Parents, it drives me nuts when you do this act in public with your families

"It’s not just about you; others are watching and copying," warns Aussie mum, Shona.

There’s nothing that irks me more than when I see someone riding their bike, riding a scooter or even an e-scooter without a helmet on their head - but it is dangling off the handlebars.

It irks me just as much when I see a parent, riding one of these human-powered vehicles alongside their child - but without a helmet in sight.

I totally understand that most helmets aren’t 'cool'. They don’t tend to make fashion’s top look lists of any season or occasion, they don’t usually match or help accessorise your outfit - and we all know they aren’t great for hair, unless flat, helmet hair is your thing.

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Shona and her family wearing helmets. Source: supplied

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"Accidents happen"

But like seatbelts in cars, helmets have a very important, proven and research-backed safety purpose. Some of this I found on a quick Google said: Helmet use reduced the risk of traumatic brain injury by 53% and the total number of killed or seriously injured cyclists by 34%. And wearing a helmet reduced the risk of head injury by 51%, serious head injuries by 69% and facial injuries by 33%.

I know we think 'it will never happen to me', accidents can and do happen. Even to the best of us. Even for the most experienced and capable bike and scooter riders out there.

It happened to me recently. On my usual route, due to heavy rain, I stacked it on a gravel - skidding for metres. My wounds were infused with blood and dirt, but it could have been so much worse - I could have hit my head.

Because falling off a bike from the height of a bike seat or standing, and with the speed you can travel on these modes of transportation, can - and often does - end in serious injury.

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Bike helmets aren't just about you

I think parents need to also remember that it’s not just about you. You’re a parent and you are a role model for your kids. If you are riding alongside them to school without a helmet, they are going to wonder why they have to wear one.

Because as a parent, one of your main tasks is to do your best to keep your child safe. From covering power points when they are babies and toddlers, to using the right car seat, to slipping, slopping, and slapping when heading to the beach; helmets are just another one of these safety mechanics.

But your kids won't really, truly, get that unless you're walking the talk.

Not only are you a role model setting the standards of expectation for your kids, but wearing a helmet on your head protects you too, in another way. Without wearing one, if an accident were to happen, there is no guarantee that you’d get back up off the gravel like I did, with embarrassment being the main worry – your child could be without a parent, or with one who now can no longer live an independent life due to brain injury.

That very much sounds to me like it's worth the dreaded 'helmet hair' which often stops people from wearing the life-saving protection.

Originally published as Parents, it drives me nuts when you do this act in public with your families