Kids Bike Helmets: A Complete Guide To Safety For Young Riders

Riding a bike gives kids a boost in exercise, confidence and motor skills. However, before embarking on their two-wheeled adventures, parents must ensure their child's bicycle helmet is safe. David Aguilar, senior injury prevention coordinator at Children's Health in Dallas, Texas, emphasizes the importance of wearing helmets. They're not just for show; they're essential gear that can prevent serious brain injuries and even save lives when kids take an unexpected tumble off their bikes. We consulted Aguilar and other experts to help you navigate the world of bike helmets for kids. They shared insights on fitting helmets properly, the various types available, and critical features to look out for.

The importance of bike helmets for kids

Joel Gator Warsh, MD, a board-certified pediatrician and author, explains that bike helmets are essential for preventing head injuries in children. He states, "Studies show that wearing helmets can lower the chances of head and brain injuries by more than 85%. These helmets are essential for keeping kids safe during bike accidents." In addition, Aguilar emphasizes the necessity of selecting the right helmet, as different designs provide varying levels of protection tailored to specific activities. "For instance," he notes, "skateboard helmets cover the entire head, while bike helmets focus more on the front, as most accidents tend to be head-on." They stress that choosing and wearing the appropriate helmet is crucial for maximizing safety.

Types of bike helmets for kids

There are different types of bike helmets, each designed for specific purposes. To help you learn about these types and their differences, here is what experts say:

Multi-sport helmets

According to Warsh, multi-sport helmets are among today's most common bike helmets. "These helmets have a flexible design that works well for biking, skateboarding and rollerblading," he explains. "They are perfect for kids who play different sports because they are easy to use and convenient."

Road bike helmets

Unlike helmets designed for multiple sports, road bike helmets are lighter and shaped to reduce wind resistance. Thanks to these features, Warsh says these helmets also have good airflow to keep cyclists cool. "This makes them great for road cycling, which focuses on speed and long rides," he explains.

Mountain bike helmets

"Mountain bike helmets provide extra coverage on the sides and back of the head, often include visors for sun protection and offer better airflow to keep you cool," explains Warsh. "This design makes them ideal for riding on rough trails where additional safety is crucial."

BMX helmets

"BMX helmets usually provide more protection, but they are heavier and have less ventilation," says Aguilar. "Because of this, they are great for trail riding."

Key features to look for in kids' bike helmets

Finding the right helmet for your child can be challenging because so many options are available. To make it easier, you can start by looking at the features listed below:

Safety certifications

Warsh emphasizes that when buying bike helmets for kids, it's crucial to look for certifications. These certifications ensure that the helmet meets safety standards, providing reliable protection for children. Fortunately, there are specific safety certifications you should check to confirm that a bike helmet is safe and effective. For example, organizations like the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) help verify that helmets comply with federal safety standards, ensuring they are both high-quality and safe.

Proper fit and adjustability

"Finding the right size and being able to adjust the fit is very important when buying bicycle helmets for kids," says Warsh. "These features help keep your child safe; look for straps you can adjust and different size choices to get a perfect fit."

Ventilation

While bike helmets are very important for safety, they can also trap sweat. To help with this problem, Warsh recommends choosing helmets with good ventilation. "These types of helmets keep kids cool and comfortable, which makes them more likely to wear their helmets regularly," he says.

Impact Protection Technology (MIPS, WaveCel, etc.)

When shopping for bike helmets for kids, think about safety features. One crucial feature is impact protection technology. Two well-known types of this technology are MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) and WaveCel, which help keep your child's head safe by lowering the chance of brain injuries if they fall or crash.

Visibility features

Warsh suggests paying attention to visibility features when buying bike helmets. "These features help make children more visible to drivers, particularly in low-light situations," he says.

How to properly fit a bike helmet for kids

Warsh recommends these steps to make sure your child gets a properly fitting helmet:

Measure head circumference

Before anything else, Warsh suggests measuring your child's head to find a helmet that fits well. "Use a soft measuring tape to measure around your child's head, about an inch above their eyebrows," he advises.

Position your helmet correctly

After measuring your child's head and choosing a bike helmet that fits, the next step is to correctly put the helmet on their head. Warsh recommends, "Make sure the helmet sits flat on your child's head, not tilted back or forward."

Adjust the straps

After you put the helmet on your child's head properly, adjust the straps to make it fit better. A helpful tip from Warsh is to make sure the side straps create a "V" shape that is under and slightly in front of your ears. Also, he recommends fastening the chin strap so it feels secure but not too tight.

