More than 1,000 kids in Canada each year are injured while bike riding, and head injuries are the most severe and the most common of all types of cycling accidents. 

You don’t have to be riding that fast. If you fall off your bike, you can really injure your skull.  Helmets decrease the risk of a head injury by 85%!  This is huge, so wear your helmet.

Here’s how to choose a helmet and make it fit:

1. Look for the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) label inside the helmet.
2. Adjust the fit pads so they contact the child’s head all around and make the helmet fit snugly.
3. Sit the helmet level on the child’s head, 1 to 2 finger widths above the eyebrows. Looking up with eyes only, the child should be able to see the very edge of the helmet.
4. Around the ears, the straps should form a Y under the earlobe and sit tight against the head.
5. On the chin, when buckled, the strap should be loose enough for the child to breathe and have enough room to insert a finger between buckle and chin. If your child opens their mouth, it should pull the helmet down on top of the head.
6. After it is in place, gently lift the front of the helmet with one hand up and back. It should not move up and back to reveal the forehead. If it does, the strap in front of the ear needs to be tightened.
7. Lift the back of the helmet up and forward. If it moves more than an inch, tighten the strap in back of the ear.
8. Move the helmet from side to side. If it moves, use thicker pads at the sides.
9. The helmet should feel level, solid on the head and be comfortable.

Replace the helmet after a single crash!

Here are other bike safety ideas:

1. Stop and check traffic before riding into a street.
2. Don't ride at night.
3. Obey traffic signs and signals.
4. Ride on the right-hand side of the street.
5. Check your brakes before riding.
6. Give cars and pedestrians the right-of-way.
7. Wear light or bright-coloured clothing so that motorists can see you.
8. Be extra careful turning left - motorists don't expect it.
9. Avoid broken pavement, loose gravel and leaves, which can cause you to lose control of your bike.
10. Small child? Small bike!
11. No baseball caps or bandanas should be worn under the helmet.
12. Find a helmet that fits just right and wear it every time you get on your bike, scooter or inline skates. A different helmet needs to be used for skateboarding.