Do you wear one or make your child put one on before you head out the door? Set a good example for the little ones and put on a helmet.
I'd like to talk about helmets. Some may say, “oh yes, let's.” But I imagine there are a few or more out there that just rolled their eyes at the subject.
Over 54 percent (1) of cycling injuries could have been prevented with a helmet, and of all the fatal cycling injuries 74 percent (2) are the result of the rider not wearing a helmet. I myself am old enough and from an era where helmets were for backflips and anything short of that was unnecessary, and pretty "un-cool." It took a pretty severe concussion in my early 20's to make me begin to reconsider my approach to helmet safety.
I was riding my bike to work on a very quiet street in our neighborhood when someone rolled through a stop sign while messing around with their phone. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time and after bouncing my head off the front grill of the truck, I woke up in an ambulance with a neck brace and side effects that included migraines, and the loss of some fine motor skills that would last for almost a year afterward.
I was talented on a bike, and when I was in my element I seldom crashed. But the world isn't always under our control. There are things that we can't see coming and that no one could ever predict. These moments are the reasons we are committed to making sure our kids wear helmets any time they get on something with wheels. They're all excellent riders for their age, and talented on scooters and skateboards as well, but helmets aren't necessarily a reflection of a person's skill level. They are equally as much, if not more so, meant to protect them from the child riding next to them that might not be as coordinated, or the lady walking her dog who might not have a good enough hold of the leash or any other thing that isn't within their control. Why take the risk when it comes to something like your child's brain?
Below we are going to share some suggestions on what to look for when shopping for a helmet.
Sizing: If the helmet doesn't fit, it doesn't matter how good a price it is. Don't buy it! A helmet is meant to have a snug fit like a shoe or a glove. They even come in sizes to help you find a better fit. If it moves too much it won't stay in place during an impact, and if it doesn't stay on your head then it can't do its job. Most of today's helmets have adjustable fit systems inside or at least the ability to modify the pads for a more secure fit. It's worth it to double-check the fit every time you put it on. Kids grow quickly and even a change in a haircut or style can require some alterations to make sure the helmet is as secure as it should be.
Chin Strap: The next thing to check is the chin strap. The two-finger rule is an oldie but a goodie. This means you should be able to fit two fingers between the strap and your chin. This makes sure it's tight enough to not pop off or over your chin, but loose enough to not restrict breathing. This will work for most. For others who are a little more claustrophobic like myself, you may need to run the strap a little looser. This is ok as long as the strap can't come over your chin.
Safety Rating: Finally check the safety rating. Not all helmets are created equal, and while they might look like helmets they don't actually have the ability to absorb impact. This is often the case with the cheap versions. You want to find a helmet that is at least CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) rated. This means that it was tested for impacts up to and above the speed that you may be traveling on a bike. There are other ratings like MIPS which stands for multi-directional impact protection system. This means that the helmet does a better job protecting against tumbling or rolling crashes while CPSC can only offer protection for the initial impact of a head-on collision.
Regardless of what helmet brand you decide to buy, check the safety rating and make sure that they've taken the time to apply some layer of impact protection. We only get one brain so please take care of it.
If you have any questions about helmets and fit message us or follow us on Instagram @alifemaspicante