Many of us can remember riding our bikes all over the place. Now, things have changed! Riding your bike can be very dangerous if you don't wear helmets. People, mainly adults, forget sometimes that cars now are faster and perhaps driven more carelessly than when they were kids. Many people think that since they survived the bumps and cuts when they were kids, their children will, too. But unfortunately, that's not the case.

I have done some research, and every year 500-600 children die and more than 850,000 have been seriously injured because of accidents while on bicycles. Of these, more than 500,000 children have suffered head injuries in bike-related incidents.

Helmets can prevent 80 percent of the serious head injuries. Parents should set a good example by wearing bicycle helmets when they ride. I know teens wouldn't be too fond of the idea, but if everyone, or almost everyone, wears a helmet, kids won't think it is "queer."

Cyclists must also follow the rules of the road! Wearing a helmet should be a demand, not an option. The reason I am so concerned is because recently my best friend got hit by a car while riding his bike. After being in a coma for ten days, he passed away. If he had been wearing a helmet, he would still be alive. Bicycle helmets save lives - what better reason is there to make sure bike riders wear one? You tell me! I don't want to learn about anyone else being killed. n