Summary: This is a checklist to verify helmet fit.
___ Level - The helmet should be level on the rider's head.
___ Rim barely visible - The front rim should be barely visible to the rider's eye
___ Y below the ear - The Y of the side straps should meet just below the ear
___ Snug strap - The chin strap should be snug against the chin so that when the rider opens their mouth very wide the helmet pulls down a little bit.
___ Skin moves a little - Move the helmet side to side and front to back, watching the skin around the rider's eyebrows. It should move slightly with the helmet. If it does not, the fit pads are probably too thin in front or back, or the helmet may even be too large.
___ Stablilizer snug - If there is a rear stabilizer, adjust it until it is snug under the bulge on the rear of the head.
___ Palm test - Have the rider put their palm on the front of the helmet and push up and back. If it moves more than an inch more fitting is required.
___ Shake test - Have the rider shake their head around. This can be fun. If the helmet dislodges, work on the strap adjustments.
___ Ask about comfort - Ask the rider if the helmet is comfortable and check to make sure there are no comfort issues that still need to be addressed.
___ Be ready to switch - Not all helmets fit all heads. Be prepared to use a different helmet if the one you are fitting just will not work for this rider.
Helmet facts in plain language.
What is a bike helmet
A helmet protects your brain when you fall. It has a plastic shell on the outside and foam inside. It has a strap to keep it on when you fly through the air. It only covers your head, and the rest of your body is still exposed. So you still have to be careful.
How does a helmet work?
The foam crushes when you hit the road. That cushions the blow, and usually saves your brain. The shell makes it skid on the street so your neck does not get jerked. The shell also keeps the foam in one piece. It can split when you hit the car and not be there when you hit the street.
If the strap is not right, your helmet can slip to the side or to the back. Then your bare head hits the road. Ouch. Pavement is very very hard.
Why wear one?
Being careful and not crashing is the best way. That's better than crashing in a helmet! The helmet only covers your head. So you need to learn the rules of the road and how to ride with them. But even the best riders crash. If you hurt your brain it can change you. You may not be able to read this page, or play video games, or talk, or run, or tie you own shoes or even feed yourself.
Some people do not wear bike helmets. Don't let that stop you. You need one when you ride your bike. They do too, but they just don't know it yet.
How do I pick one?
A magazine called Consumer Reports can tell you which helmets are best. But they don't test very many helmets.
Find a helmet that fits you. That's really the most important part. That will keep it on your head while you fly through the air or over the handlebars. Work on the straps to get the fit just right. You will probably need somebody to help you do that.
You don't have to pay a lot for a good helmet. But be sure it fits you, you like it and you will wear it.
Your helmet is good for only one bad crash. That damages the foam and you have to replace it. So you can wear a bike helmet to skate if you use inline skates and don't crash every day. For skateboards where you do crash a lot, you need a different helmet that recovers after a crash.
