How To Properly Select and Fit a Bike Helmet.

Umm, as my grandfather used to say to me (over and over), “Use your noggin!” Little did you know that his helmet safety advice applies to you too.

I know this may come as surprise to some, but, like seat belts, a bicycle helmet can protect your head and brain ONLY if you wear it each time you ride!  A bicycle crash can happen at any time. A properly fitted bicycle helmet reduces the risk of head injury by as much as 85 percent and the risk of brain injury, concussion or closed head injury by as much as 88 percent.

It’s not enough to just purchase a bicycle helmet. And you not just have to wear a helmet for concussion safety, you have to wear a helmet properly. This means the helmet must be properly fitted, snugly adjusted, and worn each time you ride your bike. More children age 5 to 14 go to hospital emergency rooms for injuries associated with bicycles than with any other sport. Parents, do your job as a parent… make your kids wear a bicycle safety helmet at all times.

Proper Bicycle Helmet Fit

Since heads come in various sizes, so must helmets. Helmet size can vary between manufacturers, so while you can use the size as an estimate for what will fit you, you must always try your helmet on to ensure a safe and proper fit. You can visit the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute (BHSI) for more information on helmet safety

Helmet Fitting Checklist

• Proper Helmet Size: Measure your head for approximate size. Try the helmet on to ensure it offers a correct fit, i.e. it the helmet should fit snuggly. While it is sitting flat on top of your head, make sure the helmet doesn’t rock side to side. Adjustable sizing pads are offered with new helmets. These helmet pads allow you to fine tune the helmet fit to your specific head size. Mix or match the sizing pads for the greatest comfort. In your child’s helmet, remove the padding when your child’s head grows. If it feels small, put in the thinner sizing pads or purchase a larger helmet. If the helmet has a universal fit ring instead of sizing pads, adjust the ring size to fit the head.
• Helmet Positioning: The helmet should sit level on your head and a bit low on your forehead ti about one or two finger-widths above your eyebrow.
• Helmet Buckles: Center the left buckle under the chin. On most helmets, the straps can be pulled from the back of the helmet to lengthen or shorten the chin straps. This task is easier if you take the helmet off to make these adjustments.
• Helmet Side Straps: Adjust the slider on both straps to form a “V” shape under, and slightly in front of, the ears. Lock the slider if possible. Does your helmet rock back more than two fingers above the eyebrows? If so, unbuckle, shorten the front strap by moving the slider forward. Buckle, retighten the chin strap, and test again.
• Helmet Back Strap: Adjust the helmet backstrap to make it snug. Does your helmet rock forward into your eyes? If so, unbuckle, tighten the back strap by moving the slider back toward the ear. Buckle, retighten the chin strap, and test again.
• Helmet Chin Strap: Buckle your chin strap. Tighten the strap until it is snug, so that no more than one or two fingers fit under the strap.
• Final Helmet Fitting Check: Does your helmet fit right? Open your mouth wide (shouldn’t be hard for many of you) and test the feel! The helmet should pull down on the head. If not, tighten the chin strap.

When to Replace a Bicycle Helmet.

A bike helmet should be replaced when:

• The bicycle helmet that has been involved in a crash or is damaged.
• The helmet that used to fit your head no longer fits.
• Replace any helmet that has straps that no longer function.