Hopefully you will not be involved in an accident, but if you are, wearing a cycle helmet could reduce your chances of sustaining a serious head injury.
Helmet should be worn because they reduce the degree of injury. To date there is no UK law that says that you must wear a cycle helmet.
HOW TO CHOOSE A HELMET
When buying a helmet please look for the CE mark and that the cycle helmet meets one of the following standards:
BS EN 1078: 1997 (European Standard)
BS 6863:1989 (British Standard, being replaced by the European one)
SNELL B.95 (American Standard)
Some helmets have a BS kite mark as well as a standard number. Do not use a helmet marked “BS EN1080: 1997”, these are not suitable for use as cycle helmets.
Senses:
Fitting:
Make sure the helmet is the correct size for your head.
It should fit snugly and be comfortable to wear.
Most standard approved helmets come with adjustment pads and/or adjustable straps.
Always read the instructions that come with your helmet.
Positioning:
The helmet should fit squarely on your head.
The helmet rim should sit on your forehead, just above your eyebrows.
Your helmet should not be tilted back, or tipped forward to cover your eyes.
Straps:
Helmet straps should be adjusted in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
They may need to be adjusted each time you wear your helmet.
There should be no slack.
Make sure the straps aren’t twisted and adjust them so that they form a ‘V’ under the ear lobe. Never let straps cover your ears.
Replace your damaged helmet!:
If your cycle helmet receives any hard knocks or you have an accident in it, you should look to replace it. You may not be able to see any damage but its effectiveness could be seriously reduced. Otherwise your helmet should last you for approximately 5 years.
Never be tempted to buy a second-hand helmet, as it may have suffered damage which is not immediately visible.
Southampton City Council
