In my opinion, implementing compulsory helmet-wearing has been one of a number of successful road safety measures that have brought down the toll of road deaths and injuries.
From when we first began manufacturing cycle helmets in 1986 to when we stopped around 2003, we made more than 1 million helmets, and we have letters from people all over the world, recording the fact that one of our helmets saved their life.
Unbelievable as it may seem now, back in the 1980s there were annual cycling deaths as high as 33, with well over 1000 recorded injuries each year.
Last year, by comparison, the number of deaths were 10 - still bad enough - and injuries were down to 731. The year with the lowest deaths was 2003 when six people died, but if we look at the yearly statistics, there is a clear trend that the effect of wearing cycle helmets is extremely beneficial.
Some might say one explanation for fewer deaths is the fact that fewer young people are riding bikes to school - much fewer than when I did - but, on the other hand, many people ride for recreation, and there are huge numbers of competitive sports cyclists, all wearing helmets. Even the Tour de France now requires helmets worn.
In the late 1980s, Rebecca Oaten from Palmerston North began visiting schools to encourage young people to wear cycle helmets after her son, Aaron, was seriously injured falling off his bike.
A group of like-minded people joined her and formed the "Protect the Brains Trust", and our company helped by offering a Standards-certified cycle helmet that school committees could sell for just $30. This programme was enormously successful and overcame the early reluctance of some bike shop retailers to sell helmets. It also led to the Government making wearing a helmet compulsory by late 1993.
That was a frantic production year for us, but we all owe a lot to Rebecca for the safety campaign she initiated. Personally, being part of this reduction of death and injuries from such a pleasurable pastime gives me a great deal of satisfaction.
Some advice for those looking at cycling helmets now. Bike helmets should be replaced every five years, as the polystyrene liners get harder as they age and may provide less impact protection. I still see helmets in use that we made more than 20 years ago, and this concerns me. When buying a helmet, make sure you look for a reliable Standards label inside. In my opinion, the CE label is not a reliable Standard, as there is no batch control or testing of helmets immediately after production. The best and most reliable Standard label is the AS/NZS 2063.2 since, while these helmets may have been manufactured in Asia, there will be batch controls, regular testing and audited manufacturing processes.
Finally, make sure the helmet is properly adjusted. I frequently see helmets being worn well back on the head possibly as a fashion statement. You might as well not wear it, as it's the front and temple areas that need the most protection. Adjust the chin and nape strap up to ensure the helmet is firmly in place.
- David Bennett is executive chairman of Pacific Safety International, Whanganui.
