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Bike safety

Heads up-
Don’t be hard-headed; wear your helmet
By Eric and Kathy Schramm

Here’s some information that helps take the guesswork out of bike helmets. 
How they work 
The bicycle helmet is composed of a foam liner that acts like a shock absorber.  When your head hits a hard surface, the helmet reduces the force of impact to your head by increasing the duration of impact time between your head and the pavement i.e. (longer time, less injury).  The plastic skin on the outside of the helmet is more than just for looks.   It is designed to cause your head to skid if it strikes the pavement. This disperses the energy of the impact and also lessens the blow to your head. However your helmet needs to be worn properly, to work correctly.

How they fit
1.  A helmet should be level on your head and cover the majority of your forehead, with only and inch or so of forehead exposed above your eyebrows.
2.  Wait, don’t buckle it just yet.  Without the straps fastened, move the helmet from side to side and front to back.  Is there any movement?  If so, then in the front of the helmet replace the pads, with the thicker pads provided.  Did that snug it up enough?  If not, try a smaller size helmet and repeat step one.
3. Ok, now it’s time to adjust the straps.  Stay calm, this can take a little time. (Standing in front of a mirror can help).  There are four straps that need adjusting to get a proper fit.  Each ear strap is made up of two straps front and back.  When adjusted correctly, each ear strap should meet at the buckle (or snap lock) just beneath your ear lobes, without any slack in the straps.
4. Next adjust the chin strap. It should be snug, and allow room for one or two fingers between the strap and your chin.  Open your mouth wide (like when you yawn). Is the strap or buckle pinching your neck?  If so, slightly loosen the strap and try again. When you have the chin strap where you want it, move the loose end of the strap through the rubber “O” ring, and snug it up to keep the strap from slipping.
5.  Check you helmet by moving you head from side to side, backward and forwards. Then try to push the helmet backward over your head by placing the palm of your hand on the helmet and pushing back.  If it slides back, then slightly tighten only the front ear straps, and test it again. 

When to replace?
Always replace your helmet after a crash.  The foam is designed to withstand only one impact. Also replace you helmet when it’s five years old.  The foam decomposes over time and its ability to absorb an impact is greatly reduced. When you buy a helmet, look for the Snell, ANSI or ASTM stickers, which are proof of a rigorous safety testing. 

Statistically speaking
According to Consumer Reports, April ‘98 reported,  “Of the 757 bicyclist killed in motor-vehicle accidents in 1996, 96 percent reportedly weren’t wearing a helmet”.  Whenever you get on your bike, even for short trips, always wear a helmet. But remember that wearing a helmet is not an excuse to disobey traffic laws! 

   "It was a very damp November morning.  I was on my way to school, bicycling down a quite side street.  In the process of turning a corner, I rode through a small, seemly innocent patch of wet leaves.   Next, my rear bike tire went into a skid, and my entire bike seemed to just slide out from under me.  In a split second, I went from an upright sitting position, to lying on my side in the middle of the street.  Even four years later, I still vividly recall how it felt to hit my helmet on the pavement.  When my head hit the blacktop, it bounced (like a basketball) at least twice, before coming to a rest. It happened so fast, that it was virtually impossible to shelter my head from the impact, with either my arms or hands.   I was very lucky.  My helmet, stayed in place and took the brunt of the impact. I was able to get up and bike away with only a broken collarbone.  I’m sure that if I hadn’t had a helmet on, I really doubt if I’d be biking today." Kathy Schramm

This article first appeared in the Wisconsin State Journal, Breakaway Recreation and Fitness section under the In Gear column on May 6, 1998.