Ten Things to Consider Before Buying Bicycle Helmets
For many of us,
Bicycle helmets have been proven to prevent 48% to 85% of head injuries (the most common type of injury amongst cyclists). Today's bicycle helmets are not only extraordinarily protective, they are also stylish and engineered for many different types of riding. Therefore, no matter how you plan on using your bike, you will find a brand and design to suit your needs.
How Do Bicycle Helmets Prevent Injury?
Let's begin with a statistic: according to the
Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute (BHSI), even the safest riders can expect to be involved in a crash within the next 4,500 miles of riding. That can sound a little bit alarming, but as anyone who has ever gotten on a bike can tell you, crashes do happen. With that in mind, the next step would be to find a way to prevent or minimize the effects of a potential crashHelmet'>Helmets are amazingly effective, can be purchased at affordable prices, and can help save your life.
Bicycle helmets are made with EPS, or expanded polystyrene, a type of durable, foam material. EPS serves as the core structural element of the bicycle helmet, to which the plastic cover and the cushioned pads are applied. When a crash occurs, the EPS is designed to reduce the energy of impact at its peak level, thereby softening the initial blow.
The plastic cover acts in two distinct ways: first, it maintains the structural integrity of the helmet after the initial impact, and second, it allows the helmet to skid in order to prevent injuries to the neck or spine. The assorted cushioned pads found inside are to ensure that the helmet fits properly and does not move around upon impact.
This sounds like pretty grim stuff, but knowing the functional elements of the bike helmet will not only assist you in the buying process, it will also augment the likelihood that you will actually wear one!
How Do You Intend to Use Your Bike?
Similar to any other recreational activity, bicycle riding has various degrees of specialization. A helmet that would help a road-racer get closer to the front of the pack might not be necessary for the average Joe, looking for a greener way of getting to the office. Understanding the different riding specifications will allow you to save time and money when searching for the right helmet.
Bicycle Helmet Safety Standards
Bicycle helmet manufacturers must comply with several testing standards in order to have their products approved for sale in the United States and abroad. When shopping for a bicycle helmet, you can identify whether or not a model is in compliance with thrdr standards by locating a sticker of approval, usually found on the inside of the helmet. Three of the most prominent stipulations are listed below:
* '''United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)''': The CPSC standard applies to helmets produced after March 10, 1999, and stipulates that all
bicycle helmets made or sold in the United States must ensure protection against an impact of 11 miles per hour on rocks and curbs and an impact of 14 miles per hour on a flat surface.
* '''American Society for Testing Materials F1447 (ASTM)''': This voluntary testing regulation, which was never instituted as United States law, was ultimately replaced by the
CPSC standard.
* '''The Snell Foundation BHelmet'>skiing, and competitive cycling.
Bicycle helmets are engineered first and foremost to prevent head injuries. While the desire for manufacturers and riders alike is to achieve a design that combines excellent, lightHelmet'>total protection, the reality is that a sacrifice must be made somewhere in the creation process. These standards have been put in place to ensure the safety of all riders. Therefore, never buy a helmet that does not display a sticker of approval.
Bicycle Helmet Maintenance
Before heading out to shop for a new bike helmet, it can be helpful to learn a few ways to maintain your current model, or to keep the helmet you are about to buy looking and feeling like-new for a long time to come.
The helmet's EPS foam is durable, but it is designed to crush upon impact in order to lessen the blow to the skull. The EPS material is only made to withstand the force of one crash and will not revert to its original shape. Here are some tips that will help make your helmet last:
# Cushion pads can easily dry out through the absorption of sweat and skin protection products like
suncreen. Replacing pads will guarantee a better fit and lasting comfort.
# When simply handwash and rinse the whole helmet in cool water, cleaning with handsoap or dish detergent.
# Always replace
chin straps that have become torn or frayed through consistent use.
# Allow your helmet to airthese will severely weaken the plastic cover and the various bonding materials.
# Do not use petroleum-based cleaning products, which will jeopardize the strength of the EPS foam.
Bicycle helmet manufacturers recommend replacing crash-free helmets approximately every three to five years, based on use. If you sustain a crash, be sure to get a new helmet.
The Importance of Head Shape and Size
Just like fingerprints and snowflakes, no two peoples' heads are exactly alike. For many years, bicycle helmet manufacturers did not account for the variations in size and shape of their potential buyers' heads, producing many
Finding the Perfect Fit
Ensuring that your next helmet fits properly is certainly one of the most important aspects of the purchasing process. Regardless of the price, high-performance features, or brand name, if your helmet does not fit well, it is far less likely to protect you during a crash. You've found the right fit when the helmet sits perfectly level on your head, with a distance of approximately 1 to 1.5 finger widths between the eyebrows and the brim of the helmet.
The helmet should touch all around, with no spot exerting too much pressure, particularly near the temples or the forehead. Your helmet should be firmly snug, but, not too tightthis means tightening the chin straps.
'''What to Watch For'''
* In the event of a crash, the rider's forehead and top of the head are the areas most likely to sustain the initial impact, therefore, a bike helmet must be level above the eyes and should never be worn tilted back. When you look up you should be able to see the brim of your helmet.
* The chin straps can aid in keeping the helmet level and should always be worn firmly against the bottom of the chin.
* You can test how secure your helmet is by trying to move it side to side and forward to back. In addition, you can test the tightness of the chin strap by placing your fingers between the strap and your chinonly one finger should fit between strap and chin.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Special Helmet Features
As the necessity for bicycle riders to wear helmets has become steadily more apparent through years of testing and safety reports, helmet manufacturers have been forced to constantly reinvent their design strategies in order to meet the demands of a discerning, contemporary consumer sector. Today's helmets must not only be protective, they must also be aesthetically appealing and engineered to accommodate the strain of high-performance riding. Every great design innovation comes with its implicit drawbacks, usually in regards to the helmet's overall safety capabilities. Below, we will highlight both the benefits and shortcomings of several popular bicycle helmet features.
Pricing Options
Besides the fact that helmet's can save your life in the event of a crash, they can also be incredibly affordable, especially if you're simply looking for something protective and not too flashy. A standard sport helmet typically runs for around $30 for adults and $20 to $25 for youth and toddlers. Of courseperformance riding styles.
What Are Your State Helmet Laws?
The United States does not have an overarching national law that requires riders to wear bicycle helmets. In 1987, however, state-wide age regulations began to be enforced, requiring riders under a certain age to wear helmets. Here is a list of those regulations based on the age of the rider and the state:
Louisiana and Pennsylvania state laws require that all riders under the age of 12 wear helmets, while New York state law requires all riders under the age of 14 wear helmets. Any states not named are subject to local or municipal age regulations, which can be ascertained at local law enforcement centers
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