If you enjoy riding your bike, don’t forget to wear your helmet. Even though not every state requires it, it’s the best way to protect yourself from serious injuries from a tragic bicycle accident. In 2009, 91 percent of bicyclists killed were not wearing helmets, and helmet use reduces head injury risk by around 85 percent.
It’s important not only to wear a helmet, but to choose one that will protect you well. Here are four tips on choosing the best bicycle helmet:
- Choose the right type: Depending on the type of cycling you enjoy doing, it’s important to choose a helmet that fits your needs:
- Sport helmets: great for recreational bikers and commuters
- Road bike helmets: perfect for cyclists who ride for miles and miles on the road
- Mountain bike helmets: ventilate well at low speeds and have better rear-head coverage
- Choose the right size: You can measure your head by wrapping a flexible tape measure around the largest portion of your head, which is about one inch above your eyebrows. You can also wrap a string or ribbon around your head, and then measure the length of it with a ruler. Then choose a helmet that matches your measurement.
- Adjust it to a proper fit: Your helmet should be snug but not painfully tight. It should sit level on your head, and not be tilted back. The front edge should be no more than a width of two fingers above your eyebrows in order to protect your forehead. Try pushing the helmet. If it shifts an inch or more, adjust the sizing wheel to tighten the fit.
If you are ever in a biking accident, make sure you replace your helmet, even if it looks ok since it might be damaged internally.
If you or a loved one were ever the victim of a Texas biking accident, you deserve justice and compensation. Contact the Dallas bicycle accident lawyers at Crowe Arnold & Majors, LLP today and set-up your free, no-obligation consultation.
