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Bike Helmets for Children 101

Bike Helmets for Children 101

Even though we’re stuck in the middle of winter, it’s not too soon to be thinking about the activities you and your child will participate in once the weather improves. Of course, one of the best activities to enjoy outside is cycling, and when it comes to children, there are certain things you definitely want to keep in mind.

Unfortunately, while many adults still ignore the importance of wearing a helmet while riding their bikes, parents should focus a good amount of attention on keeping their children safe once biking season begins. With concussions being a hot topic in the media these days, it’s well worth the time to look into how head injuries can be avoided.

As someone that’s been both an instructor and supervisor at Pedalheads™ Bike Camps for Kids for over ten years, I’ve seen it all when it comes to children’s bike helmets. Parents have great intentions when it comes to keeping their kids safe, but a little education goes a long way in making sure that possible hazards are avoided. What seemed to work for us as kids might not work today, as research in the area of child safety has never been more comprehensive than it is right now.

Below, I’ve put together a selection of tips and suggestions that will hopefully help parents when it comes to ensuring their child’s safety along with their own when the bikes are finally taken out of the garage and put to good use.

Always wear a helmet!
Right off the bat you might be thinking that this is an obvious tip. When it comes to kids, it’s all about the examples they see before them. If they see their parents only sometimes wearing a helmet, they might develop the mindset that they don’t always have to wear theirs. Setting the right example will build positive habits that will hopefully last the rest of their lives, and in turn, will keep you safe when you ride as well.

Only helmets designed for cycling should be worn
I’ve encountered kids at our camps with helmets designed for hockey, baseball (including a catcher’s helmet), skateboarding, and even fencing…OK, maybe not fencing. All helmets are not created equal as they are designed for the impacts that are associated with their specific activity, so be sure your child is wearing a certified cycling helmet.

Make sure the helmet fits snug and straight
One of the primary concerns with bike helmets is the way they fit around the head. One of the best methods of ensuring a good fit is the “Two Finger Rule”.

Testing Straightness
With the helmet on the head, place two fingers horizontally right above the eyebrows. Run your fingers across the forehead and make sure that there are no areas where less than two or more than two fingers can be placed between the eyebrows and the front portion of the helmet. A helmet that is on straight is extremely important, as it will ensure that no part of the head is left exposed.

Testing Snugness
With the helmet on the head, place two fingers between the chin and straps. If you can fit more than two fingers in this area, the helmet is too loose and will not properly protect the head (A loose helmet is the most common issue I’ve seen over the years). On the other hand, if there is not enough room to fit two fingers in this area, the helmet is on too tight and will be extremely uncomfortable for the child. An uncomfortable helmet will be one that is more prone to being ignored than one that fits well.

Be wary of second hand and hand-me-down helmets
A helmet is the most important piece of safety equipment one can wear for a variety of activities including cycling, so it only makes sense that your child is using a helmet that is in perfect working order. Second hand or hand-me-down helmets that have been in use for a significant amount of time are more likely to have cracks and other wear and tear issues, so the best route to take is getting something new that you know is in top shape.

Choose the right style of helmet
My last tip revolves around the style of helmet your child should wear. If you have a daredevil child that is eager to tackle the mountain biking trails, or the skate park, a full face helmet is something worth investing in. However, if your child is into the tamer trails and is simply using the bike for leisure, a standard open faced helmet will do the job.

With the New Year upon us, the countdown to better weather has begun which means cycling season is right around the corner. Biking is truly one of the finest activities families can enjoy together, and I hope the previous tips help everyone stay safe while having fun.

For those about to bike, I salute you!

Written by Nick Pavlakis, Pedalheads™ Supervisor.