Use Your Head - Lazer / FDJ-Suez

Cycling. A means of transport. A means of sport. A means of enjoyment. It’s estimated there are over 1 billion bikes around the world. An estimated 4 out of 5 people on those bikes do not wear a helmet. Despite the fact that helmets were found to reduce head injury by 48% and serious head injury by 60%.

The protective benefits of helmets are undisputable. So why the reluctance when the safety benefit is so painfully obvious? There is no shortage of excuses. “My hair gets messy” or “I look silly” are used daily to decide against a helmet. Lots of poor excuses that don’t weigh up against the benefit. It’s high time to change this mindset.

To shine light on the importance of wearing a helmet and being visible in traffic, Lazer encourages people to “Use their Head”. A campaign under the same name took off in 2023 and continues its efforts to increase helmet use in 2024 together with partner FDJ-Suez.

By showing up with a distinctive and outspoken helmet design during Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the attention of many is referred to the importance of wearing a helmet.

Find out through facts and testimonials why it’s so important to:

Use Your Head

Medical experts
have their say

Dr. M.J.H. Ariës

Neurologist/intensivist, Maastricht UMC+

Dr. M.J.H. Ariës has years of experience within the Neurology/Neuro-traumatology expertise at the Maastricht University Medical Center. Unfortunately, he still has to deal with patients too often who suffer (severe) brain injuries due to a bicycle accident. He is happy to share his experiences and the importance of wearing a helmet with you. With his ‘Hersenstrijd’ initiative, he is bringing more attention to the different types of brain injuries caused by trauma and stories of individuals, including cycling.

"Use your head,

use a helmet"

Dr. M.J.H. Ariës

Neurologist/intensivist, Maastricht UMC+

Dr. R. Haeren

Neurosurgeon, Maastricht UMC+

From his expertise in neurosurgery, Dr. R. Haeren highlights what type of brain injuries he frequently encounters during his work at the University Medical Center Maastricht. According to him, the importance of wearing a helmet cannot be emphasized often enough, especially now the number of bicycle accidents with (severe) brain injuries is increasing.

"Protect your brain,

wear a helmet"

Dr. R. Haeren

Neurosurgeon, Maastricht UMC+

Let the numbers
do the talking

Sources: World Health Organisation, Centraal Bureau voor statistiek Cijfers 2021, VeiligheidNL cijfers 2021, Stichting Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek Verkeersveiligheid Cijfers 2020-2022

88%

reductions in head and brain injury when wearing a bicycle helmet (world-wide)

88%

reductions in head and brain injury when wearing a bicycle helmet (world-wide)

88%

reductions in head and brain injury when wearing a bicycle helmet (world-wide)

88%

reductions in head and brain injury when wearing a bicycle helmet (world-wide)

85%

estimated helmet effectiveness (world-wide)

85%

estimated helmet effectiveness (world-wide)

85%

estimated helmet effectiveness (world-wide)

85%

estimated helmet effectiveness (world-wide)

33%

less risk of neck and face injury when wearing a bicycle helmet (world-wide)

33%

less risk of neck and face injury when wearing a bicycle helmet (world-wide)

33%

less risk of neck and face injury when wearing a bicycle helmet (world-wide)

33%

less risk of neck and face injury when wearing a bicycle helmet (world-wide)

50,000

bicycle accident victims in emergency department every year (in the Netherlands)

50,000

bicycle accident victims in emergency department every year (in the Netherlands)

50,000

bicycle accident victims in emergency department every year (in the Netherlands)

50,000

bicycle accident victims in emergency department every year (in the Netherlands)

30,000

accidents (60%) involve unilateral accidents (in the Netherlands)

30,000

accidents (60%) involve unilateral accidents (in the Netherlands)

30,000

accidents (60%) involve unilateral accidents (in the Netherlands)

30,000

accidents (60%) involve unilateral accidents (in the Netherlands)

12,500

bicycle accident victims with brain injury from fall on head every year (in the Netherlands)

12,500

bicycle accident victims with brain injury from fall on head every year (in the Netherlands)

12,500

bicycle accident victims with brain injury from fall on head every year (in the Netherlands)

12,500

bicycle accident victims with brain injury from fall on head every year (in the Netherlands)

Experiences that matter

Regrettably, there are still too many stories in which brain damage has resulted from an accident. We’ve written down a couple of them based on real events with real victims. We understand that this may be confronting. But that’s actually the point here, because we wish for every cyclist to have the protection they need. Grace, Walther, Seb and Jip tell you about the time a helmet made the difference or that time they had wished they would’ve worn a helmet.