Choose to get Better…get the protection you pay for with a good quality kids bike helmet that fits and is adjusted correctly to your child’s head.
…so you and your family can SMILE when you ride.
Firstly, a child must be able to sit up independently and wear a helmet to ride on a bike. This can happen anywhere from 9 months onwards. For more on this topic see Biking with Babies on Board. A kids head grows and changes. Each child will have different rates of growth and times when they are growing. So you can’t just guess size, you need to get a helmet that fits them now, not something they can grow into. Once you have the correct size helmet you need to fit it correctly to your child’s head shape.
Helmet Fit
To get the right size helmet you must measure. To do this place a tape measure around the head 1cm above the eyebrows and make sure the tape is level all the way around the head. Take the measurement in centimetres. If you don’t have a tape measure use string or wool then lie this along a ruler.
Now match that head circumference (measurement) to the correct kids helmet.
Helmet
Head Circumference
Weight
Solution
TODDLER/KIDS SIZE
Giro Scamp XS
Giro Scamp S
45-49cm
49-53cm
251gms
255gms
KIDS/YOUTH
Bell SideTrack Child
Bell SideTrack Youth
47-54cm
50-57cm
276gms
300gms
KIDS/YOUTH MOUNTAIN BIKING
Giro Tremor Youth
50-57cm
MIPS technology
Adjustment of the Helmet to fit their head
You have the right sized helmet, you have the helmet on your child’s head. Job done…. No! That bike helmet will not perform and protect their head unless
- the straps are adjusted and fitted correctly
- If the helmet uses different thicknesses of pads for fit (like the multisport helmet) you need to use the correct thickness of pads to get the optimal fit to the shape of your child’s head
- the occipital dial or slide is tightened.
ITS IS ESSENTIAL YOU TAKE THE TIME TO ADJUST THE HELMET TO FIT YOUR CHILDS HEAD. THERE IS TOO MUCH RISK …HAVING A HELMET ON THEIR HEAD THAT DOES NOT FIT OR IS NOT ADJUSTED CORRECTLY.
STRAPS
There are different straps on different helmets but most commonly you have 2 straps attaching to each side of the helmet that come together forming a ‘V’ below the ears and are secured under the chin or just a chin strap.
Adjust using the 2v2 rule.
- 2 – the helmet should sit level on the head. The front of the helmet should sit no more than 2 finger breadths above the eyebrows.
- v – the side straps make a V with the adjustable clip forming the bottom of the V just below the ear lobe.
- 2 – you should be able to get a maximum of 2 fingers under the chin strap when fastened. The straps should not be twisted
An Egg Helmet comes with two sets of washable pads
PADS
A street style often comes with two sets of pads, one thicker than the other. Usually these pads are secured by velcro sticking to inside surfaces of the helmet shell. You can take advantage of the pads to create a good match to the shape of your child’s head. This is important in street style helmets that often have a single chin strap so need to have a firm fit onto the head. Detachable and washable pads are ideal especially if your child tends to sweat.Choose to get Better.
DIAL/SLIDE
Found at the back of helmets where your head meets the very top of your neck – this dial/slide when tightened or screwed in will secure the back of the helmet to the head. It can be hard to find this feature in kids helmets especially in the cheaper ones and smaller sizes.
Now a quick pre-ride check , yes a helmet check that you do before every ride
- is it level – around the head, no tilting
- is it low – sitting just above the eyebrows
- is it snug – does it fit snug not tight on your head, are the v clips snug below your ears and is the chin strap snug under your chin
- is it stable – use the palm of your hand to check forward, backward, side to side movement, the movement should be no greater than 2cm
Thanks for reading. Used together our stories, resources & products support you to develop & achieve as a rider.
Related Resources:
Bike Helmets for Kids – What are the options?
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To find the natural crease line of your waist, stand straight with hands at the side. Then bend sideways running the hand down the outside surface of the leg. This movement will produce a crease at the waist so place your measuring tape on this crease. Return to standing straight and place the tape measure around your waist at your crease point (usually the narrowest part of your torso).
To find the natural crease line of your waist, stand straight with hands at the side. Then bend sideways running the hand down the outside surface of the leg. This movement will produce a crease at the waist so place your measuring tape on this crease. Return to standing straight and place the tape measure around your waist at your crease point (usually the narrowest part of your torso).
To find your inside leg measurement stand with heels against a wall. Place a book between your legs as high up as it will go. Move away from the wall keeping the book against it. Place a tape measure at the top end of the book and let it drop to the floor.
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