Kids Bike Helmets

Whether it be cycling, skateboarding, roller skating, or riding a scooter, your child should always wear an Australian Standards Approved Helmet. Getting children to wear a helmet isn’t always easy, but every time they participate in one of these activities they must have one on. A bicycle helmet will absorb all the force of the fall, giving your child the best protection against head injuries that could be life threatening.

Choosing the right bike helmet for your child:

Helmets purchased in Australia must have an Australian Standards Sticker attached on the inside of the helmet. If it doesn’t have one of these DO NOT purchase it. Ensure that the helmet is rounded with no sharp projections that could cause the helmet to snag on low branches or other obstructions. A helmet with a tail on the back of the head is dangerous as landing on this tail end can cause the helmet to shift on the head and reduce the level of protection.

Helmet Sizing

Sizing is a very important factor when it comes to deciding which helmet to purchase for your child. It must be comfortable – not too tight, but not too loose. Helmets should sit level on the head, covering the forehead with the rim just above the eyebrows. All straps should be correctly adjusted and the buckle securely fastened. All of the kid’s bike helmets we stock at Bums on Bikes, come with a retention system for a better fit. To correctly size the helmet on your child, loosen this to the biggest setting. If the shell of the helmet fits well adjust the tension setting on this system to a snug fit. Once this is done, try and move the helmet front to back and side-to-side. If there is any significant movement you need a smaller helmet.

Tips To Get your Child to Wear their Helmet:

Step 1: Ensure it fits well and is comfortable… Would you want to wear a helmet that hurt your head??

Step 2: Take your child shopping with you when you purchase a helmet. Let them pick a helmet that they like with cool colors and designs. If they like the look of it, they will be more likely to wear it regularly.

Step 3: Explain why helmets are so important to wear. Discuss the possibilities of a serious head injury so they understand why you are urging them to wear one.

Step 4: Every time you or other family members ride your bikes, model consistent helmet.

Step 5: Establish and enforce a rule that your child may only ride their bike when wearing a helmet. It is recommended that you never let your child ride their bicycle without a helmet even in the back yard as it sends mixed messages about bike helmet use.

Step 6: Establish a reward system for using their helmets if they are particularly reluctant to wear it. This will help maintain a positive attitude about bike helmet safety.

Other Advice:

• Always ensure that when your child is wearing their helmet it is positioned correctly on their head.

* Don't let your child wear a helmet with a hat underneath as this will ruin the fit. If they are worried about the sun, you can buy helmets with visors attached.

• Never let your child climb bunk beds, trees or play equipment with a bike helmet on. There is a serious risk of injury if a strap gets caught.

• Always ensure the helmet buckles are done up and not hanging loose before they take off.

• Remind your child to tell you if they fall off and hit their helmet, or it receives a sharp knock at all. They might not see any damage on the outside, but the inside lining could be damaged. Also, tell them to not throw their helmet around. Any sharp knocks can seriously damage the helmet and lower the protection level.

 • Remember, just because your child is wearing a helmet doesn’t mean they are safe. Teach them the road rules prior to letting them ride. No child under the age of ten is legally allowed to ride on the roads. Teach them to stop at signs and lights, to ride on the left hand side of the road with the flow of the traffic and to look left and right before crossing any intersections. All children should be closely supervised while riding bicycles and should not be permitted to ride on a street or road until the can show sound knowledge of bicycle safety and rules.

If you have any questions at all when it comes to buying a helmet for your child give us a call, or pop in and see one of our staff. We are more than happy to help. Or you could check out one of these articles below:

Bicycle Safety for Kids
Is your Helmet Safe?