Citation

Lippi G, Mattiuzzi C. Br. J. Sports Med. 2004; 38(3): 364.

Affiliation

Universita di Verona, Verona, Italy.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

15155450

PMCID

PMC1724836

Abstract

Cycling related injuries, especially those to the head, are common causes of morbidity, death, and disability and could largely be prevented by the proper use of hard shell helmets. Unfortunately, obvious evidence is often not acknowledged, and the use of such a valuable preventive measure has been too long ignored. Media coverage of elite competitions, showing most athletes racing without helmets, has unfavourably influenced amateur and young cyclists for a long time. However, owing to the progressive increase in severe and fatal injuries, especially involving elite cyclists, and the evidence that the outcome of most of these tragedies might have been prevented the International Cycling Union announced that, from 5 May 2003, it is mandatory to wear a hard shell helmet in elite men's events for classes 4 and above. (More)