A recent study on the safety effects of bicycle helmets suggests that wearing a helmet when bicycling is highly recommended. The use of bicycle helmets was found to reduce head injury by 48%, serious head injury by 60%, traumatic brain injury by 53%, and the total number of killed or seriously injured bicyclists by 34%.

Helmet use has been estimated to reduce the odds of a head injury by 50% (IIHS) During research by Virginia Tech and the IIHS, they found that helmets with MIPS technology performed better during safety testing (IIHS) In 2018 just four of the 30 helmets initially tested by Virginia Tech earned 5 stars (IIHS)

A meta-analysis of bicycle helmet efficacy by Attewell, Glase, and McFadden (2001) estimated that bicycle helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 60% and brain injury by 58%. As of January 2024, 22 states, the District of Columbia, and more than 200 localities had bicycle helmet-use laws, according to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute.

Helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 60% and brain injury by 58% 2. Helmet use can lead to a 73% reduction in the risk of fatal injuries 2. Studies estimate that universal helmet use by children ages 4 to 15 could prevent between 135 and 155 deaths annually in the US 2.