When riding your e-bike in Connecticut, it’s important to wear a helmet and other safety gear. Doing so can help to reduce your risk of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that reduce your quality of life now and in the future. However, one study found that helmet use among e-bike users has dropped in recent years while instances of head trauma have increased.
What the research says
According to a study published in JAMA Surgery, helmet use fell by 6% each year between 2017 and 2022. In that same time period, reports of e-bike riders seeking hospital care for traumatic brain injuries and similar types of ailments increased by a factor of 49. In 2022, there were 8,000 such reports. Overall, the study found that 56% of those who were injured on an e-bike were not wearing a helmet.
How researchers reached their conclusions
The team that published the study based their conclusions on data from National Electronic Injury Surveillance System. Doing so allowed them to conclude that there were roughly 46,000 children and adults who went to the hospital with injuries from riding e-bikes between 2017 and 2022.
What can be done about this trend
Researchers say that cities and smaller localities should look into policies that encourage helmet use while riding a bike. They also suggest that riders receive more education about how to ride e-bikes, which are different than a typical bike. However, despite the risks surrounding e-bike use, those involved with the study acknowledge that it provides an accessible and environmentally friendly mode of transportation. It can also help individuals get more exercise, which has a number of potential health benefits.
In addition to riding a bike, TBIs can also occur after a hard landing while playing a sport, a car accident or during a fight. If you are injured because of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for hospital bills or other damages. Ideally, you’ll seek medical treatment immediately after striking your head as delaying care may cause greater damage to your brain.
