Bicycle Helmets for Children
Question:
Why are bicycle helmets important for children, what should a parent look for in a helmet, how should they
be worn, and is there any other information i should know?
Answer:
A bicycle helmet is the single most effective safety device for reducing head injury and death from biking
accidents and mishaps. They can reduce the risk of head injury by up to 85 percent. Most deaths related to
bicycle falls and collisions involve head injuries. Wearing a helmet can save your child's life. Sixty
percent of all childhood bicycle-related fatalities occur on small neighborhood roads and the typical
bicycle crash occurs within a single mile of home.
All bicycle helmets manufactured in or imported into the United States, since March 1999, must meet
mandatory safety standards as issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Look for the
sticker on the helmet stating that the helmet meets the CPSC safety standard. This sticker insures that the
helmet provides a high degree of head protection when biking. If you have an older helmet that meets
voluntary standards such as ATSM, Snell, or ANSI you do not need to replace it with a new helmet.
Helmets should be worn whenever a child gets on a bicycle or tricycle - no exceptions. Additionally if your
child rides in a bicycle child carrier, they should also have a helmet. Children under the age of 1 should
never ride in a bicycle child carrier.
Helmets can save lives and prevent trauma, but only if they are worn properly
(fig.1).
A helmet should be worn squarely on the top of the head, covering the top of the forehead. The chinstrap
must be fastened and the helmet should fit snugly and comfortably. The helmet should not be able to move
side-to-side or front-to-back. Most helmets come with removable pads so you can customize the fit for any
child.
Children's helmets can last several years, however they should be replaced after an accident or if they no
longer fit properly.
There are laws in some states mandating the wearing of bicycle helmets, check the list below for the
specific laws in your state.
US Helmet Laws
References:
Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute www.bhsi.org
The American Academy of Pediatrics http://www.aap.org