Every cyclist in the city should be wearing helmets says an official with the health unit.
The call comes after a recent study by the University of Manitoba showing provinces with mandatory helmet laws have a higher compliance rate. Currently only cyclists under 18 are required to wear a helmet in Ontario. Marita Campbell, a public health nurse for injury prevention with the Thunder Bay District Health unit, said the law should cover everyone regardless of age. Risk of head injury doesn’t stop when a person turns 18 she said.
"We all have a brain and that’s something that doesn’t change I think we’re really missing the whole point," she said.
Campbell said studies show wearing a helmet can reduce head trauma by 85 per cent and brain injury by 88 per cent. While it’s currently up to the adult cyclist whether or not to wear a helmet, Campbell doesn’t understand why anyone would want to take a risk by not wearing one.
"At this point in time it is your choice but look at the statistics it’s just common sense if you know that you have an 88 per cent less chance of having a severe brain injury by wearing it why would you make the choice not too," she said. "You don’t predict when a collision is going to happen."
Thunder Bay Cycling Club president Dave Pinner said his club has had a mandatory helmet policy for at least as long as he’s been a member. He said it’s unfortunate how many adult cyclist in the city don’t wear helmets.
"Obviously we’re big advocates of it (a mandatory law)," he said. "For us it’s a no-brainer whether you’re riding for speed or even if you’re just riding around in a parking lot accidents happen and you can fall off you r bike in the blink of an eye and if you hit your head that could be it for you."
Pinner said just this past weekend he and a friend were cycling when his friend lost control and crashed leading to a minor concussion. With the helmet shattered, Pinner said his friend could have sustained far worse injuries if he hadn’t been wearing his helmet.
"If it hadn’t of been for his helmet he might have suffered a worse fate," he said.
While some argue that helmets are too hot or cumbersome, Pinner said helmets are so well designed now that there’s no excuse for not wearing one.
"The helmets on the market now are so light, they’ve got so much venting and they’re so breathable that you hardly notice that it’s there when you’re wearing it so it really shouldn’t be a problem for people," he said.
