Cyclify India is reader-supported! We may receive an associate commission if you make a purchase through one of the Amazon Associate links on this page! Continue Reading…
It might be annoying at times, so you may be asking why wearing a helmet is necessary when cycling. Of course, the most important ones are your security and safety. Helmets can lower your chance of a head injury by as much as 70%, according to experts, so adding one to your collection of cycling accessories is a good idea.
Actually, according to specialists, wearing a helmet will lessen the likelihood of head injuries, therefore you should include one in your collection of bicycle accessories. What are the key reasons to wear a bicycle helmet while cycling?
Can you picture yourself riding your bike and, since you weren’t wearing a helmet, you suddenly veer on the road and smack your head on the pavement? In such a situation, you can possibly end up in the hospital with serious brain damage.
Cycling over rough terrain may be dangerous, therefore wearing a helmet protects you from any accidents in addition to making you look better. There are several important reasons to wear a bicycle helmet when cycling it in addition to head protection. We’ll go through 11 useful reasons to wear a bicycle helmet in this article:
Table of Contents
Who can ride a bike without a helmet?
All bikers are required to wear helmets. Regardless of age, it is always advised to wear a helmet for safety when riding.
We are only emphasizing wearing the gear since there is a significantly lower chance of fatal bike accidents during collision scenarios.
This article discusses the benefits of wearing a helmet as well as how to select the best bicycle helmet for your head shape.
11 Reasons to Wear a Bicycle Helmet
1. When riding a bike on the road, wearing a helmet increases your visibility
Your visibility on the road is enhanced and you become more noticeable to other drivers when you wear a helmet. Anytime you go helmet shopping, be sure to choose the vibrantly colored ones.
In order to make it easier for other drivers to see you in the dark, even when you are miles away, consider applying reflective tape on your helmet.
In addition to helping to color your face and improve your imagination and distance vision by lessening the effect of sunshine on your eyes, a helmet also serves as a shade, particularly an eye shade. These are the top helmet picks that we have.
2. By wearing a helmet, you can avoid fines and penalties.
As the most important factor in teaching and motivating other cyclists to wear helmets, wearing one yourself may provide peace of mind when riding a bicycle on public roads. Wearing a helmet is a good way to lead by example as a biker. It also means that you are preserving your own life and the lives of others.
The government requires riders and passengers to wear helmets, so you could possibly prevent paying any penalties or fees if you choose not to wear one.
When people break this traffic law, they are subject to heavy fines. In addition to helping you avoid being hit with fines and penalties by traffic officials, wearing a bike helmet is essential.
If you wear safety headgear, you are saving a lot of money. If not, you risk receiving more severe penalties or fines for moving violations.
3. Cycling helmet use guards against catastrophic head injuries
There are several reasons why riding a bike should always involve wearing a helmet. Its ability to shield your head and brain in the case of an accident is the main justification.
Wearing a helmet can cut the risk of head injuries in half and of injuries to the face, neck, and head in third.
Utilizing a helmet whilst riding is recommended for several reasons. A French research suggests that pedestrians who ride without helmets are 1.4 times more inclined to get serious head injuries compared to those who do. This finding lends credence to some of the arguments made here.
Some argue that mandated bicycle helmet laws make streets less safe for cyclists, while others claim that riders who opt out of using helmets are far more inclined to behave recklessly, hence increasing the likelihood of accidents.
According to a recent research that collected data on 64,000 bikers globally, wearing a helmet decreased the incidence of fatal head injuries by 65% and serious head injuries by nearly 70%.
However you may feel about helmets, it is important to remember that they are capable of safeguarding your brain as well as your head in the event of a crash.
According to statistics, it is far less likely to cause a fatal collision and to cause serious injuries when riding a bicycle helmet!
4. You are an inspiration to children and young people.
Do you say “please” and “thank you” to your children and eat veggies? Another method to set an example of good behavior is to wear a helmet.
Although children hear what their parents say, what they observe may have a bigger influence. When you cycle, skateboard, or skate together, wearing a helmet conveys the appropriate message.
Wearing a helmet is a sign that you value safety as a biker. By teaching others the need of wearing helmets when bicycling, it contributes significantly to your safety and serves as an example to others. In this manner, you are to protect not only your children but also your own life.
Cycling helmet use is highly recommended, especially for children who have already experienced minor injuries. By encouraging others to wear a helmet and educating them about its benefits, you may increase awareness.
