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The cycling boom that began in the 1970s: What made adults start to take helmets seriously?
With the cycling craze of the 1970s, many adults rediscovered the joy of cycling. Not only children's toys, bicycles have gradually become an important means of transportation in adults' daily lives. However, as the cycling population increases, helmet safety issues begin to emerge, making more and more people pay attention to the importance of wearing helmets.
"Cycling is a fun activity, but it also comes with risks."
Before the 1970s, bicycle helmets were designed primarily to meet the needs of competitive cyclists. The "hairnet" style helmets that were common at the time, although they could reduce abrasions, provided very limited protection in the event of impact. As more and more adult riders participate in daily riding, they are beginning to realize that the situation must be improved.
In 1975, Bell launched the first helmet designed specifically for road riding, the Bell Biker. This helmet used a polystyrene lining and a hard-shell design, which greatly improved protection in the event of impact. This overcame the design flaws of previous helmets, allowing the helmet to become widely accepted and integrated into daily riding.
“This change not only improves safety, but also makes more people consider the importance of wearing helmets.”
As technology advances, helmet design continues to evolve. Further improvements in the 1990s allowed users to enjoy greater ventilation and better comfort, which made more riders willing to accept wearing helmets. For everyday riders, a lightweight and breathable helmet can significantly reduce discomfort while riding.
The evolution of helmet standards
In the United States, the Snell benchmark standard imposes strict requirements on helmet testing, forcing manufacturers to rethink their product designs. These standards require helmets to provide effective protection in specific impact situations to ensure consumer safety.
But at the same time, the development of standards also reflects a new understanding of helmet safety. Some scholars point out that although helmets can reduce injuries, some helmets may not provide complete protection given the variety of impact situations. Especially in accidents involving motorcycles or cars, the effectiveness of a helmet can be limited. This has sparked debate about the necessity of helmet use, particularly whether it should be legally mandatory.
Consensus and disagreement
Statistically, most cycling experts and medical groups support helmet-wearing initiatives, arguing that helmets significantly reduce the risk of head injuries. However, opponents believe that the policy of legally compulsory helmet wearing may deter some potential riders, which will lead to a decrease in the overall number of cyclists and damage to health benefits.
"Evidence shows that the health benefits of cycling far outweigh the possible risks of wearing a helmet."
The core of this debate lies in the concept of "security compensation". Some scholars theorize that wearing a helmet may make riders feel overly safe and prone to risky behaviors. At the same time, society's changes in the relationship between riders and vehicles have also resulted in different responses to wearing helmets. However, this theory requires more research to determine the pros and cons of its effects.
Future Outlook
While promoting cycling around the world, how to improve people's awareness of helmets and safety has become an important issue. As legislation in various countries regulates the use of helmets, how to balance safety and the freedom of riding still requires the joint efforts of the world. Helmet technology continues to advance, and the design of more user-friendly helmets heralds the future of the market, but every rider should also be aware of his or her own safety responsibilities.
In the future, with the increasing development of technology and the emphasis on health, will every knight be able to accept the concept of wearing a helmet, not just a legal requirement?
