All About Helmets
What if you were one of the 540,000 people who got tangled up in a bike crash this year? Would you be one of the 67,000 with head injuries? According to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute (BHSI.org), most of these head injuries could have been prevented if each cyclist involved simply wore a helmet.
Riding a bike safely includes more than stretching and avoiding traffic. Helmets are a rider's main line of defense; whereas a car has airbags and seatbelts, a bike offers no protection in an accident. In many cases, a bike helmet is the difference between suffering substantial injuries and walking away from an otherwise disastrous crash.
When you're searching for the perfect helmet, there are three things every biker and cyclist needs to know as they begin shopping for a safe and sure-fitting helmet.
Safety Standards [+] Before you even try a helmet on, check to make sure it meets the appropriate safety requirements for the type of riding you will be doing. For instance, a soft-shell helmet is not suitable for experienced riders who bike at high speeds — you will need a hard shell with foam pads inside.
Look inside the helmet for stickers denoting what safety standards the helmet meets. There are two main bodies governing bicycle helmet safety in the United States — The ANSI (www.ansi.org) and the Snell Memorial Foundation SMF (www.smf.org). SMF has the most stringent requirements and labels all approved helmets with unique serial numbers to ensure traceability. Since 1999, the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (www.cpsc.gov) has also mandated a list of bicycle helmet safety requirements. It is now the country’s most common classification and
Proper Fit [+] Finding a bike helmet that fits right is the key to protection. If the helmet falls off — or if it is uncomfortable and you are forced to take it off — it will not do what it is made to do, which is to protect your head. The proper way to wear a helmet is by ensuring that it is level in both front and back, and covers most of your forehead. Make sure it is snug all the way around and has adjustable (and sturdy) chin straps.
Visibility [+] Be aware that your color choice will affect your visibility. Black is difficult for motorists to see, so unless you're planning on decorating it with reflective tape, you may want to choose a bright color.
