The National Transportation Safety Board recommends that all 50 states require people on bikes of all ages to wear helmets.

"A federal safety board issued a surprise recommendation for mandatory bike helmet laws in all 50 states — unanimously approving a last-minute resolution that had not been recommended by the board’s own staff," reports Gersh Kuntzman.
"The National Transportation Safety Board voted 3-0 to recommend helmet laws even as staff members reminded panelists that such laws may reduce overall cycling, and lead to the 'unintended consequence' of more road fatalities because fewer cyclists will mean less pressure on local officials to build the kind of protected infrastructure that is proven to improve cyclist safety."
The surprise element came from the fact that the recommendation was not included in the recommendations drafted by staff prior to the meeting. The recommendation came from a list minute addendum created by board member Jennifer Homendy.
There was some debate on the subject prior to the vote. On the side of board members seeking helmet laws is data that credits helmets with reducing the likelihood if injuries for people on bikes by 48 percent. Helmets are also credited with "[reducing] serious injuries by 60 percent and [reducing] traumatic injuries by 53 percent," according to Kuntzman.
On the other side is evidence from The Netherlands, where high levels of bike safety are found in a country with very low rates of helmet use. Staff analyst Dr. Ivan Cheung testified that "helmet use often discourages cycling, prompting him to refer to the 'unintended consequences' of mandating their use."
FULL STORY: SURPRISE! Federal Panel Seeks Mandatory Helmet Laws

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Updating LA’s Tree Rules Could Bring More Shade to Underserved Neighborhoods
A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure investments are also needed.

California's Canal Solar Projects Aim to Conserve Resources and Expand Clean Energy
California’s Project Nexus has begun generating electricity from solar panels installed over irrigation canals, with researchers and state agencies exploring statewide expansion to conserve water and boost clean energy production.

HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program
The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.
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