| When you're riding your bike, your most important | | | | - Always replace a helmet after you crash. Period. |
| piece of safety gear is a helmet that fits. Helmets are | | | | The helmet's compressible foam absorbs the energy |
| designed to cushion and protect riders' heads from the | | | | of the crash. Once it has absorbed energy, the foam |
| impact of a crash. Like safety belts in cars, helmets | | | | does not recover. It may not look deformed, but it has |
| cannot provide total protection against head injury or | | | | lost its capacity to absorb energy. A helmet that has |
| death, but they can reduce the risk of both. | | | | been through one crash will not protect you from a |
| Nearly 70 percent of fatal bicycle crashes involve | | | | second one. |
| head injuries, according to the US Department of | | | | - For the most current ratings of helmets check the |
| Transportation (DOT), yet only one in four cyclists | | | | most recent review in Consumer Reports. |
| wear helmets when they ride. Wearing a helmet | | | | - No matter how effective and safe your helmet is, it |
| dramatically increases your odds of surviving a crash, | | | | only protects you if you wear it. |
| and also reduces the risk of a traumatic brain injury. | | | | Other important safety equipment |
| The DOT estimates that if all children age 4 to 15 | | | | Protective clothing can prevent injuries and reduce the |
| wore helmets when they rode bicycles, 45,000 head | | | | seriousness of injuries to arms and legs, hands and |
| injuries and 55,000 scalp and face injuries could be | | | | feet. Protective clothing includes: |
| prevented every year. | | | | Eye protection: Riders should protect their eyes |
| Helmets decrease the severity of head injuries, the | | | | against insects, dirt, rocks and other debris, and tearing |
| number of days spent in the hospital, and the overall | | | | and blurred vision from the wind. Good quality goggles |
| cost of medical care after a bicycle crash. Helmets | | | | or glasses with plastic or safety lenses can provide a |
| also protect their riders from dust, rocks, and other | | | | measure of protection. Goggles and glasses should be |
| debris thrown up by other vehicles. | | | | unscratched, shatter proof, and ventilated to prevent |
| The first bicycle helmet law was passed in California in | | | | fog buildup. |
| 1986 and became effective in 1987. The law was | | | | Jackets and pants: Clothing should be tough enough to |
| amended in 1994 and now covers everyone under 18. | | | | provide some protection from road rash if you're |
| The following are recommendations for buying and | | | | tossed from your bike. Avoid pants with that are |
| fitting a helmet. | | | | excessively baggy, or wide at the bottom; these |
| - Make sure your helmet fits to get all the protection | | | | present a greater risk of tangling in the chain. |
| that you're paying for. A helmet that fits well will sit | | | | Gloves: Wear gloves that give you a solid grip on the |
| level on your head, touching all points of your head. It | | | | handlebars, brakes, and shift levers. Leather gives the |
| should fit snugly, with no pressure points. | | | | best grip. Leather gloves or fabric gloves with leather |
| - Your helmet should be comfortable. You're not | | | | palms and grip strips on the fingers get the job done. |
| looking for a fit tight enough to squeeze your head. | | | | Choose a safe bike |
| - Try to pull the helmet off. If you can, don't buy it. | | | | Choose a bicycle that's a comfortable fit for you. |
| - When you move the helmet, it shouldn't have much | | | | When you're astride the bicycle you should be able to |
| play, a maximum of t an inch in any direction. | | | | touch the ground with both feet. Seat height, seat |
| - The strap is as important as the helmet: it holds your | | | | angle, handlebar style, and handlebar height all |
| helmet on your head. Check the latch and the strap to | | | | contribute to ease of handling. Have an experienced |
| be sure they're strong enough for the job. | | | | bicycle sales person adjust all these so that you feel |
| - High visibility is very important; it can save your life. | | | | comfortable on your bike, and can handle it easily. |
| Choose a helmet in white or a light color. Wearing a | | | | Check the brakes and the shift levers, and make sure |
| dark-colored helmet increases the risk that a driver will | | | | you can reach and operate them without strain. |
| not see you, especially at night. | | | | |