Children's bicycle helmets: features, recommendations for choosing

For every mom, the safety of her child is paramount. This is especially true for such a rather traumatic activity as cycling. In this situation, a helmet comes to the rescue. His presence will not only protect the baby, but also calm the parents.

It is no secret that both children and adults need a bicycle helmet primarily for protection. This is equally true for toddlers at the age of 2-3 years, as well as for older children mastering the art of riding a two-wheeled bicycle. Any incorrect movement can cause a fall, and this product will significantly soften the head impact, which in some cases can be extremely important.

If the baby is just learning to ride a bike, falls will be present even with the utmost care. And psychologically, it will be quite difficult for him to understand how you can enjoy an activity that can cause pain, so protection is very important.

A helmet will not interfere with a child of any age who gets behind the wheel of a bicycle. Manufacturers offer these products for babies aged 1–1.5 years. A very important role is played by the fact so that the children are as comfortable as possible.

The main sizes offered for children are M and S, having a circumference of 50–55 and 45–50 centimeters, respectively. It is best to try the helmet on for your child immediately before purchasing to make sure it is not uncomfortable.

These products are quite lightweight, although they are intended for both adults and children. Their maximum weight is 300 grams. Models are selected based on the age of the child. Excess weight adversely affects the cervical spine, creating unnecessary stress, so at the moment you should pay special attention.

No one will argue that the quality of this accessory should be at the highest level, since it is primarily about health. Now consumers often opt for a bicycle helmet with a special covering of EPS or polypropylene foam.

There are other options, but they are much less common. To make the head more comfortable, there are soft pillows in the center of the helmet. Visually, they resemble a sponge. They do not carry out a protective function, but they provide comfort to the child's head.

Helmets can be classified into several types. Graduation takes place depending on the conditions in which the young cyclist will ride. When it comes to sports, its variety is taken into account. Distinguish between road helmets, cross-country helmets and helmets for extreme disciplines.

Let's talk about them in more detail.

• Road helmet can be chosen by those who plan to take long walks on a flat asphalt road. Its weight is 220 grams. Such products are most often purchased for children who ride along deserted trails with their parents.

• The next variety are cross-country walking helmets. It resembles the previous version, but the weight is slightly higher, which allows a young cyclist to move not only on a flat road, but also in the forest, on the field and country roads. Includes removable visors. This attribute is very important, as it helps to protect the face from scratches if movement occurs through bushes or tree branches. In addition, the visor perfectly holds the goggles.

• Sometimes parents give their grown-up child to the extreme and off-road riding section. In this situation, rather complex tricks are also assumed, so protection should be more reliable. Perfect fit helmet for extreme disciplines. They are more durable and reliable, since in this situation, falls and hits are almost inevitable. Among these cycling helmets, there are bowler hat and full face helmets.

• The first category is for to protect the child's head when performing tricks on a hard surface. Usually their weight varies from 300 to 450 grams. This option is used primarily by adolescents. In addition, due to the specific shape, it can be highly customizable, which is an additional advantage.

• Full face helmets protect not only the head, but also the face. When driving at high speed on rough terrain, this is important for both girls and boys. They are great for long descents on the dirt road or overcoming obstacles. We can say that the level of protection of these helmets is an order of magnitude higher than that of all previous varieties. However, its mass is also great, and the view is limited, which does not allow using the product for everyday city driving.

This indicator is especially relevant if it is planned that the child will ride a bike in the evening. Walking before going to bed will become as safe as possible, since the young rider will be noticeable from afar, even on those sections of the road where there is no lighting.

Separately, we should talk about fixation systems. These are the very devices that allow the helmet to be securely attached to the head of a little cyclist.

• The most popular among consumers is considered disk. It is a small disc located on a strap. During its rotation, the tension is loosened or increased. This manipulation can be performed with one hand.
• The second system is called slider. Simpler models are equipped with it. Here, for fixing, you will need to use both hands. There are other systems, but they are not widely used.

Choosing a helmet is not easy both for a child who is 3-4 years old and for a teenager. Parents are concerned that it is comfortable and meets all safety requirements. However, there are basic rules to be followed.

• You should not purchase products from unknown manufacturers. The fact is that the level of protection of such products is questionable. In addition, there is a risk that if the helmet falls down, it will play a cruel joke and will only increase the possibility of injury.
• It is worth paying attention to products that have a two-layer protective structure made on the basis of strong plastic... An added benefit is the soft padding. It is very good if it is made of natural material, which will protect the delicate baby skin from possible irritations, and will also help absorb moisture more effectively.
• Check that the child's helmet has ventilation holes. This will help your little one to ride the bike for a long time, even in the heat. If necessary, you can consider models with adjustable dampers. They drop down in adverse weather conditions and the closed helmet protects the head from rain or cold wind.
• An important factor is the size... The child should be as comfortable and comfortable as possible. It is worth checking the clasp adjusters, as well as its overall performance. The helmet should be securely fixed, not dangling, not rolling on the forehead, but at the same time not squeezing the head.
• If a child is expected to be able to walk on the road, care should be taken to keep the helmet as bright as possible. Acid shades attract attention well, respectively, the young cyclist will be noticeable to all road users. Reflective elements also perform an important function, the child will be clearly visible on the road even in the evening or in adverse weather conditions.

For information on how to choose the right children's bicycle helmet, see the next video.