Pearls of Prevention

It is summer time, and the beautiful weather we've been having means people are getting out of the house to ride their bicycles. I am frequently asked about bike helmets. How should they fit? Why do I really need one if I am always very careful? Then there are the complaints, the straps are too tight or too loose, they don’t fit right, and so on.

So to tackle some of these questions and concerns:
 
How should the helmets fit? They should fit snugly. You can adjust the fit by using the foam pads that come with the helmet. If you are fitting a child, hold on to the pads. The pads can be used later as the child grows. When you have the helmet on, it should sit on top of the head, low on the forehead and just above the eyebrows without sliding backwards. Now that the helmet is fitted with the pads, clip the strap under your chin. Try to move the helmet without using a lot of force. The helmet should not move more than ½ inch in any direction. If you can move it more than the ½ inch, the forehead could potentially be exposed during a crash and then you are in a world of hurt.

The straps are strangling me! Just because you have the helmet on your head does not mean that you should not buckle the straps. Always, I repeat, always buckle the straps. The “V” straps should fit just under the ears. The buckle should be just under the chin. You should be able to slide one finger between the strap and chin without any difficulty. You want the strap snug, but still comfortable. If you are having difficulty opening your mouth or any pain, the straps are too tight. Wider straps tend not to loosen up then the thinner straps. Once you have the perfect fit, you can sew the end of the straps into place.

Helmet hair should be a badge of honor!