Helmet Use & Fit

Wear your helmet because…

More than 85 million people ride bikes in the US, and only 1 in 4 wears a helmet. About 800 people, including more than 200 children, are killed each year in bicycle-related accidents; 2/3 of these result from traumatic brain injury. Brain damage is not always fatal, but it often causes learning disabilities, personality changes, and a loss of the ability to think clearly.

Studies from hospital emergency rooms show that a helmet can prevent 85%--almost all—of these problems. So you don’t ever want to ride without a helmet, even close to home or just around the block.

Fitting your helmet…

Remember, helmets are not hats! They should be level on your head and strapped securely to protect your noggin from a fatal crash.

The fitting pads on the inside should be touching your head all the way around, and the straps should be comfortably snug. If your helmet doesn’t have fitting pads, it may have an adjustable fitting ring, which should fit snugly all the way around your head.

The rear (nape) straps and front straps should meet in a Y, fitting just below your ear. You may have to slide the straps across the top of the helmet to get these even on both sides.

The last strap you should adjust is the chinstrap, which should be comfortably snug.

The front of your helmet should sit just above your eyebrows. For more information, go to www.helmets.org. They have fitting guides, safety ratings, and studies available on helmet use.