Bike sharing programs–which allow cyclists to share a variety of bikes without purchasing them–are becoming increasingly popular across the country, particularly in urban areas. These programs are great for casual cyclists or those new to cycling. However, a recent study indicates that over 80% of those using these programs do not wear a bicycle helmet, according to MyHealthNewsDaily.com. This statistic is disturbing considering the magnitude of the risks associated with cycling without a helmet. “Head injury accounts for about a third of all bicycle injuries and about three-quarters of bicycle related deaths, so these are some pretty shocking numbers,” says Christopher Fischer of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, lead author of the study. The study focused on persons using bike share programs in Washington D.C. and Boston, where they are extremely popular. Fischer suspected that many cyclists did not use helmets, but not this many. “We were surprised to find…
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