When you go cycling, you are always reminded to wear your helmet at all times. Though you feel safe in the cycling path, helmets should still be considered. Have you heard about the OCBC Cycle Singapore 2014 incident? There was a participant who accidentally fell and suffered head injuries.

He was rushed to the Singapore General Hospital; he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. Unfortunately, he died on April 4, 2014. That was the eye opener. Cyclists realized that helmets cannot sustain injuries. The incident proved that while helmets can make a difference at the end of the day, it is not 100% effective.

• Helmets reduce the risk of severe brain damage: if your head hits the ground, there will be lesser impact if you wear helmets. If you do not wear helmets, the force of the impact will put pressure on your head.
• Helmets provide good padding for the head: the head deserves a comfortable padding whenever you go. It is practical to provide your head with a good padding when you go cycling or rollerblading.
• Helmets protect you in falls: if you collided with anything, your helmet is your best protection when you fall. If you protect your head against falling, you will never suffer or experience severe brain damage.

Indeed, helmets can reduce fatalities. You will see that more and more cyclists are wearing helmets when they are cycling. Helmets are not only for cycling. There are people who use helmets for motorcycling and rollerblading. If you do not wear helmets, you will surely suffer the consequences. Do not think that helmets make you look like a fool or it is not cool. Your head without the helmet is like watermelon when you fall. It is not a pleasant sight.

The good news is that there are many places here in Singapore that offer and sell helmets. There are cheaper ones and there are expensive ones. Regardless of the cost, the important thing that you should do is consider the quality. The quality is important so it can sustain the brunt. Buying helmet is worth the investment.

The government should intensify its efforts to encourage and support helmet use. Many countries, including Singapore adopted laws to make the helmet use obligatory. The laws are enforced. Apart from enforcing laws, the government is also doing its best to raise public awareness about the importance and benefits of helmets.