If you ride a bicycle, you need to wear a bicycle helmet, simple as that. As well as making good old common sense, it is also the law in 22 states and 192 different localities – is it the law where you are?

The cold hard facts all point to just how important a bicycle helmet is, and how it can actually save your life, after all, you only get one head. Medical research indicates that wearing a bicycle helmet can prevent up to 85% of cyclist head injuries, and 85% was a lot when I was at school!

So how do you go about buying a helmet? What do you need to know? How much do they cost? What if the kids take them off as soon as they are out of sight? Hold on, too many questions, let’s take them one at a time!

Choosing a Bicycle Helmet – most bicycle helmets are made from expanded polystyrene, or EPS – like you get in a picnic cooler, and have a smooth plastic outer shell. A CPSC sticker inside the helmet will tell you if it meets quality standards. This only tells you that the helmet is up to standard though, if it doesn’t fit properly it still won’t do the job. Helmets generally cost upwards of around $30 from a cycle store but are cheaper in department stores (maybe around $10). The cheaper helmets can still do a good job – if they fit properly. Think about it, what price do you put on your head? I think it’s worth at least $10 don’t you? It’s a good idea to pick out a nice bright color too, or plain white so that motorists can easily spot you.

Fitting your Bicycle Helmet – the helmet should fit snugly on your head, covering as much of the head as possible. It should always be level. Adjust the straps carefully when you are trying on a new bicycle helmet, this will tell you if it’s the right size for your head – you should not be able to get the helmet off your head with the straps fastened, no matter how much pulling and twisting you do. Your bicycle helmet has to stay in position, even if it is hit more than once – maybe on numerous trees on a mountain side or bouncing from a car onto the road – it’s not nice to think about but it does happen so be as safe as possible.

Childrens Bicycle Helmets – it’s important to buy your children a bicycle helmet as soon as they get their first trike! Your head can be damaged at very slow speeds, you don’t have to be speeding along in a road race to need a helmet you know. Medical research actually suggests that a good fitting bicycle helmet could help prevent 85% of cyclist head injuries – and 85% is a lot in anybodys money. We all know that kids grow like wild fire, but heads actually grow much slower than feet and legs so it won’t need replacing every couple of weeks – unless it becomes damaged, then bin it and buy another.

Another problem with children and bicycle helmets is actually making them wear them! It’s easy when you’ve got a toddler or very young child, but by the time they get to around seventh grade, let’s face it, they’re more interested in not looking geeky or having “hat hair” than they are about safety.  It’s all about peer pressure and leading by example. If you wear one, their friends wear them and they are allowed to choose their own bicycle helmet, then you’re in with half a chance. The important thing is to have the will to really enforce the rule and lead by example.

If all else fails just lay down the law, no helmet, no bicycle, simple as that.

They’ll soon get the message or start walking!

Read how to find the cheapest cost for a helmet.