The Helmet Issue

By Ian Graham

Consider these shocking statistics from the Brain Injury Association and the Brain Injury Association of Kentucky.

• Ninety-seven percent of bicyclists killed in 1997 reportedly were not wearing helmets.
• Medical research shows that a bicycle helmet can prevent 88 percent of cyclists' brain injuries.
• Universal use of helmets could prevent one death every day and one brain injury every four minutes.
• Each year, about 567,000 people go to hospital emergency departments with bicycle-related injuries; about 350,000 of those injured are children under 15; about 130,000 sustain brain injuries.

The argument of whether or not to wear a helmet while cycling is short, especially when statistics like these are considered. So I will not belabor the issue of helmet use. The numbers speak for themselves. We'll instead look at some simple steps to take to ensure the proper size and fit of your helmet and to maximize safety and comfort.

THE EVOLUTION OF THE HELMET

Fifteen years ago bicycle helmets were bulky, heavy, poorly ventilated and uncomfortable. There were, and still are, helmets worn by road racers that are referred to as "hairnets;" they are lighter and better ventilated but offer minimal protection. Within the last six to eight years though, the refinements in helmet design technology have produced helmets that are not only comfortable, but also extremely well-ventilated and so lightweight that it's difficult to tell when you're wearing one. All of this technology has not come without a price, but in the last couple of years the benefits have trickled down into the $30-$40 price range.

Another important consideration is the safety certification of the helmet you buy or use. The two main testing certifications to look for in a helmet are the American Society of Testing and Materials (A.S.T.M.) or the Consumer Product Safety Commission (C.P.S.C.). Other testing certifications to look for are the American National Standards Institute and the Snell Memorial Foundation. All of these testing facilities use standardized tests to ensure that a helmet and the buckle assembly will not fail during use. Any helmet that has passed these certifications will have a sticker on the inside of the shell indicating that it meets all of the testing requirements. If you are buying or borrowing a helmet that does not have one of these certifications, I strongly suggest you keep looking. A specialty bike shop, rather than a department store, is your best bet to make sure you're getting a certified helmet.

THE FIT

At Scheller's, one of the services we provide for the cycling community is technical support for many of the area's organized cycling events. Many of the riders at these events are new to cycling and are not familiar with their equipment, including their helmet, which is required to participate. Over the years I have seen every possible variation of improper helmet fit from helmets worn backwards or on the back of the head to straps that are missing entirely.

Here are the steps you need to take to properly fit your helmet.

• SIZE - Helmets are typically manufactured in small, medium and large sizes. Some manufacturers also make x-small and x-large. More recently, helmet design has followed that which is typical of a construction helmet, incorporating an internal, adjustable circumference strap that allows a uniform snug fit around the entire skull and minimizes movement during use. Your helmet should fit snugly without applying uncomfortable pressure. If you have any measurable movement from side to side or front to back you should probably move down a size.
• POSITION - The helmet should sit in a level position on your head, which will provide the necessary protection for the front of your forehead and the back of your skull. Many people wear their helmets too far rearward, leaving the front of the forehead exposed and vulnerable.
• STRAP ADJUSTMENT - There are four straps on the helmet, two in the front and two in the back. The front and back straps on each side will join in a common slide bracket that, properly positioned, will be just under and slightly forward of each ear. The proper positioning of these brackets will ensure the correct position of the strap under the chin. The final adjustment is made by removing enough slack in the chinstrap to allow it to gently rest against your chin with room to fit two fingers snugly under the strap. If it's too loose the helmet could shift back on your head or come off in a crash. Too tight and you'll feel like you hit a clothesline when you turn your head to talk to your riding partner!

If you follow these steps your helmet will not only function as it was intended in the unfortunate event of a crash, but it will also be more comfortable and easier to wear.

As a parent, I must also stress the importance of leading by example. I often see a parent riding with children; the parent has no helmet on, but the kids do. The fact that children learn by observing their parents is well known, and it doesn't take long for a child to resist wearing a helmet if the parent does not. Start them as infants in the baby seat of your bike wearing the helmet and it will become second nature as they grow into their own bikes.

Because there is a temptation to leave the helmet at home during short trips or neighborhood rides, I think it is important to mention one final statistic. Almost half of all bicycle crashes occur in driveways and on sidewalks!

Ian Graham,general manager of retail sales for Scheller's Fitness and Cycling, can be reached at 502-969-4100, igraham@schellers.com or www.schellers.com.