Double-check the fit

Lastly, Warsh recommends checking if the helmet fits well before your child rides a bike. "The helmet should fit firmly on their head at eye level; when your child opens their mouth wide, it should move down a little but not too much, so you don't have to adjust the straps often," he says.

Maintaining and replacing kids' bike helmets

To keep your bike helmets in tip-top shape, remember these maintenance and replacement tips:

Cleaning and storage tips

To ensure your bike helmet stays in mint condition, store it in a cool, dark place, far from direct sunlight. This not only safeguards its quality but also prolongs its life. For neatness and added protection, hang it on wall hooks, set it on racks, or pop it into a helmet bag. Cleaning bike helmets is also a straightforward process. According to Jacob Rheuban, founder and owner of Prevelo Bikes, a manufacturer of bikes for kids, bike helmets can be easily cleaned with mild soap and water. "This helps to remove dirt and grime without damaging the helmet's materials," he says.

Inspect helmets regularly

Travis Hedlund, Injury Prevention Coordinator at Children's Nebraska, says that inspecting bike helmets regularly is important for several reasons. "As kids grow, so do their heads," he says. "A helmet that fits a child one summer may already be too small for them the next, so checking that your child's helmet still fits their head will ensure they can have a safe one available whenever they want to go for a ride. Hedlund also says that it is important to check helmets often to ensure no damage to your child's helmet. "Helmets are no longer safe to use after they have been in a serious crash and can even be damaged by a hard fall from a shelf in the garage," he explains. "Check a helmet for cracks, breaks or other damage, and replace if you find damage or if the helmet has been in a serious crash."

Replace helmets as needed

According to Rheuban, a helmet that's been through a crash is like a used band-aid — best replaced. The foam inside is crucial for impact absorption, but once it's compressed, its protective magic fades. "Once this foam gets squished, it can't protect as well anymore," he says. Parents should buy new helmets if their children outgrow them or if the helmets are over five years old.

Teaching kids about helmet safety

Parents can steer their little ones toward bike safety in various ways. Here's the expert-approved roadmap:

Teach bike safety in a kid-friendly manner

Hedlund emphasizes that simplicity is key to teaching your children about the importance of bike safety in a way that's easy for them to understand. He explains, "You don't need to use frightening images; you can tell them that while our skulls feel strong, they can still get hurt if we fall or crash hard enough. This can lead to injuries in our brains, too." Another fun way to illustrate bike safety is through a simple science experiment Hedlund recommends, which only requires some eggs. "Take one egg and leave it as it is. Then, with your child, wrap the other egg in soft materials like paper towels or sponges," he suggests. "Drop both eggs from a height of about three feet and show your child how the unprotected egg breaks easily compared to the wrapped one. This is just like how an unprotected head can get hurt much more easily than one wearing a helmet."

Lead by example

Since children often copy what their parents do, Hedlund believes it is important for adults to show responsible behaviour and make smart bike safety choices. "This means always wearing a bike helmet while riding with your child, even in seemingly safe places like playgrounds," he says, "By doing this, you show your child that safety is a priority for everyone." If you enjoy solo bike rides, Hedlund recommends that your child see you put on your helmet before you leave. "This simple act reinforces the idea of making smart choices, even when they are not being directly supervised," he explains.

Make using a helmet a non-negotiable rule 

According to Hedlund, getting a child to wear a helmet can sometimes lead to an argument. To avoid this, he suggests using "if/then" statements that clearly outline why helmets are important. "For instance, you could tell your child, 'IF you want to ride your bike to the park, THEN you need to wear your helmet,' or "IF you wear your helmet, THEN we can enjoy a bike ride together," he suggests. Hedlund also emphasizes the importance of consistency. "Make sure your child dons a helmet every single time they hop on their bike, even if it's just a quick spin around the driveway," he advises. "A tumble onto hard concrete can still result in serious head injuries, no matter how close to home they are. Plus, by wearing a helmet yourself, you set a powerful example that safety is a priority for everyone, not just the kids." Bike rides offer an excellent opportunity for kids to stay fit and for families to bond. But let's not forget: safety is the name of the game. Wearing helmets is crucial as they provide vital protection against severe head and brain injuries. Parents should always remind their children to wear helmets, ensure that they fit properly and choose the right type of helmet based on their activity.

Experts

• David Aguilar, senior injury prevention coordinator at Children's Health in Dallas, Texas
• Joel Gator Warsh, MD, a board-certified pediatrician and author
• Travis Hedlund, MPH, CHES, CPSTI, Injury Prevention Coordinator at Children's Hospital & Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
• Jacob Rheuban, founder and owner of Prevelo Bikes, a manufacturer of bikes for kids