December 20 , 2002, #4

Let's Walk & Roll

Don’t use your head: Helmet law and safety

On January 1, 2003, a new state law (SB 1924) will require all people under 18 years of age to wear a helmet while operating or riding on any bicycle, non-motorized scooter, skateboard, in-line skates, or roller skates. Here are some important tips to help you select, adjust, and wear a helmet correctly.

But first, why wear a helmet at all? Many people wrongly assume that a helmet will do very little good if you are hit by a car. This is untrue, as Audrey and John can personally attest, and a helmet also protects you from accidents that involve just falling down. All it takes is a blow to the noggin to cause complications--like an ambulance ride to the hospital or brain surgery. And a mind is a terrible thing to….

Rule #1: Wear it every time you ride. Wearing a helmet reduces the risk of serious injury, just like buckling your seat belt every time you get in a car. Dangling your helmet from the handlebars only protects your handlebars. And while you may not want to scuff up your hand grips, we can assure you that your gray matter is more important.

Rule #2: Make sure it fits. Helmets need to fit snugly in order to protect your head in a crash. A loose fit (meaning the helmet wiggles front-to-back or side-to-side) or loose helmet straps allow your skull to bounce around inside the helmet on impact. Bouncing your brain around like a rubber ball inside your head is not a good idea. Add or subtract the sizing pads inside the helmet to achieve a snug fit, and then adjust the helmet straps so they keep the helmet securely on your head.

The chin straps should keep the helmet level on your head, and be just loose enough to fit one or two fingers between your chin and your chin strap. (Make sure that you can comfortably talk and swallow, but without slack in the chinstrap.) Helmets should never be worn tilted back on the head: this leaves your delicate forehead and temples--the most likely impact points on your skull--unprotected. It also gives you a bad case of helmet hair.

Rule #3: Hang up your helmet when not in use. A helmet that is dropped or banged around when empty quickly loses its ability to protect your head.

Rule #4: Replace any helmet that has been in a crash. If you hit your head and “use” the helmet, replace it immediately. The inner foam liner crushes to absorb an impact, and it can only do this job once. Many manufacturers offer their customers’ discounts on replacement helmets, so save your instructions and contact the manufacturer if yours gets crashed.

Rule #5: Helmets have a lifespan of five years. The foam liner becomes brittle and loses its original ability to “crush” and absorb impact over time (just like an old Styrofoam cooler), regardless of how well it is cared for. Check the manufacturer’s date sticker inside your helmet. If the sticker is missing or the helmet is over five years old, destroy and replace it.

Rule #6: Bright colored helmets are more visible in traffic. Dark-colored helmets are both hard to see (especially at night, in fog, or in the rain) and they’re hotter in the summer. White and yellow are the most visible colors.

Protect yourself and your children by wearing helmets properly. If you are not sure that your helmet fits properly, stop by your local bike shop. They know all about proper helmet fit and care, and can help you with a good fit and a comfortable helmet. BikeAlameda can also offer assistance at its Valet Bike Parking booth at local events, or at www.bikealameda.org.

Jeff Swatman is the Alameda Police Department Traffic Sergeant. If you have questions regarding pedestrian/bicycle safety, please call him at 748-4508 extension 3342. John Knox White and Audrey Lord-Hausman work with Pedestrian Friendly Alameda (www.pedfriendly.org) and BikeAlameda (www.bikealameda.org).

Go Back