Helmet is a passive safety equipment as the seatbelt in the cars: it won’t prevent an accident, but if it is occured, the helmet can reduce the chance of a serious injury of the cyclist’s head. For the participants of Safe4Cycle program wearing a helmet during the cycle courses is an obligatory.

How to choose the right helmet? We can find several different helmets on the market, and it seems difficult to choose the proper one. But the principle is very simple, it is similar to buying shoes: you have to find the right size, and then the most comfortable helmet. Of course, there are some more additional aspects. A good helmet

• Fits for its owners size and shape of the head.
• Protects the scruff, the temples and the forehead both.
• Allows the cyclist turn his or her head every directions, furthermore allows to eat or drink.
• Is made of expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam covered with a tough-but-thin plastic shell.
• Has several vents for cooling the cyclist’s head. The more vents that are on the helmet, the cooler the helmet will keep the cyclist.
• Has an anti-insect netting.
• Must be certified and labelled with a European CE EN1078 standard sticker.

How to adjust a helmet? It is important to set the helmet correctly, otherwise it won’t save properly the cyclist head from any injuries. Low, level, and snug: that's how your helmet should sit on your head. First of all let’s see the parts of a helmet.

1. Shell
2. Retention cradle adjustment system (head ring)
3. Rear strap
4. Front strap
5. Slider
6. Chin strap
7. Buckle

1. The size of the helmet

To make sure that the helmet actually has the right size, attach the helmet and bow with tightened head ring and open chin strap. If the helmet remains seated firmly on the head, the right helmet is found. (Hold your hands to catch ready so the helmet does not fall to the ground.)

There are several sizes, usually it is marked on the box of a new helmet, and inside the helmet. You can find sizes as in clothing (XS-XL) and/or in centimetres (for example 50-57 cm).

2. Mounting the helmet

The helmet should cover and protect the scruff, the temples and the forehead both. If the helmet tilts back and exposes your forehead, it's not going to protect you. The helmet should sit level on your head, and the rim of the helmet shall be about two finger width above the eyes.

3. Head ring

Using the retention cradle adjustment system can be adjusted very precisely to give a stable fit. The head ring should be as tight and comfortable as it possible.

4. Setting the straps

The buckle and chin area of the strap should fit close to the underside of the chin once fastened. However, they should allow you to open your mouth to eat or drink water from your bottle. Between the chin strap and your chin should be about a finger wide space. The upper part of the helmet straps will fit you best when it creates a v-shape formed just beneath your ear lobe. Front and rear strap should form a triangle around the ear on both sides.

Some more practical advices on bicycle helmets:

1. If you wear glasses or sunglasses, temples should be necessarily outside the straps – so the glasses can disappear and avoid possible injury of the eyes in case of a fall.
2. The padding in a helmet makes wearing it comfortable and also help to absorb sweat. Many helmets have removable padding, this is great as it enables you to wash them and keep them hygienic.
3. Ladies helmets are available with a smaller internal measurement.
4. Check often your helmet. Helmet straps tend to loosen, so give your helmet a quick wiggle-check before every outing. Tighten the straps if you can move the helmet more than 2-3 centimetres in any direction.
5. A helmet protects you only once – after a bad crash buy a new helmet, even if no damage has been recognized on the crushed one’s shell.
6. Because of fatigue helmets should generally be replaced every 5-6 years.
7. Do not store the helmet in direct sunlight or at high temperatures.
8. Clear (or soapy) water usually is sufficient to clean the helmet. For any other detergents always have a look at the user’s manual.

Always remember that a cycle helmet cannot prevent any accidents! Cycle helmet is a passive safety equipment that can reduce the chance of a serious injury of the cyclist’s head.