(upbeat electronic music)
>> Narrator: We talked to some kids in Baltimore
about wearing bike helmets.
Do you wear a bike helmet?
>> No. >> I do not.
>> No. >> Nope.
>> Narrator: What?
Did you know that every two minutes,
a kid is treated in the emergency room
for a bicycle-related injury or crash?
>> Boy: Uh-huh.
>> You could really be hurt.
Your life could be really damaged.
>> Narrator: And one of the best ways to protect yourself
is by wearing a bike helmet every time you ride a bike.
>> A helmet is used to protect your head.
>> My bike helmet will help my head
so that it won't get hurt.
>> Narrator: So why don't you wear a bike helmet?
>> Uh, helmets are so ugly.
>> Wearing a helmet is for babies.
>> I just don't like to.
(record scratching)
>> Narrator: Wait, do you have a cell phone?
>> I love my phone.
I can't go a day without my phone.
>> Narrator: So how do you protect your phone?
>> I got a thick case
'cause when it falls, it just.
>> I have a case on my phone.
>> So I don't break it or crack it.
>> If it drops, then it won't crack.
>> When you have your phone, if you don't have a case on it,
easily if it falls I know it can just crack
and either it can work again or it cannot work again.
>> Narrator: Can you really predict
when you're going to drop your phone?
No, that's why you protect it by putting it in a case.
Can you really predict when you're going to crash your bike?
No, you can't.
That's why you need to wear a helmet.
>> But I think that you should still be prepared
because I'd never know.
>> Narrator: Let's look at what happens in a crash
when your brain is not protected.
We'll use a melon to stand in for your melon.
>> Announcer: Here comes the science.
>> Boy: Look out, science.
>> Narrator: When you ride a bike,
your head is about four feet from the ground.
When your head falls from that height,
look at what happens.
>> Announcer: Ooh, squishy.
>> Narrator: Just like an unprotected cell phone.
>> Boy: Sorry, no one's answering, please call back later.
>> Narrator: Cell phone cases
and bike helmets work the same way.
They take the impact so your phone
and your brain don't have to.
>> Announcer: Keep safe.
(baby laughing)
>> Narrator: So why treat your cell phone better
than your brain?
>> Man: Ow.
>> Narrator: Your brain is a lot like a cell phone.
The computer chips, processors
and other electronics inside your cell phone
allow it to do all the things it does,
just like your brain allows you and your body
to do all the things you do like see,
hear, remember things, walk and talk.
And just like a cell phone, when your brain gets damaged,
it might not work the same way.
>> After a brain injury, you won't really be the same.
You'll just like, you won't talk the same or walk the same.
>> You only have one brain.
Who are you gonna get a brain from?
>> It's not like you can go buy a new brain.
>> Narrator: So you make the call.
If you've got a phone, you need a case.
If you've got a head, you need a helmet.
(upbeat electronic music)
>> If you ride a bike with no helmet and if you fall--
>> That can actually crack your skull open.
>> You'll go to the hospital.
>> You might have to get stitches.
>> And would just be a whole lot of drama.
>> If you wear your helmet,
you're now aware of what can actually happen
'cause when I'm riding a bike,
I'll be more careful and I'll wear a helmet
because I know the consequences of not wearing a helmet.
>> Uh-huh, you make the call.
>> You make the call.
>> Will you wear a bike helmet every time you ride?
>> You make the call.
>> Will you wear a bike helmet every time you ride?
>> You make the call.