Buying the Right Bike and Helmet

WHEN you think of bicycle safety for your child, the first thing that should come to mind is the wearing of a helmet. Research has shown that bicycle helmets can reduce head and brain injuries in bicycle accidents by as much as 88 per cent. Surely, this is enough reason to insist on the use of helmets at all times whether it is you out riding or your young child.

Your choice of a helmet is also important. Make sure it fits properly. Select a brand and size that fits well prior to any adjustments. When choosing a helmet for a child, buy one that fits now, not one for the child to grow into. Most helmets come with adjustable pads to ensure a better fit.

Getting a proper helmet fit takes time ­ as much as half an hour. So, don’t go shopping for a helmet when you are pressed for time. Once the adjustments are made, you can secure the straps so the helmet will be ready for the next ride. A properly adjusted bicycle helmet fits comfortably and securely. It should be worn level on the head, not tilted back on the crown or pulled low over the forehead. Once the helmet is adjusted, you should not be able to move it more than about two centimetres in any direction.

All cycling clubs insist that their members wear helmets. But the best way for children to learn about the importance of wearing a helmet is from their parents. So set an example for your children by always wearing a helmet when cycling.

There are also some factors to take into account when buying a bicycle. One of the most important is purchasing one that is the right size for the child. Many parents look for a bike that their child will grow into. But a bicycle of the wrong size, especially one that’s too large, may cause your child to lose control and be injured.

Here are three simple tests when checking for proper fit for a child:

• While sitting on the seat with hands on the handlebar, your child must be able to place the balls of both feet on the ground
• Straddling the center bar, your child should be able to keep both feet flat on the ground with about a 2.5 centimetre clearance between the crotch and the bar
• If you are buying a bike with hand brakes for an older child, ensure that the child can easily grasp the brakes and apply enough pressure to stop the bicycle

Also, do not pressurize a child to ride a two-wheeled bike until he or she is ready, usually not before about age five or six. Consider the child’s co-ordination and enthusiasm to learn to ride. Stick with pedal brakes until the child is older and more experienced. Parent training and supervising is needed with new and young riders.

back