The helmet is likely to be the most important equipment for any rider. In the BMX world, this may be truer than in other types of cycling. In BMX racing and freestyle, the risk for head injury is elevated by the nature of the sport. Other riders and unmovable objects like the ground and man-made obstacles all pose a risk to the inexperienced and experienced rider alike. In all types of cycling, one in eight cycling-related injuries involve a traumatic brain injury, according the U.S. Center for Disease Control. In the area of BMX racing alone, a study commissioned by the American Academy of Family Physicians found that over 6 percent of all riders are injured while riding.
Helmets are relatively inexpensive and can be found in most department and specialty bicycle stores. A helmet will protect the rider's head, but the rest of the body can also take a beating. Beginner riders should look into wearing knee and elbow pads as they start attacking the race course or urban landscape. For BMX racers, there is also protective equipment that covers the shins, protects the torso and kidneys and braces the neck.
What to Look for
In BMX racing, the sports governing body, the American Bicycle Association (ABA), requires all participants to wear a helmet. The ABA highly recommends a motocross-style helmet with a full-face protective extension. This type of helmet will protect a rider from facial contact with the ground or other riders. There are numerous manufacturers of racing helmets, but be prepared to pay anywhere from $50 to $300.
In freestyle riding, the most typical type of helmet used in freestyle riding is the same type of helmet used in skateboarding. The most common manufacturer of freestyle helmets is Pro-Tec, whose products range from $30 to $60 each. The key point to the purchase of any helmet purchase is to make sure the fit is correct. It is should be snug to the head and the straps should not hang too loose around the rider's chin.
Common Pitfalls
Make sure all protective equipment fits properly. Knee pads that are too large can impede a rider's ability to control the bike, thus potentially causing more injury. The culture of BMX freestyle, borrowing from the nature of extreme sports, values adrenaline over safety, especially in "backyard" competitions. Because the sport is most unregulated, young riders will take their cue from other riders. If safety equipment is not emphasized, it is likely that sentiment will be emulated.
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