• How to buy a helmet and other Frequently Asked Questions.

• Our Consumer's Guide to Bicycle Helmets

KidsDirect's Guide to how
NOT to be hit by a car while riding a bike

One of every seven children has a head injury when a bike accident happens. The best protection against head injuries is a well-fitting helmet that meets the safety rules of the American National Standards Institute. 

Buy your child a helmet to maximize your child's safety from the first day he starts to learn riding a bicycle. The helmet may have a foam shell or a hard shell. Buy helmets that are tested and approved. It should have an approval sticker from either SNELL or ANSI Z90.4. Also make sure to buy a correctly fitting helmet. It should fit snugly so it will not move around on the head or come off in a fall. The helmet should be worn over the forehead, not tipped back. The front edge should be only 1 inch above the eyebrows. Over time, the foam fitting pads inside the helmet wear down and may need to be replaced to ensure a snug fit. It is good to replace the entire helmet every 3 to 5 years, especially if it is worn in the sun a lot.

Tip: To help your child to remember to put the helmet on before every ride, have the child hang the helmet from the handlebars when not riding the bicycle. 

KidsDirect's Guide to how
NOT to be hit by a car while riding a bike

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