Wear a Bicycle Helmet – Six Tips For Safety

Not only is riding a bike a rite of passage, representing fun, freedom and fresh air, it’s a healthy pastime that kids and families can enjoy together.

Every month, hundreds of parents hop on their bikes and pedal around the North State with their kids, and at one recent gathering  I asked clusters of parents what their biggest concerns were about their kids riding bikes.

Not surprisingly, safety topped the list. And it should — school age children are indeed at high risk for injuries as they learn to balance and maneuver their bikes on streets and sidewalks.

For the under-18 set, who are generally wearing bicycle helmets because they are required by law, forearm injuries are the most common, according to emergency medical physician Dr. Deven Merchant.

Beth Grobstein and her son, 8-year-old Crew, know the importance of wearing a bicycle helmet.

Bicycle helmets can reduce head injury risk by 85%

When it comes to this grim topic, the good news is that children are unlikely to suffer a fatal accident, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Many of the most severe injuries, for both children and adults, are offset or avoided by wearing the proper headgear.

“Properly fitted bicycle helmets are the single most important safety device for cyclists of all ages and are estimated to reduce head injury risk by as much as 85 percent,” says John Dunn, MD, a Kaiser Permanente Washington pediatrician. “Make it a rule that no one in your family cycles without a helmet, no matter how short the ride.”

With summer right around the corner, parents and kids are gearing up for two and three-wheeled adventures. There’s nothing quite like that thrilling taste of freedom on a bike. Remember your first bike?

Safety checklist for year-round cycling

Here’s a handy helmet safety checklist for your safe cycling year-round.

1. Helmets are required by law

California law requires kids under age 18 to wear a helmet when riding a bike on a street, bikeway or public bicycle path or trail. This includes children who are sitting in restraining seats or are being towed in a trailer behind the bicycle. No exceptions! The helmet must be labeled by one of three accredited safety organizations.

2. Buy a new helmet

Don’t use secondhand or a hand-me-down helmets. It’s worth every penny to protect your child’s brain. There are affordable, safety-tested, and attractive. According to Consumer Reports, cheaper helmets under $20 can be just as effective as pricier ones. Visit local bike shops and ask for help with helmet selection.

3. The helmet must fit properly

Even if your kiddo complains, the strap must be firmly under the chin and the helmet should be snug on the head. When the helmet fits properly, it should be level and you shouldn’t be able to easily push it back to expose the forehead, forward or side-to-side. Teach your child how to put it on correctly. The helmet straps must always be buckled, but not too tightly.

4. Replace helmets every five years

The insulation wears out even without a crash or other damage. Of course, if the helmet is dented, cracked or even dropped hard, get a new one immediately. Helmets lose their capacity to absorb a shock. Don’t wear the bike helmet for any other sport or while on the playground.

5. Make it fun

Let your children pick out their helmets and they’ll be more excited to wear them for every ride. Make it a fun experience. Look for one in bright colors for good visibility that’s also lightweight and well ventilated.

6. Parents – always wear a helmet

Model how important it is to wear a bicycle helmet. Biking with your kids sans helmet sends the message that they can stop wearing one when they are grown up and that helmets are just a pesky part of being a kid. Many accidents happen in driveways, on sidewalks and on bike paths, not just on streets. Sometimes parents mistakenly believe that they can skip a helmet if they’re on cruiser bikes, or just cycling around the neighborhood. In fact, the majority of bike crashes for both kids and adults happen close to home. Parents, wear your helmet at all times to help children develop the helmet habit.