Helmet Safety

Wear the Gear - Helmets absorb the force of an impact by spreading that force over the entire helmet, reducing the impact on your head and brain. The skull can easily crack in a fall from a bicycle. A properly fitted helmet will reduce the risk of head injury by up to 85 percent. Parents, practice what you preach, wear a helmet and be a role model!

Remember - When Purchasing a Helmet:

• Always take a helmet out of the box and check the fit before buying.
• Check for the Canadian Safety approved stickers: CSA, ASTM, Snell, CPSC, BSI and SAA.
• Check the helmet for extra pads to help with a proper fit.
• Don’t buy a used helmet. Most helmets are designed to work with one crash only and then need to be replaced. Helmets should also be replaced if they are more than 5 years old.
• Use only a bike helmet for bikes. Hockey helmets are not designed to absorb the same impact that can happen with bike collisions or falls.

What’s the Law? In Ontario, cyclists under 18 are required by law to wear an approved bicycle helmet when riding a bike on a roadway or sidewalk. Legislation makes it clear to the public that helmets are necessary. In areas that have child bicycle helmet laws, there are 25% fewer head injuries from cycling than in provinces without legislation.

It’s not just the cyclists that need to protect their heads. Anyone on wheels without a helmet is at risk for a head injury. There are also rising numbers of traumatic head and spinal injuries on the slopes. Helmets should be worn for winter activities such as skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing B.C. Winter Slope Safety Pamphlet.PDF.

Safe Kids Canada has a fact sheet that provides details on how to fit your helmet properly along with safety tips for all wheeled activities. Click Got Wheels Get a Helmet.