More cyclists wearing helmets goal of Alberta injury prevention researcher

On any given day along the bike path nearEast Village, you'll see dozens of cyclists with their nogginsnestledsafely into a helmet.

There aredozens more who ride without that protection something a local injury prevention researcher would like to see change.

BrentHagelwith the Alberta Children's Hospitalsaid helmets reduce therisk of a head injury by about 70per cent.

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Hagelsaidthere was a sharp increase in helmet use when legislation was introduced for riders under 18 in 2002.

He'd like to see the same rules for adults.

"We know that we have compelling evidence for a strong benefit of helmet use to protect against head injuries," Hagel said.

"That benefit really goes across all age groups and a variety of crash circumstances."

'A lot of things come before helmets'

Some say they've simply outgrown them.Andrew Coppin-Brittonsaidhe hasn't worn a helmet since he was a kid.

"When you're younger you have this thing instilled by your parents that's like, 'yeah I need to be safe, I need to be stable, like I need to have some sort of protection otherwise... I'm going to fall and I'm going to hurt myself,'"hesaid.

It's not the only reasonCoppin-Brittoncites for notwearing a helmet. He said that as a low-income earner with a young son, he simply can't afford one.

"A lot of things come before helmets, I guess," he said.

Ripple effect

Hagel saidchildren will also benefit from more adults cycling with a helmet.

"We know that there's evidence that when parents are wearing helmets, the children are more likely to wear helmets. So you can establish those good safety practices early with your kids,"Hagelsaid.

According to the Canadian Community Health Survey, 42 per cent of Canadians older than 12 always wore a helmet in 2013/2014. However, 46 per cent of adults between age 20 and 34 said they never wore a helmet when riding.