Bicycle Safety

Helmets: Using and Understanding Them

Tip 1
Proper Helmet Strap Adjustment

A properly worn and adjusted helmet is a safer helmet. Helmet straps adjust in several ways:

• The yoke buckles (plastic pieces connecting front and rear straps) should rest at the corner of your jawbone, below your ears.
• In use, the side yoke straps must be taut with the helmet level on your head as you fasten the chinstrap.
• Excess chinstrap webbing can be trimmed and the cut edge melted to prevent fraying. Please let us know if you need assistance with strap adjustment or helmet fitting.

Tip 2
Three Tests For Helmet Fit

The shake test. Shake your helmet from side to side. Fit pads should hold it snugly in place.

The open-mouth test. When you buckle the chinstrap and open your mouth, you should feel the helmet press firmly against the top of your head.

Peel-off test. If you can "peel" the helmet off your head to the front or rear when the chinstrap is tightened, the straps need to be tightened.

Tip 3
A Level Helmet is a Safe Helmet

A helmet is not safe if you do not wear it correctly. The most common mistake we see is a helmet that is not level on the head, exposing the forehead, nose and chin to injury in a fall.

The helmet should rest on your head so the front rim is just above the eyebrows. All other adjustments should be made without altering this position.

Please be careful when adjusting the straps--it is easy to pinch some skin or pull hair when fastening the chinstrap. Ouch!

Tip 4
Why to Wear a Bicycle Helmet

Helmets offer two-stage protection for your head. The outer shell distributes the crash impact over a larger area to reduce the likelihood of skull fracture. The liner is a foam material that compresses to absorb an impact, reducing the force on the skull and the damage that can occur when the brain is suddenly jarred.

Helmets are more comfortable than ever. The newest models are light, weighing in at only about 10 ounces. They're cool, with more vents and channels inside the helmet to direct air flow over your head and out the rear. Moreover, they fit better than ever. We offer a big selection and more sizes, with some models featuring new head-hugging devices that that keep the helmet properly positioned and secure, even when you are on a bumpy surface.

Tip 5
Anatomy of a Helmet

1  Micro thin outer shell is featherweight and provides "exoskeleton" structure around liner.
2  Vents force cool air through helmet's interior.
3  Polystyrene liner absorbs shock once by compressing at impact. Some models have internal reinforcement.
4  Fit pads fine-tune fit and absorb sweat.
5  Strap suspension and buckle hold helmet securely.

The liner absorbs serious impact only once and will not protect you again. Some helmet manufacturers will replace your helmet after a crash--ask your retailer for details.

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