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Helmets are an essential part of keeping your child safe while riding a bike. Since 2017, helmets have been mandatory on bicycles for children under the age of 12, including if they are passengers. But do you know what criteria to consider when choosing a road bike helmet or mountain bike helmet suitable for your child?
Choosing an approved helmet
To best ensure your child's safety, you need to make sure that the helmet you choose meets safety standards.
So, for cycling, the helmet must have CE or NF EN 1078 approval. Some helmets, intended for both cycling and winter sports, meanwhile, will carry the EN 1077 standard.
This standard is easily verifiable because it is required to be written on a label inside the helmet.
Choosing a helmet that fits
As with purchasing a helmet intended for an adult, the first step is to choose a helmet that fits the child's size. To do this, you need to measure his or her head size with a flexible tape measure. Starting from the middle of the forehead, measure above the eyebrows for the front and at the most bulging level at the back of the skull, passing over the ears.
In fact, a helmet that is too large could move in the event of a fall and not fulfill its role of protecting your child's head.
Today, there are helmets suitable for all ages, including babies from 9-12 months for rides in the bike rack or in a trailer.
Finally, most brands offer adjustable helmets that can accommodate children's growth over several months.
Choosing the right helmet for your practice
There are several types of helmets that are suitable for each practice:
- For family rides or biking to school, helmets that are comfortable and well ventilated so you don't sweat too much will be just fine;
- If your child practices Mountain Biking, it might be useful to turn to a helmet with a visor that, in addition to protecting him from the sun, will also protect him from branches;
- For the BMX, it will be better to choose a bowl helmet, which will also be suitable for scooter riding;
- For the rides of the smallest in the bike seat, make sure that the back of the helmet is compatible with the ergonomics of the seat so that your child does not feel discomfort.
Choose a helmet he likes
Bicycle helmet manufacturers quickly realized that in order to appeal to younger riders, they had to make the models attractive so that they would want to wear it every day. That's why there are now helmet models available in different colors, suitable for both girls and boys.
For the little ones, some helmets are even decorated with designs featuring their favorite heroes for example.
So, if you want your child to wear his helmet willingly, or even claim it on his own every time he wants to ride his bike, let him choose it.
How to set it up
Once your child has chosen his helmet model and you have checked his size, it is appropriate to adjust the helmet so that it fits his head perfectly.
The helmet should be worn horizontally, above the eyebrows. Above all, it should not come up to the top of the forehead, otherwise its effectiveness would be greatly diminished in the event of a fall.
The helmet should be worn horizontally, above the eyebrows
To adjust it, place it on your child's head, adjust the knob on the back of the helmet until it fits your child's head perfectly (the helmet should not move when he tilts his head). Next, adjust the side straps which should form a Y shape under the ears. Regarding the chinstrap, once the strap is buckled, you should be able to pass 1 finger between the strap and the chin.
When should it be changed?
As with an adult bicycle helmet, you will need to consider changing your helmet if you fall. Indeed, the shock taken by the helmet may no longer provide optimal protection in the event of another fall.
It is also advisable to change it every 2 years if the helmet is made of PVC or every 5 years if the helmet is made of polycarbonate, as well as in case of helmet failure (lining that comes off, damaged strap, closure problem, etc.), and obviously if your child grows up and the helmet becomes too small.
With all these tips, getting your offspring used to wearing a bike helmet should be a breeze...and will quickly become a reflex, including for the future when they are a teenager or adult.
