Use Your Head - Lazer / Team Jumbo-Visma

From the best cyclists in the world to little kids on their first bike, all have most-likely shared the great joys of riding a bike. The freeing feeling of enjoying the open air & sun on your face while taking in the sights and sounds of the outside all stem from the fact that there is no external “layer” closing you off from the outdoors. However, this lack of external protection leaves cyclists vulnerable.

While crashing is not what is envisioned whilst enjoying a ride, accidents do happen and although we cannot prevent these accidents from happening, we can put the importance of wearing a helmet in the spotlight. The protective benefits of helmets are undisputable, however many still decide to not “Use Their Head” and take to the road without this extra layer of protection.

Lazer, together with partner Team Jumbo-Visma, are addressing this social problem by raising awareness of the importance of wearing a helmet with a goal to increase helmet use. What better way to capture the attention of many than showing up with a distinctive and outspoken helmet design at the start of one of world’s biggest cycling races: Paris – Roubaix, and that’s just the beginning! Keep on scrolling and find out 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. Coryn, 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.