1. Safety: Helmets can significantly reduce the risk of head injuries, brain injuries, and death in the event of a bike crash, skateboard accident, scooter accident, or other types of accidents.**
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), helmets are 85% effective in preventing head injuries and fatalities among cyclists
- A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that the risk of head injury for young cyclists was reduced by 69% when wearing a helmet
2. Setting a good example: By requiring children to wear helmets, we can help to normalize helmet use and set a good example for them that they can carry into adulthood
3. Encouraging active transportation: Making helmet use mandatory can encourage children to participate in active transportation activities (such as biking and scootering)
Arguments against requiring children under the age of 16 to wear helmets:
1. Personal freedom: Some individuals may argue that requiring children to wear helmets infringes on their personal freedom of choice.**
- Critics argue that helmet laws violate individual liberty and personal responsibility
2. Inconvenience: Wearing a helmet may feel uncomfortable or inconvenient while using bicycles and other means of transportation
3. Lack of evidence: Opponents may argue that there is insufficient evidence to demonstrate the effectiveness of mandatory helmet laws
4. Potential negative consequences: There is some concern that mandatory helmet laws can lead to children using bicycles less often, due to the inconvenience associated with wearing a helmet
5. Potential discrimination: Enforcing helmet use by children based on a certain age category might imply some forms of potential discrimination or a lack of equality