If you bicycle, you need a helmet. Period.

The Statistics

Approximately 900 cyclists die each year. For the majority of those riders the cause of death is a severe head injury. In 1999, nearly 70,000 cyclists suffered disabling injuries (including severe brain injury). According to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, wearing a properly fitted bicycle helmet reduces the risk of serious head and brain injury by 85 percent.

Bike Helmet Selection

Look for a helmet that has a Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) sticker on or inside the helmet. In March 1999, the CPSC issued a uniform, mandatory federal safety standard for all bike helmets. All helmets manufactured or imported for sale in the U.S. must now carry a label or sticker stating that they meet the requirements of this new standard. If you currently own a helmet that meets the ASTM, ANSI or Snell standards, you don't have to buy a new one just yet. Your helmet still provides adequate protection. However, when it's time to replace your helmet you should look for one that meets the CPSC standards.

Bike Helmet Fit

A properly fit helmet should sit evenly on the head, cover the forehead, and rest just above the eyebrows. The helmet should fit securely. One way to test the fit is to hold the helmet in place and try to turn your head from side to side. Next, try to tip your head up and down. You should have very little movement (less than an inch). Excessive movement means the helmet could slip, and not protect you well during a crash. Loose helmets can also move out of place while riding uneven terrain and impair your vision enough to cause an accident.

There are many different brands and sizes. Select one that fits well prior to any major adjustments. This is particularly important for children. Don't buy a helmet for them to "grow into." You can make a variety of fine adjustments with the extra foam pads. And the settings of the chinstrap finalize your fit by making sure the helmet does not slip forward or back. With the chinstrap secure, the junction of front and back straps should sit just under the ears. If it's going to protect you in a crash, the helmet should not come off — no matter how hard you try.

Ideally, you should select a brightly colored helmet for added visibility. Check the number of air vents, as this can increase the airflow and the 'coolness' factor of your helmet. One final tip to get the right fit is to try helmets on with the sunglasses you wear when cycling. This will ensure that the ear piece and top of the frame fit well with your helmet choice.

Finally, any helmet that has been involved in a crash should be replaced. Any impact will crush the foam liner, although the damage may not be visible. Once crushed this foam doesn't expand again so its protective capacity is gone.