Friends For Life Bike Rally - A Benefit for the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation

• Introduction
• Style and weight
• Proper fit
• When to replace

Introduction

Studies have shown that using a bicycle helmet can reduce head injuries by up to 85%. You don't have to be going fast or far to risk serious head injuries, so don't take chances. A helmet may not seem as hip as a bandana, but brain damage is definitely not cool!

All Friends For Life Riders should be aware by now that you are required to wear a helmet at all times on our training rides and while cycling to Montreal. Make sure that you have a helmet that bears a label specifying that it meets the Canadian Standards Association standard CAN/CSA D113.2 M89; or the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard Z90.40 1984; the Snell Memorial Foundation standard B 90,B 90S, N 94, or B 95; the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard F 1447 93 or F 1447 94.

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Style and weight

The main difference between helmets made for road cycling and those made for off-roading is in the vent design. Road helmets have longer, narrower vents to provide good airflow while remaining aerodynamic. Off-road helmets have wider vents, as it's assumed that you won't be riding as fast but still need to cool off. Road helmets don't have visors as they would obstruct vision when riding in the more bent-over road cycling position.

A good modern helmet will weigh around 10 or 11 ounces (284 or 312g) or even less. Even though more weight doesn't seem like a lot, after a few hours on a bike even a few ounces can seem heavy - stick to something lightweight.

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Proper fit

Your helmet should fit snugly on the top of your head and not obstruct your field of vision. Most helmets come with adjustable padding to achieve the best fit. The front of the helmet should be about two finger widths above the eyebrows. Here are three tests to check for a secure helmet fit:

The Shake Test

Shake your head from side to side. The fit pads should hold it snugly in place.

The Open-mouth Test

When you buckle the chin strap and open your mouth, you should feel the helmet press firmly against the top of your head.

The Peel-off Test

If you can "peel" the helmet off your head to the front or rear when the chin strap is tightened, the straps need to be tightened more.

For the helmet to do any good, it's very important for it to be worn level. If it's tilted back, it will leave your forehead exposed in the case of an accident. If it's tilted forward, it will obstruct your vision and therefore potentially cause an accident.

The yoke buckles (plastic pieces connecting from and rear straps) should rest at the corner of your jawbone, below your ears. In use, the side yolk straps must be taut with the helmet level on your head as you fasten the chin strap. Excess chin straps can be trimmed and the cut edge melted to prevent fraying. You should be able to fit one finger between the chin strap and under the chin. Always wear the helmet with the chin strap firmly buckled. Make sure the chin strap fits securely and that the buckle stays fastened to provide impact protection.

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When to replace

It's recommended that you replace your helmet every 5 years, as it has a limited life span. The materials in the helmet's construction break down over time and therefore lose their protective ability. Do not continue to use a helmet after it has been involved in an accident. Damage to the helmet may not be visible to an untrained eye. Even very small cracks in the helmet may greatly reduce a helmet's effectiveness in preventing injury. Some makers offer replacement policies for a crashed helmet.

For more info on helmets, check out www.caree.org/bike101helmets.htm .

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