How many motorcycle riders wear helmets?
While most motorcyclists are now sensibly strapping on a DOT-approved helmet before taking to the road, there are still too many out there who are not. After all, we would not take our bikes out on the road without oil in the engine, and the human head is far more important and delicate than any machine. It is not easily repaired, either, so we should have the same attitude toward our safety, at a minimum. Even the most experienced and skilled bikers can be the victim of another road user's momentary absent-mindedness, however vigilant we may try to be. A well-made, quality helmet tips the odds in our favor should things go wrong.
The facts and figures are at the heart of it
According to NHTSA sources, more than 5,500 people died in motorcycle accidents on the nation's roads in 2020. In addition, more than 180,000 people had injuries that required treatment in a hospital emergency room. [1] These figures include riders and their passengers and only apply to accidents on public roads. This translates to 67.08 deaths per 100,000 bikers. Clearly, one death is one too many.
These are not insignificant numbers, and in addition to the human cost, the financial impact of this is considerable. A study carried out by the U.S. Department of Transportation in 2017 found that motorcycle helmets had saved an estimated 1,872 lives and could have prevented the deaths of a further 749 people if the riders had worn helmets. [2] The financial impact of this was estimated to be $1.5 billion when considering factors such as emergency medical costs and longer-term medical costs, along with lost productivity, extra insurance costs, and damage to property.
Another thing to account for is the extra burden on hospitals and the healthcare system for riders who possibly wouldn't be there if they had worn a helmet. The statistics clearly show that when the percentage of riders wearing helmets dropped, often because of changes of state laws, fatalities and injuries rose.
Clear evidence
Similar to the use of seatbelts in cars, the evidence is overwhelmingly clear that wearing a DOT-approved helmet, such as this Twister 2.0, reduces the risk of death and serious or life-changing injury in the event of an accident. A motorcycle is already inherently less safe than a car, especially a modern car with its multiple airbags and crumple zones. A biker does not benefit from that type of protection, so they should do all they can to minimize these inherent risks, starting with wearing a DOT-approved helmet.
The first mandated law applicable to all bikers requiring the use of crash helmets throughout an entire country was in Australia, and it was enacted in legislation as early as 1961. Death and injury rates steadily fell there after its introduction. The European Union and the United Kingdom followed suit a decade or so after this. Japan is currently deciding whether to mandate helmets for bicycle users to match its existing mandate for bikers.
Despite all of this evidence from around the world supporting the life-saving power of helmets, figures suggest that around 30% of bikers still go without a helmet nationwide, while roughly another 6% ride with non-DOT-approved helmets on. It is worth checking that your existing helmet is DOT-approved. If not, an upgrade is in order. By law, all helmets sold specifically as motorcycle helmets in the U.S. must be DOT-approved.
The Microdot way
The modern use of lightweight and composite materials such as fiberglass, ABS, and carbon fiber is now common in motorcycle helmet manufacturing. These high-tech materials can provide strength without the weight of early helmets or the need for excessive padding inside, so there is no reason that a safe helmet needs to be cumbersome or a burden to the rider. Our helmets sit snugly and comfortably on the head but are not heavy or intrusive in a way that many other helmets are.
The straps have been designed with safety, comfort and ease of use in mind. For a truly lightweight helmet, check out our baseball-style options, such as this MicroLid Curve, weighing in at only 0.9 pounds. These sleek, clean-looking, open-faced helmets come in a range of modern colors and let you keep that wind-in-the-face, open-road experience while at the same time offering full DOT-approved protection.
The lightweight design means that these helmets can be easily stowed when you are off the bike, and if you have a passenger, that is doubly important. They are available in a range of sizes from 2x small to 2x large, to ensure a comfortable fit for any head. You will hardly know it's there until you need it.
We have a comprehensive guide to sizing and measuring and even a quick quiz to help guide you through the process of choosing the perfect helmet for you.
Keep in mind that a helmet should not be worn again after it has been involved in an accident as the structure could be compromised. For customers in the U.S., we offer a free replacement helmet if you go down in one of ours. You just pay the shipping costs.
Safety with a unique style with DOT-approved helmets from Microdot.
Anecdotal evidence seems to suggest that a lot of bikers are resistant to the idea of starting to wear a helmet simply because of how they look. The dreaded mushroom look is often cited, and a full-faced helmet will certainly stop you from being seen when out and about on your prized machine. For plenty of bikers, a motorcycle is not just a means of transport or a machine to get you from point A to B. It's a lifestyle, a great American tradition stretching back decades, and an identity.
Think about cruising. It is all about being seen, showing off your ride, and living life with some style. It's hard to do that with your head stuck inside a big bowl. That's where Microdot helmets come in. Choose the perfect helmet from our range to complement your style, whether it's the unique, reversible, peaked Twister Style with its cool matte black finish, a classic beanie style with a modern carbon fiber effect finish, or even an ultra-cool German-style Micro Dot Mayhem for those seeking the Mad Max vibe. The choice is yours. Don't be a statistic; be safe and stand out from the crowd. Let's put the style back into biking. Stylish riding can still mean safe riding.
Resources;
[1] https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812867
[2] https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/calculator/factsheet/mchelmet.html