 2016 alone. Given that helmet use increased from 69.8 percent in 2016 to 88.9 percent in 2017, we expect the increase to be significant.
• While a helmet is important no matter when and where you’re riding, it’s particularly important to wear a helmet if you’re riding in heavy traffic. We’re excited to see that more and more riders are wearing helmets in the cities and on highways, as helmet use in heavy traffic increased to 78.5 percent in 2017 from 64 percent in 2016.

How to Choose a Helmet

Riding Style

You have options when it comes to choosing a great helmet. If you tend to ride solo, then you should invest in a high-quality helmet that securely fits your head and provides you with an unobstructed view of the road. Many riders enjoy group outings, however, and there are plenty of high-end helmets that come equipped with technology that allows you to easily communicate with other members in the group. If you enjoy sport or off-road riding, then you may want to invest in a separate helmet designed specifically for the demands of the terrain.

Comfort and Fit

You’ll be wearing your helmet whenever you hit the road, so make sure that you purchase something that fits your head properly and comfortably. Every major manufacturer will have sizing information available online, but it never hurts to go to a local retailer to have your head properly sized and measured. Too much or too little room will compromise the helmet’s effectiveness, so correct measurements are essential.

Safety Ratings

Given that you’re buying a helmet to improve your safety, you’ll want to check every model’s ratings with various agencies. Review the ratings from the US Department of Transportation, the UN Economic Commission for Europe, and Snell, a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing head injuries.

We hope that today’s post will help you improve your personal safety as the year goes on. Keep an eye on our blog page, as we’ll continue to provide you with more safe riding tips and other helpful resources in the coming weeks and months.

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