How does a bike helmet work?

When you crash and hit a hard surface, the styrofoam part of a helmet  crushes, controlling the crash energy and lengthening your head’s  stopping time by about six thousandths of a second to reduce the peak  impact to the brain.

Thicker foam is better, since it gives your head more room to stop.

A plastic skin holds the helmet’s foam together and helps it skid easily on pavement, rather than jerking your head to a stop.

Straps keep the helmet on your head even after the first impact.

The outside of the helmet should be a bright color for visibility in traffic. Reflective trim is useful at night.

Does my child really need one?

YES!

A child of any age needs protection when riding. A small toddler’s  neck may not support the weight of the helmet, so if in doubt, contact  our office for advice.

Laws now require helmets in many areas because research has shown  that 88% of cyclists’ brain injuries can be prevented by a bicycle  helmet.

More than 800 bicycle riders are killed in the U.S. every year,  almost all in collisions with cars, and 75% of them die of head  injuries.

Thousands suffer less severe but debilitating injuries. Your child  could suffer from permanent personality changes and learning  disabilities from a brain injury, and may be aware of what he has lost.  Common long term effects include concentration difficulties,  aggressiveness, headaches, and balance problems.

How much does a helmet cost?

In bike shops and by mail order helmets cost $20 and up.

In discount stores you may be able to find them below $10. A discount  helmet can be just as protective as a helmet bought in a bike shop, but  you must take the time to fit it carefully on your child.

Helmets are cheap for their benefit, so do not wait for a sale.

What should I look for when buying a helmet?

The heads of children vary in shape and size, so be careful when  fitting the helmet. It should sit level on the child’s head and fit  securely when the strap is fastened.

The RIGHT way to wear a helmet:

• Wear the helmet flat atop your head, not tilted back at an angle.

• Make sure the helmet fits snugly and does not obstruct your field of vision.

• Make sure the chin strap fits securely and that the buckle stays fastened.

The WRONG way to wear a helmet:

Look for the roundest and smoothest helmet you can find so that it will skid across pavement easily during a crash.

Check for an ASTM, Snell, or CPSC sticker inside.

Put the helmet on your child and make sure that you cannot work it off when it is fastened and the straps are adjusted.

Look for bright colors on the outside for visibility.

Will I have to buy a new helmet every year?

No. Heads grow less than feet, so helmets do not need to be replaced often.

Some helmets come with several sets of foam fitting pads. You can  start off with the thicker ones and use thinner ones as your child  grows.

The fitting pads do not affect the safety of the helmet, which is provided by the firmer crushable polystyrene foam.

When should I replace a helmet?

Replace the buckle if it cracks or any piece breaks off.

Replace any helmet after your child crashes in it because the impact  crushes some of the foam. Even though the damage may not be obvious, the  helmet may no longer be protective. Because helmets soften the impact  of a crash, a child may not be aware that he has hit his head until you  examine the helmet for damage.