Along with loud pipes saving lives, one of the next most ludicrous beliefs among motorcyclists is that a helmet will do more damage to you than good in a crash by snapping your neck.
A study by the American College of Surgeons has found that helmet use reduces the possibility of cervical spine injury after a crash as opposed to not using a helmet.
The study, which mulled over 40,500 motorcycle collisions entered into the National Trauma Data Bank between 2002 and 2006, found that helmeted riders were 22 per cent less likely to suffer cervical spine injury compared to non-helmeted riders.
This debunks the long-running belief by many that helmets are detrimental to rider safety because their added weight and shape can break your neck in a crash.
According to a report on eurekalert.org, this myth originated due to a study done two decades ago that had “flawed statistical reasoning”. Also cited on the site is the fact that helmet technology has made great advancements, and helmets today are much lighter and better designed than they were two decades ago.
Well, Duh! :grin