Do bicycle helmets prevent facial injuries?
Reviewed by Stuart Clark

This is an analysis from Germany where they reviewed over 7000 bicycle accidents over a 16-year period that met their inclusion criteria. Over 1000 had a facial injury (bone or soft tissue) with helmets being worn in 11.8% of accidents. They acknowledge factors such as incorrect sizing or wearing of the helmet, and the possibility of coincidence bias in their analysis. Nonetheless, they conclude there is no protective effect of a standard bicycle helmet with regard to facial injuries following an accident. They suggest methods of better acceptance so that a helmet may be worn and extending it further down to protect the upper face.

Reality or wishful thinking: do bicycle helmets prevent facial injury.
Stier R, Jehn P, Johannsen H, et al.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY
2019;48:1235-40.