A bicycle helmet can help prevent head injuries, but only as long as it is worn properly. To be able to perform its function, the straps on a bike helmet must be sturdy enough to stay in the correct position and to provide a snug fit. Adjusting the straps on bicycle helmets each time you participate in this form of recreation can help keep you safe from a potentially serious injury in the event of an accident.
Step 1
Put on your bicycle helmet. Make sure the helmet sits level on your head and is snug. Your helmet should not move when you move your head from side-to-side. Fasten the buckle of the straps.
Step 2
Look in a mirror as you adjust the straps. Verify that the Y-shaped area of the strap on each side of the helmet sits just below each ear. You may need to experiment with the length of both the back and front straps, making them longer or shorter so that they form a "Y" when you put the helmet on. The lengths of strap run underneath the top of your helmet. The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute explains that you might need to take the helmet off and slide the straps around from the top of your helmet in order to get equal lengths on both sides of your head.
Step 3
Adjust the tension of the chin strap once you have properly fixed the position of the "Y" straps. Pull the free lengths of strap until the strap is secured fairly tightly underneath your chin, but without causing pain.
Step 4
Do the "mouth test" to determine if you need to adjust your bicycle helmet straps further. Open your mouth to see if you feel a slight pull from the chin strap. If you do not feel resistance, adjust the strap by pulling the free end to make the restraint tighter against your chin.
Step 5
Adjust your straps permanently with a needle and thread or a rubber band if you experience "strap creep." Strap creep is the term that describes the loosening of the straps during use, even after you have made adjustments. Sometimes the buckle is not tight enough, and the strap slips through and becomes too loose. To correct this problem, fasten a rubber band around the strap just under the buckle to prevent the strap from creeping. Sewing a few stitches just below the buckle with a large needle and heavy gauge thread can also keep the strap in its correct position.
Things You'll Need
- Mirror
- Rubber band
- Needle
- Thread
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