A bicycle helmet is a must if you are planning to ride a bike. According to the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration, head and brain injuries are 85 percent to 88 percent less likely during a biking accident if you are wearing a properly fitted helmet. Most states have helmet laws that you must follow. Finally, bicycle-related head injuries send more children to the hospital each year than any other sports-related injuries. Simply wearing a bicycle helmet is not enough if your helmet does not fit properly. Take the time to find a bike helmet that fits well, and adjust it so that it can fully protect your head in the event of an accident.
Step 1
Measure the circumference of your head at the level of the top of your ears. Only buy a helmet that has a safety certification seal from the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Check a helmet sizing chart for the brand of bicycle helmet you plan to purchase to figure out what size helmet you should buy.
Step 2
Try the helmet on in the store to make sure it fits snugly but not too tightly. If the helmet feels slightly too tight, you may be able to use a thinner sizing pad. If it feels not quite tight enough, you can use thicker sizing pads once you bring your helmet home.
Step 3
Adjust the size of the helmet after you purchase it. Use the ring or sizing pads to ensure a perfect fit.
Step 4
Adjust the chin strap. The strap should be snug enough that only two fingers fit between your chin and the strap when it is buckled. If you open your mouth very widely, it should pull the helmet down on your head. The bottom of the triangles on the sides of the chin strap should be under and slightly to the front of your earlobes.
Step 5
Check that your helmet is on your head properly. The front should rest a finger-width above your eyebrows, and it should be on straight from side to side. Move your head from side to side and back and forth. Your helmet should not move more than an inch in any direction. If it does, readjust the helmet to make it tighter.
Tips and Warnings
- Replace your helmet if it becomes damaged, if it is in an accident or if you outgrow the helmet. If your helmet feels uncomfortable, adjust the straps and/or the sizing pads to make it fit correctly. A comfortable helmet is more likely to be worn regularly than an uncomfortable helmet.
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration warns against buying a helmet that is too big or one to grow into. This will not give you the protection that you need.
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