Helmet and Bike Riding

 Written by: Samira Haleemzai

Wearing a helmet is the most effective way of reducing head injuries and fatalities resulting from bike crashes.

AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to some people about the importance of wearing a helmet during bike riding.

Shahsawar, a resident of Parwan province says, “My two cousins were riding on a single bike and had not worn helmets.  they crashed their bike. One of them died and the second is still in bed.”

A woman from Herat province says, “Once my husband was riding the bike with my son. He had given the helmet to my son. He crashed along the way home. My husband died but my son survived due to wearing a helmet.”

What do some people think about the causes of not wearing a helmet during bike riding?

Shirkhan, a resident of Parwan province says, “I ride a bike but I don’t wear a helmet because it dishevels my hair.”

Shahsawar says, “I ride a bike but I don’t wear a helmet because the residents of our village mock those who wear a helmet.”

How could some people find a solution to this issue?

Munir Ahmad, a resident of Chaharasiab district, Kabul province says, “When I bought the bike, I did not have more money to buy a helmet but as I know the importance of wearing a helmet, I borrowed some money from one of my friends and I bought a helmet.”

Fazilhaq, a resident Maidan-Wardak province says, “I always ride a bike and I wear a helmet. One I crashed my bike with a car and it broke my legs and hands but as I was wearing a helmet, it saved my head from a blow.”

Abdul Wakil, a traffic police says, “In the article 25th of traffic regulations is mentioned that bike riders must wear helmet otherwise he/she would be fined and the bike would be stopped."