Why Wear a Bicycle Helmet?

• Wearing a bicycle helmet has been shown to reduce serious head injuries by 85%
• 39% of deaths from cycling injuries occur in children under the age of 15.
• Even a low speed fall on a bicycle path can cause a serious head injury!
• As of October 15, 1995 anyone under the age of 18 must wear a certified helmet when cycling. It's the law!

How to buy the Right Helmet

There are different types of helmets for different sports and activities. This is because different sports cause different types of injuries. It is therefore important when choosing a bicycle helmet to make sure that it is specifically designed for cycling (not hockey, skiing, football, etc.) otherwise, you may not get the type of protection you need.

Check and make sure that the helmet has a certification label from one of the following organizations: Canadian Standards Association (CSA), Snell, The American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM), and The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). A certification label indicates that the helmet has been tested to withstand certain levels of impact giving you the best protection that is available.

• Helmets should have adequate vents to allow for airflow to the head.
• Avoid helmets with extremely pointed shapes, inadequate or excessive vents, dark colours, thin straps, and complicated adjustments.
• Make Sure Your Helmet Fits!
• When you place your helmet on your head, it should sit low. The brim of the helmet should be about two fingers width (1-2 cm) above the eyebrows.
• The helmet should not be tilted forwards or backwards.
• The chinstraps should go over both ears in the shape of a V. The ear should be in the middle of the V. The chinstrap should be secure around the chin, with room for one finger to fit between the strap and the chin.

Helmet Sizes

To find an approximate helmet size, measure around the head, just above the eyebrows.

Head Circumference	Helmet Size	Nominal
20 - 1/2 inches	6 - 1/2	Toddler
20 - 3/4 inches	6 - 5/8	Small
21 - 1/4inches	6 - 3/4	Medium
21 - 5/8 inches	6 - 7/8	Medium
22 inches	7	Medium
22 - 3/8 inches	7 - 1/8	Medium
22 - 3/4 inches	7 - 1/4	Large

(According to most manufacturers)

If Your Helmet is Too Small…

• Loosen chin straps
• Remove any extra foam from inside
• If the helmet is still too small, you will need to purchase a larger one!

If Your Helmet is Too Big…

• Tighten chin straps
• Add extra foam to the inside of the helmet, according to the manufacturers instructions. (Most helmets come with extra foam.)
• If the helmet is still too big, you will need to purchase a smaller one!

* When sizing a helmet, never alter the outer shell! This could damage the helmet and make it less effective in protecting you from a head injury!

Replacing Your Helmet

• Always replace your helmet after a crash. Damage may not be seen by looking at the helmet, but the inner lining may have been destroyed.
• Cracks or dents mean that you need a new helmet.
• When a helmet is five years old, it needs to be replaced because the material naturally weakens over time.

Caring For Your Helmet

• Wash in warm water with a mild soap.
• Only use paint and stickers that come with the helmet when it is purchased (other paint and glue might damage the helmet).
• Keep your helmet away from heat. Even stored in a car trunk, a helmet may become unglued and will therefore not give you effective protection against injury.
• Check the screws and straps to make sure that they are tight and working properly.