There are many good reasons for wearing a helmet when cycling, not the least being a fine of $344 if caught not wearing one in NSW. If you want to come on a Bike North ride, it is compulsory that you wear a helmet. There are at least six Bike North members who have unexpectedly fallen and their helmets saved them from more severe injuries, possibly death.
Every helmet sold in Australia must comply with Australian Standard AS/NZS 2063 and be fitted with a compliance sticker.
This however is a minimum standard with various models going well beyond that to provide additional levels of protection with systems such as MIPS. Some members will spend hundreds of dollars on a top-of-the-range helmet to ensure this level of protection then not maximize the benefit of the design.
For a helmet to provide maximum protection, it is essential that it is fitted correctly, yet many are not. Here are a few steps.
Step 1: Do some online research to determine which brand/ model provides the feature you want within your price range. Various technologies are available and a few minutes of on-line research can be very valuable.
Step 2: When you buy a helmet, try it on to ensure it is not too large or too small. It should sit on your head and not move around excessively, whilst not providing pressure points, for example, on the forehead. If you wear something under your helmet, such as a Bike North helmet cap, to stop sun burn through the vents, wear it when trying it on.
Step 3: All helmets will have an adjustment to make it fit snugly. This can be a dial in the helmet or one at the rear. Adjust this so it fits whilst still being comfortable. Long hair should be considered when adjusting the helmet.
Step 4: Position your helmet so that it sits just two fingers above your eyebrows.
Having the helmet on the back of your head means it is too loose and it will not protect your forehead in a fall.
Step 5: The side straps should fit flush with your head and join just below the ear lobe.
If the side straps are loose, the helmet can move excessively in a crash and not provide the protection you have paid for.
Step 6: Finally, connect the straps under your chin. Again the two-finger principle is used. There should be two fingers of space between the strap and your chin. Any less and it will not be comfortable, any more and it is too loose.
A Few Other Points
Helmets are designed to absorb shock with the outer shell fracturing and the foam cushioning the fall. These small fractures may not be visible to the naked eye but if your helmet has saved you once, it’s time for a new one. Even dropping it can cause fractures and reduce its effectiveness.
Over time helmets will deteriorate due to UV or just through wear. As a guide, helmets should be replaced every 3-5 years.
The vents in helmets are intended to aid cooling but also allow the sun to shine through, possibly causing sunburn. Wearing a Bike North helmet cap, or similar, can provide sun protection.
It is important to check your adjustments before every ride. No one heads out expecting a fall, but they can happen unexpectedly.
Importing a cheap, or novelty helmet from overseas may not be wise. It probably will not carry the required compliance sticker and so could land you with a fine, or worse if it provides sub-standard protection.