subject: A Guide To Wearing Bmx Helmets [print this page] Wearing a BMX helmet is the solution to minimizing head injuries while riding your BMX bike. Several countries have introduced mandatory helmets laws. For countries that do not have any such helmet laws, it is advisable for bike riders to very cautious about equipping themselves with proper helmets to ensure their safety. Also, the parents should take care that every time their children go out for cycling, they should wear a helmet.
Different Types of BMX helmets
Nowadays you can easily find different types of BMX helmets, such as open face BMX helmets and full face BMX helmets. You can also find helmets classified as youth, women and child helmets. Helmets for toddler, youth and child should fit the proper age range. Women helmets are designed keeping in mind the facial structure of a woman.
Safety Standards
Different states have different safety standards. The BMX helmets you wear must meet appropriate guidelines for your age. The safety features and labeling are designed to help the state frame the bicycle protection laws. Make sure that the helmet you buy should meet the CPSC safety standards.
Properly Wearing a Helmet
To offer proper protection, a helmet must fit snugly without obstructing the riders vision. The helmet must be placed flat on your head. It should not be tilted and neither should it lean forward and backward. The chin strap should be fastened tightly and the buckle should be adjusted according to the chin size of the BMX bike rider.
Replacement of Helmet
Remember that just like any other hardware, BMX helmets also have a life span. A helmet does not last for a lifetime. In case of an accident, the helmet should not be reused anymore and must be replaced. Also, if the helmet is not offering a snug fit it should be replaced immediately. Even when there is no visible damage, it is advisable to replace the helmet once in every three years.
Based on statistics, head injuries are the reason for more than 60 percent of the death caused due to bike accidents. Statistics also reveal that the average cyclist killed in the US roads is mostly male rider who was not wearing any helmet. Although wearing a helmet does not guarantee 100 percent safety from head injuries, but the chances of injuries are greatly reduced. Bikers without a helmet are more likely to die in an accident as compared to riders who wear a helmet. In addition to visible head injuries, a helmet also helps in reducing brain injuries by up to 88 percent.
