Helmets are designed with a specific sport in mind. When looking for a bicycle helmet, your first priorities are size, fit and protection:
(1) Size: To determine what size helmet you need, use a measuring tape. Wrap the tape around the largest part of your head.
(2) Fit: The helmet should cover the top of your head. The back of the helmet should not touch the nape of the neck. To check the fit of the helmet, place two fingers above your eyebrow; this is where the front of the helmet should sit.
(3) Protection: In order to protect your head properly, make sure the pads inside the helmet are flush against your forehead. Test the helmet before you purchase it. Try rolling it off your head. The skin of your forehead should move with the helmet. If the helmet slides back, it does not fit correctly and will not protect your head properly.
Don’t forget! Replace your helmet after a crash or when it no longer fits correctly. Helmets should have information on certification and/or meet safety standards from one or more of the following: CPSC, ASTM, ANSI or SNELL, to ensure that the helmet has passed safety tests.
