Choosing the Right Bike Helmet
Bicycling is terrific exercise, no question about it. Just about everyone has some happy memories of biking, even if only in childhood. Do you remember your fist solo ride, with your parents calling, “You can do it, you can do it!”, as you glided down the street on your own for the first time?
Riding at the local park or just around the neighborhood is a favorite activity for kids. As teenagers, it’s still just as much fun, but you probably took longer rides as your parents didn’t require you to have so much supervision.
Solo rides were fun when you wanted to clear your mind and just take in the sights. You may also remember your first bike helmet, that protective head gear your parents insisted you wear.
Mom had a good point when she told you to put a helmet on. it’s something we do even as adults. Many a serious injury has been avoided by the practice of wearing a helmet.
Bike helmet designs for kids are different than those for adults. A children’s helmet is usually decorated with lots of fun designs, colors, and cartoon character decals.
Girls can choose from designs like the Disney Princess collection, in colors favored by girls, while boys have bike helmets with a more “macho” type of decoration and colors, with cartoon characters most appealing to boys, like Power Rangers.
When purchasing a bike helmet for a child, it’s important to get the right size. You can find a helmet to fit children from toddlers to age 12. The bike helmet box tells you what age group it will fit.
However, it’s just a guideline. Before buying a bike helmet, have your child try it on. The fit shouldn’t be loose, but should be snug enough so that it doesn’t move easily.
Adult bike helmets have two basic styles, one with a pointed back, and the second with a completely round design. A third design is available, specially constructed to prevent “helmet hair”.
All bike helmets should have secure straps that hook together underneath the chin and which are adjustable. Adult helmets have fewer decorative designs,as pleases the more sedate tastes of adults.
The sleek, pointed back style is quite popular today, with it’s aerodynamic features, increasing your speed somewhat, if you’re into racing.
Many adults like to “personalize” their helmet with stickers, or even paint the entire helmet with the design of their choice. A hair-safe bike helmet looks funny, but can do wonders in maintaining styled hair.
If you enjoy biking on your lunch, but don’t want your hairdo flattened by your helmet, get a hair helmet. It’s got extra space in the top of the helmet to keep your “do” intact.
As the last word, it’s not recommended that you buy a used bike helmet. It could be defective and your first concern is safety!
Helmet Sizing
Your helmet will not be effective if it does not fit properly. Helmets come with a number of sizing pads, which must be properly placed in the recommended locations. To tell if the pads are properly sized, put the helmet on and tip it from side to side and front to back. If the pads are the correct thickness, they should gently grab the surface of the skin without causing discomfort.
Chin straps must also be properly adjusted and kept firmly fastened. Check the chin strap and pads each time you wear your helmet.
For a proper fit, carefully measure the circumference of the head about one inch above the eyebrows.
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