Ames residents are not using helmets when riding bicycles, a survey by the City of Ames concluded.

The study also confirmed that the amount of people riding with helmets had dropped since a similar study in the fall of last year.

According to a press release, the Ames Police Department conducted a survey this past April to determine the rate of bicycle helmet use within Ames.

The survey proved that 71 percent of children, 70 percent of adults and 91 percent of high-school or college-age students are not wearing a helmet while riding bikes.

The survey was conducted in three different locations to get a diverse sample of the population in Ames.

Uniformed officers took a physical count at various bicycle hot spots in Ames.

Among the areas surveyed were Brookside Park, the intersection of Welch Avenue and Knapp Street and the intersection of Lincoln Way and Beedle Drive.

Iowa has no helmet laws for either bicycles or motorbikes. However, in its commitment to ensure the safety of the citizens, the police department encourages all age groups in Ames to wear a helmet when operating a bicycle.

“We work through the school system with the school liaison officer program, Officer Bob, to get the message across that wearing a helmet is important,” said Sergeant Randy Kessel, public information officer for the Ames Police Department.

Kessel added that the police department holds different activities to promote helmet use.

“We also host a Bike Rodeo, distribute a variety of brochures and have the Speakers Bureau give out even more information,” he said.

In addition to using helmets, there are a variety of other precautions that bikers can take to ensure their own and others’ safety.

Wearing brightly colored clothing, understanding the rules and laws that govern bicycles and paying attention to other bikers and motor vehicles are a few of the recommended precautions for bikers.

“Bikers have to obey the same rules as other motor vehicles,” he said.

“Using proper hand signals, obeying all stops and having working lights and reflectors are all required,” Kessel said.

Of a variety of people asked, most claimed they do not wear helmets because they are troublesome, uncomfortable or too hot.