5. Wearing a helmet protects you from bad weather
The protection a helmet offers against inclement weather is one of the main justifications for wearing one when cycling. To shield your face against the sun’s damaging UV rays, for instance, wear a helmet.
It forms a protective barrier against hail and snow and shields your head from intense downpours in the event that you are trapped in the rain.
6. Helmets shield the head from heat and dryness.
You may ride your bike in practically any kind of weather, from rainy and chilly to sunny and mild, with the protection of a bicycle helmet. However, it may also retain the heat that the frame releases, which will keep you warm and comfortable as you ride.
7. Face-shielding helmets
A helmet may protect your face in addition to shielding your head and brand. Likewise, facial mishaps can be extremely painful, deform your facial alignment, & can even cost a lot of money if you need facial surgery. They can turn lethal. Therefore, it should be obvious that when riding a bicycle, you must always have a helmet.
According to statistics, wearing a helmet can save face injuries by an astounding 33%.
8. Helmets enhance your sense of style
You should not consider a helmet to be ugly or uninteresting while you wear one. Choose a helmet that best represents your style, and add stickers, decals, or other embellishments to make it uniquely yours. When your child goes shopping for a helmet, let them choose the color and style that they like!
9. Helmets prevent needless medical expenses
Even if you don’t have your helmet on when you get into an accident, you might end up with some very expensive medical costs. The costs of emergency room appointments, doctor visits, emergency surgery charges, and so on may not be covered right away, but these payments do. But you should be aware that these expenses are more substantial in the long run and keep rising, so you’ll ultimately be stuck paying a hefty price.
In the event that your brain has been injured in any manner, you may never be able to use it properly for the remainder of your life. This requires more involved and time-consuming treatments that are never seen as luxury options.
10. Impact energy is reduced by the helmet.
The purpose of helmets is to insulate against impact force. No matter which way your head hits—the road, the tree, or the car—you will begin to absorb less damage. People’s heads are cushioned by the softer inside of the helmets, which feature sturdy exteriors.
In fact, they may be able to prevent serious brain damage, but not even concussions directly. Although a helmet cannot avoid the force associated with concussions, it should significantly lessen damage. Concussions develop because the force of the collision causes the brain to shift inside the skull.
Suggested: 10 Best Bicycle Helmets in India of 2024
How can I select the best type of bike helmet for the safety of my riding?
In light of this article, it should go without saying that you should always wear a helmet while cycling. Wearing a helmet when riding is just good sense, and in some locations, it’s legally required. While all helmets sold must adhere to the same impact protection standard, you may want to take a few other aspects into account when making your purchase.
Determine the Size
To start, you’ll need a high-quality measuring tape to figure out the size. A fast-moving, flexible headband that wraps around the head.
Most people’s heads are widest and tallest above the eyebrows & ears, so that’s where you should start wrapping the tape. When taking an exact measurement, be careful not to pull too tightly. Our rule states that you should take two measurements and one fitting. Make sure your size is right by checking it twice.
If you’re going to wear a helmet, get one that fits your head properly. A choice of size criteria is provided below to help you choose the right helmet for your needs.
In general, the following criteria need to be taken into account:
- Extra-small: less than 20 inches (51 cm)
- Small: 20-21.75 inches (51-55 cm)
- Medium:21.75–23.25 inches (55–59 cm)
- Large: 23.25–24.75 inches (59–63 cm)
- Extra-large: more than 24.75 (63 cm)
Get a sense of it
As soon as you receive your new helmet, put it on. The helmet should be worn level with your head. The best way to protect your forehead is with a helmet that is no more than an inch over your eyebrows. The retention mechanism on the helmet—typically a click wheel or ratchet system in the back—allows you to modify the fit.
It is advised to wear helmets that fit snugly. You don’t want your helmet to fit too tight. Should the helmet have any pressure areas, it can be too small.
A reminder to buckle up
It’s important that the chin strap not only holds your head in place, but also doesn’t bother your comfort level. There should be enough room for one finger in between the strap and your chin. The straps should make a “V” when they are positioned beneath each ear. With the chinstrap secured, you should show off your fangs. When properly worn, the helmet should make firm contact with your head.
Test of Shake
Turn the helmet back and forth and sideways. If the helmet seems to shift significantly, you might need to use the retention system to correct it.
Once you get the ideal fit, the helmet shouldn’t shift throughout the shake test by more than an inch.
