·         There are 73 to 85 million bicycle riders in the US, including 44.7 million over age of 6 who rode more than six times in 2008.

·         About 540,000 bicyclists visit emergency rooms with injuries every year. Of those, about 67,000 have head injuries, and 27,000 have injuries serious enough to be hospitalized.

·         Non-helmeted riders are 14 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than helmeted riders.

·         Head injuries account for more than 60 percent of bicycle-related deaths, more than two-thirds of bicycle-related hospital admissions and about one-third of hospital emergency room visits for bicycling injuries.

·         A very high percentage of cyclists' brain injuries can be prevented by a helmet, estimated at anywhere from 45 to 88 per cent.

·         Direct costs of cyclists' injuries due to not using helmets are estimated at $81 million each year, rising with health care costs.

·         Indirect costs of cyclists' injuries due to not using helmets are estimated at $2.3 billion each year.

·         Helmet use in the US varies greatly in different areas and different sectors of our society. White collar commuters probably reach 80 per cent, while inner city kids and rural kids would be 10 per cent or less. Overall, our best wild guess is probably no more than 25 per cent.

When you ride in car with a teenager behind the wheel, do you make sure he or she buckles the seat belt, and do you do the same? If you do, you’re a good role model.

Should it be any different when you and your kids go for a bicycle ride? You insist they wear their bike helmets, but do you do the same? It’s an opportunity to set an example by being a positive role model.

Too many parents fail to set an example by wearing their own helmets and give all kinds of excuses for not doing so. "It doesn’t go with my hair." "I forgot it this time." "I couldn’t find mine." "I don’t have one." "I’m not going far."

Parents should also teach their children how to wear a helmet properly. It should not be pushed back on the head, exposing the forehead. The helmet should set right above the eyebrows and the straps should make a snug "Y" below each ear for it to be effective. Proper fitting is essential.

When it comes to bicycle helmets, remember the saying, "One and done." That means when a helmet has been in a crash, it needs to be replaced because it cannot provide protection in the future.

Bike shops normally stock a variety of cycling helmets, for both children and adults. Most bike shops have trained staff that to assist you and you family in getting a proper fitting helmet. Helmet safety is monitored by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Be sure that the helmet you select meets the CPSC safety standards.