A certain sign of spring’s arrival is (well it was a day or two ago) the appearance of motorcycles! We encourage everyone to be especially aware of motorcycle riders (and cyclists) who share the streets, roads and highways.

While we are on the topic of motorcycle riding, here is the definitive update on riding safety: helmets help protect against spine injuries. According to a recent study (SOURCE: Johns Hopkins Medicine, news release, Feb. 8, 2011): “Motorcycle helmets reduce the risk of spine injuries; this challenges a widely held belief that the weight of motorcycle helmets increases the risk of neck injuries.”

The study continues: ” … their study provides the strongest evidence yet that helmets significantly reduce the risk of cervical spine injury, which can result in paralysis.

“‘Using this new evidence, legislators should revisit the need for mandatory helmet laws. There is no doubt that helmets save lives and reduce head injury. And now we know they are also associated with a decreased risk of cervical spine injury,’ Dr. Adil H. Haider, an assistant professor of surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, said in a Hopkins news release.

“Over the past 15 years, a number of states have repealed their mandatory motorcycle helmet laws after lobbying from anti-helmet activists who often cite a small, 25-year-old study that suggested that the weight of a motorcycle helmet increased the risk of spine injuries. However, many experts say the study used flawed statistical reasoning.

“‘Additionally, helmet technology has significantly improved since that time — now helmets are much lighter but even sturdier and more protective,’ Haider said.”