Prepare for the trip.
Before you ride, make sure your bike helmet fits properly.
Straps and retention mechanisms may become slack during usage or travel. Before every ride, make sure your settings are correct.
You can detect if your bike helmet is ready to ride or needs to be adjusted by moving your head or applying pressure with your palm. Sweating while riding and temperature changes might affect how well your helmet fits. Before you ride, make sure you are comfortable with all of the modification options since you might need to make little changes along the way.
Size Guide and Chart for Bicycle Helmets
To determine the appropriate size helmet for you, let’s first learn how to measure your head. This will let you access the bicycle helmet size chart.
A measuring tape is first and foremost, with cloth-made tape being the best option due to its flexibility. Next, measure the width of your head, which is usually between one and two centimetres or half an inch from your eyebrows, using your measuring tape.
Related: Guide and Chart for Bicycle Frame Sizes
After you’ve determined the ideal and comfortable tape-fitting position, take the tape off and measure your size. Finding the largest region of your skull and double-checking your size is a smart idea every time.
The following chart displays the appropriate helmet size based on your head circumference.
| Helmet Size | Helmet Size | Head Size (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| S | 20.5 | 52 cm |
| S | 20.87 | 53 cm |
| S | 21.25 | 54 cm |
| S | 21.625 | 55 cm |
| S | 22 | 56 cm |
| M | 22.375 | 57 cm |
| M | 22.75 | 58 cm |
| M | 23.125 | 59 cm |
| M | 23.5 | 60 cm |
| L | 23.875 | 61 cm |
| L | 24.25 | 62 cm |
| L | 24.625 | 63 cm |
| L | 25 | 64 cm |
Tips on Choosing a Helmet
The following is what safety experts urge riders, skaters, and skateboarders to know:
- The best helmets are those certified by the Snell Foundation or the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC).
- Helmets are designed to survive a single collision; replace it immediately following an incident.
- There are several types of helmets for baseball, football, skiing, horseback riding, and other sports.
Common Questions on Why Should I Wear a Helmet When Cycling?
Q1. Is a Cycling Helmet Necessary?
Wearing a helmet is essential for all cyclists, regardless of experience level; it should be worn by everyone when riding on public roads. You are never sure what may happen next or how badly you may require it when driving. People often compare wearing helmets to having insurance.
Q2. What are the advantages of using a helmet when riding a bicycle?
We wear bicycle helmets to shield our brains and skulls from serious damage. In order to keep you safe and secure, a helmet’s main purpose is to shield the skull from fatal blows and severe injuries. For this reason, it’s crucial to wear a helmet.
Q3. Why do individuals choose not to wear helmets?
According to studies, wearing a helmet increases risk-taking, which increases the likelihood of accidents. There is no way to stop potentially fatal injuries by wearing a helmet. Wearing them could be avoided by others because they believe they are uncool.
In the event of a fall or accident, however, the helmet will take the brunt of the impact, protecting your head and brain from harm. It’s not only about donning a helmet; it’s also about keep your head protected and secure.
Q4. What advantages do bike helmets offer?
Even when worn improperly, bicycle helmets can lower the risk of head injuries from riding by 52 to 60 percent in adults and children, nonfatal head & scalp injuries by 68 to 85 percent, and upper & middle face injuries by 65 percent.
Q3. In safe cycling environments, should you use a helmet?
A single incident, such a bicycle falling off, can also qualify as an accident, as might two vehicles colliding. To be 70% safe against those who don’t wear helmets, though, is to wear one yourself. The statement implies that there is never a safe place to ride a bicycle, hence you should always wear a protective helmet.
Conclusion on Reasons To Wear A Bicycle Helmet
In the past, not many individuals rode with helmets on their bikes. Though that is evolving. Even if helmet use among bikers is on the rise, it is still much too low.
Although you are probably aware of how important it is to have a helmet for your full cycling equipment, there are more reasons to wear one.
The greatest reason to wear a helmet is to protect your head. A rider’s helmet should always come first.
Whether riding on the road or off, it is advisable to wear a helmet since collisions can cause serious harm to our heads.
To better protect yourself, you should use body armour in addition to a helmet.
If you’re not sure what sort of helmet to buy, consider stopping by your neighbourhood bike store. To top it all off, they can help you find the ideal helmet for your head size and shape.
Associated Posts:
0 Comments