Bike Helmets & Safety Tips for Bicyclists

Video Transcript

" This is Jim Toledano for Expert Village and we’re going to talk about helmets. Aside from the bicycle, this is the only other absolutely indispensable part of riding a bike. The helmet’s designed to protect your head. If you hit the ground, the likelihood if you head hits the ground is that you’ll get a concussion, serious injury, or perhaps get killed. A helmet is designed to put something between you and whatever it is you hit. It’s designed of hard plastic; inside it has padding. You put it on flat like this. You don’t tip it forward; you don’t tip it back. When you buy a helmet, you make sure it’s one that’s snug but not too tight on your head. Helmet straps; the purpose of the strap is to keep your helmet on you when you’re falling or otherwise off the bike and on your way to the ground. It should be tightened. The straps should tightened so you can get no more than two fingers between your chin and the strap. Helmets are adjustable. This little piece slides up and down. You loosen it and it slides up and down, so you fit, and make sure it fits, so that when you’re wearing it doesn’t jump around and it doesn’t fall off. Helmets also have holes in them. The purpose of the holes is to get air in. The more holes, obviously, the better it is for really hot weather. Make sure you get a new helmet every two years to keep your head safe. If the helmet’s on right, it should be comfortable; you shouldn’t feel it. Other than the fact you know you’re wearing something and it shouldn’t get in your way. Some helmets have a visor, some don’t. They call the helmets with visors mountain bike helmets for some reason, but there’s no law that says you can’t wear it for rode biking, and I wear mine for rode biking. Helmets last about two years. If you’re in an accident, your helmet does hit the ground, get rid of it, get a new one because any impact with the ground on a helmet is going to do damage and it’s not as safe as it’s supposed to be. After two years, the affect of sunlight and air on the helmet will cause the plastic to deteriorate. Make sure you get a new helmet every two years to keep your head safe. "