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Your child wants to discover mountain biking. Naturally, you want him to practice this activity in complete safety, and this involves choosing a good helmet. After offering you a comparative of mountain bike helmets, it is time to offer you a small guide to discover how to properly choose a mountain bike helmet for children.
The helmet, an essential accessory...and mandatory
Since 2017, the wearing of a helmet is mandatory when cycling for children under 12. This applies whether the child is a passenger or a rider of the bike. It goes without saying that, beyond this age, and in order for your child to ride safely, what's more on a mountain bike, wearing a helmet is still highly recommended. Indeed, when riding a mountain bike, the terrain encountered (pebbles, roots, rocks, etc.) are a source of additional injuries in case of a fall, which is why riding without a helmet should be avoided at all costs.
A helmet is good; a helmet with standards is better
For a helmet to guarantee its effectiveness, it must meet safety standards.
In France, for cycling, a helmet must absolutely bear the CE or NF EN 1078 standard. This standard must be written legibly on the inside of the helmet so that it can be checked at the time of purchase.
A helmet adapted to your child's size
In addition to a helmet that meets the standards, for it to guarantee maximum safety, it must be perfectly adapted to the size of your child's head. Otherwise, in case of a fall, it could move on his head.
For this, therefore, you need to take the measurement of his head circumference with a flexible meter in order to choose the helmet size that suits him. Thus, you will find helmets adapted to each age, whether for a baby (if you carry it in a baby carrier or a trailer behind your bike) or for a teenager. Some brands also offer adjustable helmets so they can adjust as your child grows.
How to adjust your child's helmet
Once you've chosen the right helmet size for your child, all you'll need to do is fit it correctly on his or her head by making some adjustments.
A helmet should always be worn horizontally, above the eyebrows. The front of the helmet should definitely not be facing upwards, otherwise your child's head would not be protected properly.
Once the helmet is placed on your child's head, you will need to adjust it with the knob located on the back of the helmet (if the model you have chosen is equipped with one) so that it is perfectly in place and does not move anymore on his head. Then, you will only have to adjust the side straps (which should form a Y under the ears). Last adjustment, once the helmet strap is closed, you should be able to pass a finger between your chin and the strap.
Choosing a helmet your child likes
In order to make sure that wearing a helmet is not a chore for your child and that he or she will happily put it on for every ride or ATV training session, it is important to choose a helmet that your child likes. To do this, do not hesitate to opt for a helmet that matches your child's tastes (colors, patterns, etc.), without forgetting to check that the model chosen meets European safety standards.
If he gets into the habit of wearing a child mountain bike helmet, before the age of 12, it will quickly become a reflex for him and will encourage him to continue to wear it when he is a teenager or when he becomes an adult.
What helmet to choose for mountain biking?
If your child rides a mountain bike, you'll need to choose a helmet that's appropriate for his or her sport. Indeed, there are different types of helmets. But, whether your child uses his mountain bike to walk in the forest with his family, whether he practices cross-country, enduro or DH, you will inevitably find a helmet suitable for his practice.
For family walks or the practice of cross-country, it will be possible to choose a classic mountain bike helmet (which can also be used on a road bike). Its specificity is to be light and ventilated: thus, your child will be protected but will not be bothered by this safety accessory. Some models specifically designed for mountain biking are equipped with visors (removable or not) to protect from the sun or branches. Other models are also equipped with LEDs on the back of the helmet to allow better visibility, especially at nightfall. This can come in handy, for example, if your child uses their bike to get home from school in the winter.
If your child rides cross-country in a slightly more committed manner or wants to discover the joys of the enduro, we recommend looking at an all mountain model. The latter has the characteristics of a classic helmet: light and ventilated, it has a visor but above all has the great advantage of also protecting the neck, quite useful in case of rear impact.
As with adults, some models are even equipped with the MIPS technology (Multi-directional Impact Protection System), which is more expensive but gives maximum protection in case of a fall, including against concussions.
If your child rides DH, enduro extensively or proves to be a real daredevil, you'll be reassured to see him or her go mountain biking equipped with a full-face helmet, either classic or hybrid (with a removable chin strap) to provide optimal protection in case of a fall. Thus, in addition to his skull and neck (as on previous models), his face will also be protected in case of a fall on the face (for example, if he goes over the handlebars).
Among the multitude of existing models, you will inevitably find your happiness and especially the model that corresponds to the discipline of mountain biking that your child practices so that he/she can go biking in complete safety.
When should you change your child's helmet?
You're probably wondering when to change your child's mountain bike helmet. First, it should be changed when your child grows up and the helmet gets too small. But that's not the only reason.
As with any helmet, you'll want to consider replacing your child's helmet if it's dropped or bumped on it because, even if it appears to you to be intact, it won't be able to take another bump afterwards. This could therefore have consequences for your child's health in the event of another fall with a damaged helmet.
In addition, if there is a visible problem with the helmet (crack, lining coming off, damaged strap, etc.), change it immediately, even if it has not suffered an impact.
As a general rule, it is recommended that a PVC helmet be replaced every two years, while a polycarbonate helmet will need to be renewed every five years (excluding failures).
Now that you know how to choose an ATV helmet for your child, how about the best enduro ATV helmets or how to choose your full face ATV helmet?
