Local emergency rooms are already seeing a rise in bike injuries this season, and doctors say the right helmet could prevent many of the most serious ones. But not just any helmet will do. Experts say it needs to be certified, properly fitted, and worn with the strap fastened under your chin.
According to the CDC, nearly 1,000 bicyclists die in crashes involving a motor vehicle each year. About 120,000 others are taken to the emergency room after being hurt on a bike, and head injuries are among the most common outcomes.
“Those head injuries come about because they don’t have the protection of a helmet,” said Rich O’Brien, executive director of TIC Council Americas, a trade association that tests, inspects, and certifies products including bike helmets. “And when I say not the protection, that means they’re either not wearing a helmet, they either have a noncompliant helmet or the helmet doesn’t fit properly.”
The most protective helmets meet U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission requirements. O’Brien says to look for a label inside the helmet confirming it has been tested and certified.
He also warns against buying knockoffs. The safest way to avoid them is to shop at a reputable retailer.
“I would suggest going to a bicycle store to buy a helmet,” O’Brien said.
Buying in person also gives you the chance to try it on before you leave the store.
How to get the right fit
A helmet that does not fit correctly offers far less protection than one that does. Here is how to check yours:
- Level placement: The helmet should sit level on your head — not tilted back — with the front edge one to two finger-widths above your eyebrows.
- Snug without straps: It should feel snug even before you fasten the chin strap, and it should not slide when you shake your head.
- Strap positioning: Adjust the straps so they form a “V” shape under each ear.
- Chin strap: Buckle the strap and tighten it until you can fit one or two fingers underneath.
- Stability check: If you try to push the helmet up off your head, it should stay in place.
“If it doesn’t fit or it’s not compliant, then the chances are that your injury is gonna be much worse than it would have otherwise,” O’Brien said.
If you ride an e-bike at speeds above 20 mph, a standard bicycle helmet is not enough. Experts say you need a helmet specifically rated for higher speeds, with more coverage on the back and sides of the head. A full-face e-bike helmet also helps protect the chin and jaw.