Head injuries from bike accidents can be devastating, but damage can be controlled and sometimes even avoided by wearing a properly fitted bicycle helmet. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that the probability of serious injuries to the head and brain can be reduced up to 88 percent with the use of a bike helmet. Adjusting the straps and padding in a bicycle helmet to create a snug fit greatly increases its effectiveness.
Step 1
Measure the circumference of your head with a tape measure. While some bicycle helmets are sized simply "small," "medium" and "large" or by age in the case of children, certain models may make size suggestions based on how big your head is. Knowing this measurement can help you buy a helmet that is more likely to fit appropriately.
Step 2
Put the bicycle helmet on your head so that is level across the top of your head and touches your head at all points. The NHTSA explains that you should have no more than two finger-widths of space between the edge of your helmet and your eyebrows.
Step 3
Use foam padding to ensure a snug fit. Many bike helmets include removable padding that can "build up" the helmet if you have a narrow face or oval head shape. Once fitted correctly, the helmet should not be able to move when you shake your head around.
Step 4
Hook the buckle of your helmet and tighten the straps using the Bicycle Coalition of Maine's recommendations. The Y-shaped arrangement of the straps on the side of your face should hit right below your ears on each side. The chin strap should be snug enough so that when you open your mouth, you feel a slight pull.
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
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