Helmet Fit Safety Check
07/07/2017
Our friends at Pedalheads® love seeing all the fun and colourful helmets and bikes that children arrive at their camps and classes with. However, a helmet and bike that fit properly are most important to ensure biking success and enjoyment.
They estimate at least 50% of kids who are sent to camp do not have a properly fitted bike or helmet.
CHECKING THE HELMET
IS IT ADJUSTABLE FOR HEAD SIZE?
- Turn your child’s helmet upside down
- Look inside to see if the helmet can be adjusted so it is snug to your child’s head.
- There will be a dial or similar feature you can turn to tighten or loosen the helmet.
- If your child’s helmet is not adjustable it will only fit one size of head.
- We strongly suggest a helmet that has an adjustable dial.
- From our experience skateboard or dome style helmets rarely fit properly.
IS IT TOO BIG?
- Place your child’s helmet on their head
- Keep straps off (straps will not affect the head fit).
- Have child shake their head front to back and side to side.
- Helmet should not move front to back or side to side.
- If there is movement and no adjustable dial the helmet is too big.
IS IT TOO SMALL?
- Place your child’s helmet on their head.
- Face your child.
- Check that there is no more than a two finger gap between your eyebrows and the front part of the helmet.
- If the helmet sits too high on your child’s head then the helmet is too small.
For more information about helmet safety, click here to see a video from Pedalheads.
CHECKING THE BIKE
Beginner Riders
- Sit your child on their bike seat.
- Feet should be resting flat-footed on the ground.
- Hands should be gripping the handlebars with a slight bend at the elbow.
Advanced Riders
- Sit your child on their bike seat.
- The ball of their foot should be on the ground.
- Hands should be gripping the handlebars with a slight bend at the elbow.
For more information on Pedals Heads Classes & Camps or to learn more about their new Heroheads program, visit their website!
Leave a Reply