With each bike ride comes the risk of injury that can be reduced or prevented by wearing a safety bicycle helmet. Common causes of bike riding injuries include falling, running into something or getting hit by a vehicle. Your safety helmet provides armor around your skull. Protect yourself by wearing a helmet with every bicycle ride, regardless of your age or riding experience.
Perfect Fit
Purchase a helmet that fits snug on your head, so you don't have to adjust while riding. Safe bicycle helmets must fit flat on your head when you fasten the chin straps. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that the helmet must sit low on your forehead, one or two finger widths above your eyebrow. A helmet that fits properly must not move from side to side and must fit like a glove.
Safety Labels
Decrease your risk of injury by reading the safety label inside of the helmet. The safety label lets you know that the product has been quality tested for protection by organizations such as ASTM International, Snell and the American National Standards Institute, commonly known as ANSI.
Visors
Sunny or bright days can affect your vision, which could cause injury if you fall off your bike. Wearing safety helmets with visors shields your eyes from the sun. Such helmets also protect your face from getting hit by dirt, bits of rock and debris on unpaved bike paths. Although bicycle helmets with visors provide protection, never purchase helmets with visors that restrict your vision.
Visibility
Riding your bike in the dark or during adverse weather conditions can make it difficult for others to see you. Purchase helmets with built in reflectors or place reflector stickers on your helmet. Reflectors make you visible from a further distance, which helps vehicle drivers and other bikers see you.
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