Next time you or your family and friends think of going for a ride without wearing a helmet, consider these statistics given by the Bike Helmet Organization. Everyone in your family should wear a helmet when bicycling. The Consumer Products Safety Commission also advises parents to make sure children remove their bicycle helmets before spending time on a playground, as the straps can get caught in playground equipment. Helmet use is important in preventing serious head trauma. Many overuse injuries stem from improper bike fit, anatomic malalignments, and training errors.
Treatment includes adjustments to the bike and modification of training habits.
Included are tables regarding a variety of malalignments, related overuse injuries, and suggested bicycle adjustments. This is a great article with extremely detailed information on explaining the nature of injuries involved with mountain biking. Now that you are scared silly to go on your mountain bike, you can use your new-found knowledge to properly prepare yourself and those around you with correct gear and techniques in avoiding injuries.