10 april 2024
Today is the Bicycle Helmet Day. Just like last year, doctors at Radboud university medical center are taking this opportunity to draw attention to wearing a bicycle helmet. This is necessary, because the number of people who suffer serious head or brain injuries from falling from a bicycle is unfortunately still growing. This often has far-reaching consequences for the patient and those around him.
The Netherlands is the only country in the world where more people die in traffic while cycling than in a car. This of course has to do with the fact that we cycle often and a lot. But it also shows that it makes sense to wear a helmet, even though we are not traditionally used to it in the Netherlands.
Practical demonstration in building B
From 12:00 noon there will be a practical demonstration of the usefulness of the bicycle helmet in front of the restaurant in building B. We simulate the impact of a fall by dropping a bowling ball on (an artificial head with) a bicycle helmet. Will the helmet survive that? You will discover that this afternoon.
Information in schools
Various doctors from Radboud university medical center provide information at schools about the usefulness of bicycle helmets. Pediatric neurologist Elisa Hamer was at Michiel de Ruyter primary school and Poespas daycare center last week. Today surgeon Stijn Nelen visits Montessori primary school and Farid Abdo is intensivist at Klein Heyendaal primary school.
Why Bicycle Helmet Day?
In the Netherlands, approximately 67,000 patients are treated at the Emergency Department after cycling accidents, of whom 26,000 are children aged 0 to 18 years. For example, because they bump into a sidewalk, play or do stunts on a bicycle. The number of accidents involving e-bikes is also increasing. Wearing a bicycle helmet can reduce (brain) injury caused by a bicycle accident by up to 60 percent.
In particular, our neurologists, neurosurgeons and intensivists treat the patients who come to them after a cycling accident. In some cases things turn out reasonably well and a patient can lead a reasonable life again after rehabilitation, which can sometimes last two years; Sometimes things progress less and there is permanent damage to the brain, which can seriously affect the quality of life. And very sometimes it is impossible to save a patient.
That is why our motto is: what you can prevent, you don’t have to treat!
