Let’s Talk About: Bike Helmets

You can replace many things, but you can't replace your brain. 

The conversation of bike helmets comes up a lot when talking about group rides, casual rides, trips to your favorite brewery, or just a cruise through the neighborhood. Should I wear one? Do I have to wear one? How do I even know which bike helmet to pick and what features I want? That's what we're here for. We do the research, so you don't have to. 

Should I wear a bike helmet? The simple answer is yes, no matter if you're the most balanced and graceful rider in the world, yes. I'll be honest; I used to ride my bike casually through town without a helmet on, and we are all tempted to feel the wind in our hair. Our heads aren't designed to absorb impact, and even the most minor falls can be life-changing. The NIH has published a review that contained 

"five well-conducted case-control studies found that helmets provide a 63–88% reduction in the risk of head, brain and severe brain injury for all ages of bicyclists. Helmets were found to provide equal levels of protection for crashes involving motor vehicles (69%) and crashes from all other causes (68%). Furthermore, injuries to the upper and mid facial areas were found to be reduced by 65%, although helmets did not prevent lower facial injuries. The review authors concluded that bicycle helmets are an effective means of preventing head injury."

Do I have to wear a bike helmet? We all have the right to personal choices. However, many group rides STRONGLY encourage bike helmets, and more often than not, they're required. So if you are riding with No Kit Club, bike helmets are required. We are always happy to provide one if you don't have one!

How do I know what bike helmet I want and what features to get? The easiest way to find the bike helmet of your dreams is to go to your local bike shop. The staff at your LBS (here is some biker lingo for you!) will be able to answer your questions about riding style, fit, and features. The more features you want on your helmet, the more money you'll spend. Don't let that scare you off! All bicycle helmets sold in the United States must pass the Consumer Product Safety Commission's standards. So the $50 helmet will be just as safe as the $100 version. 

Do helmets need to be replaced? Absolutely. Bike helmets are designed to absorb a single impact. This is why you shouldn't buy a used bike helmet, always know the history of your brain bucket! Even if you drop your helmet, it can be damaged and not absorb an impact when it matters the most. P.s. Bike helmets expire, so even if you've never crashed, you should replace your bike helmet every 5 years. The foams and glues break down over time. Daily use can also speed up this process, which may mean you need to refresh your helmet sooner than later. 

To sum it all up, you should wear a bike helmet. It protects you and will help keep you riding confidently and comfortably.

• Ivers R. Systematic reviews of bicycle helmet research. Inj Prev. 2007;13(3):190. doi:10.1136/ip.2007.015966