Bike Safety and Bike Helmets
Safe Kids Johnson County Coalition is committed to all aspects of making the world a
safer environment for kids, and that includes bicycle riding. Making affordable bike
helmets available to kids of all ages (that means parents too!) is a belief we have
put into . Look for us throughout the year at fair booths, festivals, bike
safety rodeos, elementary schools, and many other events where you will find our
volunteers fitting and selling affordable bike helmets.
Read on to find out how to properly fit a bike helmet.
How to Fit a Bicycle Helmet
You can't get the most protection from your helmet unless it fits well.
You would be surprised how many riders have never fitted their helmets,
and suffer from discomfort ride after ride, while the helmet may not really
help when they crash. In particular, many do not adjust the straps correctly.
- You want the helmet to be comfortably touching the head all the way around, level on the head
and stable enough to resist even violent shakes or hard blows and stay in place. You need that to
be sure it will be in place and protecting the head when it hits pavement after the rider has been
hit by a car!
- You want the helmet as low on the head as possible to maximize side coverage,
fitting uniformly all the way around, with the strap comfortably snug so that you can still open
your mouth but the strap does not pinch, bind or cut into your chin, and the helmet cannot be
made to rock back and forth more than an inch or so.
Make sure you have the right size helmet
- Helmets come in many sizes and shapes: egg-shaped, pointy, elongated, narrow, or wide.
Helmet manufacturers have different adaptations to producing a helmet that fits as many heads as
possible. You should be prepared for the eventuality that the helmet you are trying to fit may not
be compatible with this particular head.
Use the fit pads
- Helmets always have at least one set of fitting foam pads for the inside. Many come with more
than one set, and the second or even third set of thicker pads can be used to customize the shape.
With the light helmets we use now, you can often remove the top pad entirely before you start,
This lowers the helmet on the head, bringing its protection down further on the sides where it is
needed. On the other hand, it also cuts down somewhat on the flow of cooling air by placing the
rider's head flush against the inside of the helmet.
- Adust the side fit pads by using thinner or thicker pads where there is a space, adding thicker
pads on the sides for narrow heads, or thicker pads in the back for shorter heads. You may also
move pads, particuarly on the "corners" in the front and rear. The objective is to make the
helmet fit with pads touching all the way around, without making it so tight that it will be a
constant nuisance. The helmet should sit level on the head, with the
front just above the eyebrows, or if the rider uses glasses, just above the frame of the glasses so
it does not bump on them.
Adjust the straps
- Now put the helmet on and fasten the buckle. The time you spend here will be returned many times over
as you ride with a comfortable helmet and get all the protection you paid for.
You want the chin strap snug against your chin, with the V of the side straps meeting just below
your ear with no slack to let the helmet rock back and forth. First, adjust the length of the rear
(nape) straps, the length of the front straps, and the location of the V fitting where the straps
come together. That may involve sliding the straps through the top of the helmet to get the length
even on both sides. Then adjust the length of the chin strap so it is comfortably snug. If it hangs
down visibly or you can slide two fingers under it, it is too loose.
When you think the straps are about right, shake your head around. Then put your palm under the
front edge and push up and back. Can you move the helmet more than and inch or so from level,
exposing your bare forehead? Then you need to tighten the strap beside and in front of your ear,
and perhaps loosen the rear nape strap behind your ear. Again, the two straps should meet just
below your ear. Now reach back and grab the back edge. Pull up. Can you move the helmet
more than an inch? If so, tighten the nape strap. When you are done, your helmet should feel
solid on your head and comfortable. It should not bump on your glasses when you ride (if it
does, tighten the nape strap).
- A well-fitted helmet is comfortable. You should forget you are wearing it most of the time, just
like a seat belt or a pair of shoes. If it impinges on your riding enjoyment, something is wrong. If
it still does not fit, keep working with the straps and pads, or try another helmet.
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