“Wearing a properly fitted helmet when cycling reduces the risk of serious head injury by 70%”
Hello,
Have you spotted the new adverts around Brighton & Hove encouraging cyclists to wear helmets? You may have seen posters on lampposts, bus shelters or local social media — they’re part of the new Cycling Safely initiative, aimed at reducing head injuries and making every ride safer for everyone in our city.
🧠 Why helmets are more than just “nice to have”
When a cycling crash happens, much of the danger comes from the head striking a surface, or rapid deceleration causing the brain to move inside the skull. A helmet acts like a buffer — it absorbs and spreads out some of that impact energy, reducing peak forces on the skull and brain. This can:
- Lower the risk of skull fractures
- Reduce bleeding inside the brain (e.g. subdural, epidural hematomas)
- Mitigate focal damage (bruising, contusions)
- Help prevent widespread secondary injury from brain swelling or pressure
In simpler terms: in many crashes where a helmet is worn, the difference can be between a hospital stay and a lifelong brain injury.
✅ What the campaign is asking you to do
- Always wear a properly fitting helmet — even for short journeys or quiet roads
- Check that your helmet meets recognised safety standards (e.g. EN 1078 in the UK / Europe)
- Replace your helmet after a crash or if it’s damaged
- Share the campaign — the more cyclists think about helmets, the safer we all become.
For more information on cycling safely in Brighton & Hove, visit the Brighton & Hove City Council’s Cycling Safely page: https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/parking-and-travel/cycling-safely
Thank you for helping make our community safer for all cyclists.
Kind Regards
The Headway Sussex Team
