How Do I Know My Bicycle Helmet Is Safe?
Helmet safety is a big deal.
Every year in America, approximately 800 cyclists are killed and half a million taken to hospital emergency rooms. Of those deaths and injuries, approximately 2/3 and 1/3 respectively involve head and face injuries. Helmets can reduce head injury risks by 85%.
Obviously, wearing a helmet is essential – but can all of them be trusted?
How can you tell whether your helmet is safe? Melon Helmets have the answers…
Look For Certification
One of the first steps is to look for trustworthy certification.
The best bicycle helmets have a Consumer Product Safety Committee (CPSC) sticker inside. This certification assures you that the helmet offers a high level of protection in an impact and that it meets helmet safety standards in the US.
Check The Materials
The materials used to manufacture your bicycle helmet also determine whether it’s safe. The best bicycle helmets have an extra strong polycarbonate outer shell that offers safety and a long lifespan. The inner shell should be made of expanded polystyrene (EPS) for greater impact protection.
The paddings in skateboard helmets and adults and kids bicycle helmets should comprise of washable extra soft foam, which offers great moisture exchange. The polycarbonate outer shell is designed to crack on impact, which spreads the energy burst across the surface. The inner shell absorbs more of the force and compresses to offer you protection.
Check For Ventilation
Your body generates heat when you exercise, and that excess heat usually radiates from your head. The material used to line BMX helmets holds heat well, which makes ventilation important.
The best bicycle helmets offer ventilation that allows air to flow over your head and remove heat. Ventilation is also important in cold weather, as it helps remove moisture from inside the helmet. Look for ventilation holes when purchasing a helmet.
Look For Reflectivity And Lights
Reflectivity may help other cyclists and road users see you when you ride in dim light or darkness. An active light is even better at helping others identify you as a cyclist.
Bike helmets for men, women, and children should have 360-degree reflectivity and at least an LED taillight.
Check For Toxicity Testing
The materials used in some bicycle helmets may be toxic, so it’s important to make sure that your helmet has been tested for toxicity.
According to Harvard University, polystyrene contains styrene and benzene, both of which are neurotoxins and may be carcinogenic. This means it’s important that bicycle helmets for women, men, and children are anti-toxic tested.
TÜV/GS testing and approval is one of the most reliable indicators that your helmet is safe to wear.
Make Sure The Helmet Fits Properly
A bicycle helmet that doesn’t fit properly won’t offer much protection. There are a few ways to check that your helmet fits properly:
- The fit should be snug but comfortable when the chin strap is buckled
- The helmet should not move up and down or from side to side
- The helmet’s bottom edge should be between 1 and 2 finger widths above your eyebrows
- The helmet should rest low on your forehead and should be level on your head
- You should be able to see the edge of the helmet when you look upward
- The straps should fit snugly against your head
- The straps should be even and should form a Y-shape that joins at the bottom of your earlobes
- You should have only enough space to insert one finger between the buckle and your chin when the chin strap is buckled
- The helmet should pull down on your head when you open your mouth
High quality helmets have a spin dial that makes it possible to find the ideal fit for your head. They also have a strap anchor offers a high tearing strength and an anti-skin pinch buckle that you can operate with one hand.
Use the information above to find the best bicycle helmet. Melon helmets combine award-winning designs with the highest safety standards for people who want to have fun - safely.