I suffered a traumatic brain injury six years ago, and still feel the effects. Even minor concussions can have long-lasting and profound ramifications, particularly for young people; yet every day I see teenagers in town on bikes, skateboards, in-line skates or scooters, but without helmets.

New Jersey state law requires anyone under 17 to wear a helmet when using any of these vehicles. I see children with no helmets taking terrible falls at local ice-skating rinks. I see helmetless parents riding bikes with their helmeted young children, as if to say, "Don’t worry, kids. When you’re older, you won’t have to wear those nasty things."

Ten years ago, nobody wore helmets skiing, but then skiers wised up, the fashion caught on, and now helmets are ubiquitous. Clary Anderson Arena is about to re-open. Perhaps the township can pressure the new management company to follow the example of ski resorts, recognize that helmets can prevent injuries on the ice as well as on the road, and require or recommend them for all children.

Just like buckling a seat belt, the simple act of putting on a helmet drastically reduces the risk of serious injury. Wearing one might be annoying at first, but it quickly becomes a habit. And what could be cooler than something that saves your life?