Israel: Parents Support Bicycle Helmets

In Israel, there are no laws requiring children to wear bicycle helmets. Yet, according to data extrapolated from studies in the United States of America and Canada, wearing helmets there would save $44.2 million over a 5-year period and save about 57 lives, 2,400 hospitalizations, and 13,300 emergency department visits over five years.

In one survey of 10 trauma centers in Israel, 649 children under age 18 were seen in emergency departments for treatment of bicycle injuries during a one- year period. Of these injuries, 58 were considered serious.

The National Center for Children’s Health and Safety, known as ‘Beterem' conducted a telephone survey of parents of children aged 15 and younger. Among the parents, 89% supported a national law requiring children to wear bicycle helmets. The researchers at ‘Beterem' recommend, based on the results of this survey, that the medical community should act to promote legislation requiring helmet wearing for children on bicycles, scooters, skateboards, roller skates, and rollerblades.

Hemmo-Lotem M, Endy-Findling L, Epel A, et al. The rationale for promotion of bicycle helmet legislation for children up to 18 years. Harefuah 2007;146:690-4. [in Hebrew]

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