Skull security: Everything you need to know about buying a bicycle helmet
by: Stephen Surgener
Posted on: Thursday, January 3rd, 2008 at 10:44 am by: Stephen Surgener
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This year, approximately 1300 people in the U.S. will die as the result of a bicycle accident. The majority of those deaths will be due to head injuries. Though the cost of entry-level bicycle helmets start around $10, on a national average, only 25% of children under 18 years of age wear one. Of the deaths associated with bicycle accidents, approximately 75% were vehicle verses bicycle.
In 1986, these statistics came very close to home. While crossing a street less than a mile from my house, I was broadsided by a speeding car. It was just an August afternoon trip to a buddy’s house, through a mostly residential area, and I was just too cool to wear a helmet when riding my red Diamondback beach cruiser.
It was “just” 8 days of hospitalization, 5 surgeries on my leg, and 2 years before I ever rode again. The realization that it truly was “just”, was found in visiting a young man in a coma who had also been hit by a car, but at half the speed of the one that hit me.
Regardless of your own cycling experiences, there are no arguments against helmets being a fundamental part of safe riding practices. But how much do we really know about the bicycle helmet? Test yourself with these questions: How important are price, fit, or design? How much of an impact are helmets rated for? Who manufactures the best helmets? Do helmets go bad?
Many people often make price a priority when shopping for a helmet. However, certified bicycle helmets, whether $10 or $100, have only marginal differences in levels of protection. Fit and design, should be the dominant concerns.
According to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, properly fitting helmets are snug, level, and stable. The helmet needs to fit firm, and low on the head (just above the ears is good), level from front to back, with the straps comfortably adjusted to prevent the helmet from shifting during impact. A great way to test a fit is to strap on the helmet and move it around on your head. If it is comfortable, but your eyebrows move with the helmet, it’s a good fit. Design is a major priority with the youth; if it isn’t cool, they won’t wear it. However, it is also an important consideration for safety. Many helmets are specifically designed for either street use, or off road use. The fundamental difference between the two are the size, and number of air flow openings. Because of the higher number of objects such as tree limbs, and rocks found in off road use, it is better to purchase helmets with a smoother exterior. Even though it has less air flow, the smoother surface helps protect against snagging on objects in the event of a crash.
As I mentioned, price has marginal bearing on the effectiveness of one helmet over another. All major manufacturers design helmets to meet, or slightly exceed industry standards of withstanding the impact of a drop from 2 meters (approx. 6.5ft) onto an anvil. This test equates to an impact at roughly 14mph. It may seem like a low standard as your child flies by at 25mph, but keep in mind, this is a direct impact rating. The 14mph standard takes into account that the vast majority of accident impact other parts of the body initially, and therefore absorb momentum before impacting the head.
Even though all bike helmets are designed around this standard, one manufacturer stands out with a proven track record of quality. In a 2006 Consumer Reports tested major brand bicycle helmets. Three of the four helmets rated superior for impact performance, were part of the Bell product line; the Citi, the Slant, and the Boomerang toddler model. With prices ranging from $30-$75, Bell has made consistent quality available to a wide range of budgets. Combine this with excellent distribution, and it is easy to see why Bell helmets have been an industry leader for decades, and a favorite of this consumer every time I replace a helmet. That’s right, helmets do in fact go bad.
The most important time to replace a helmet is after a crash, even if the helmet appears to be intact. Bike helmets are designed for a single crash only. Because of the nature of their expanded foam construction, crashing, throwing, kicking, or even sitting on, a helmet compromises its effectiveness. Other factors that have negative effects on performance are excessive sun exposure, prolonged exposure to heavy moisture, and age. Personally, I replace my helmet every year, regardless of condition. In the end, it just makes sense.
