There are many benefits to wearing a bicycle helmet. One of the major ones is the protection of your brain. Bicycling can be an enjoyable recreational activity, but it can also be dangerous if you’re not properly protected.
When biking, you’re up in the air with nothing but pavement below you. Having a helmet on will protect your head and spine during a fall or accident. This article will teach you everything you need to know about bike helmets and why they’re important for everyone who rides their bike.
The History of Bike Helmets
When did you first notice that helmets became more prevalent? Was it when you started to see ads for them on the TV, or did you start seeing them at places such as the bike shops? There’s a reason that they’ve become popular to wear when you ride a bike. They prevent serious head injury if you’re involved in a bike accident.
How Was Bicycle Helmet invented?
In 1886, Hugh Harrod invented the first safety commuter helmet for bicyclists. The helmet he invented was patented on April 11, 1887. It consisted of a piece of blackened cardboard with an elastic cord and rubber bung on the back. This was an improvement on other helmets of the time which were made of leather, plexiglass or horn. Harrod was trying to prevent serious head injuries.
What Do Helmet’s Protect?
Almost every bike helmet that’s on the market today has to pass safety standards. Standards in the United States include ISO, EN, CPSC, ASTM, and UL. For the purpose of this article, we’re focusing on ISO, EN, CPSC, ASTM and UL.
These standards require that a bicycle helmet is able to fit well in a wide variety of rider types and sizes. A helmet must meet the minimum safety standards in order to get a CE certification, or to be sold to the public. In order for a helmet to pass standards set by a product safety organization, it must pass several tests.
Many helmets are made from materials that are supposed to withstand the impact of a crash and still hold the shape of the head. This is meant to make the helmet lighter.
The Importance of Wearing a Helmet
There are three basic factors when it comes to bicycle safety. There’s your risk of falling, your risk of being hit by another car, and your risk of getting hit by a car. There are four main types of crashes a bicyclist can experience.
A serious crash is when a cyclist comes down on a car, truck, or bus. When this happens, they’re usually injured or killed. Less serious crashes are when a cyclist is hit by a car or truck, but they suffer no injuries. A minor crash is when a cyclist hits another biker and they have no injuries.
A collision that doesn’t involve a collision happens when a car or truck pulls into the cyclist’s path. Here, a car or truck is still involved, but they don’t hit the cyclist. A car running over a cyclist can be fatal.
Where to Buy a Bike Helmet
Most stores will sell motorcycle helmets, but you should ask about the style and availability. Different states and cities have different laws. In many states, riders are required to wear a helmet. In other areas, the law doesn’t specify. It’s your best bet to ask your local bike shop or government agency before you leave the house.
There are clip-on helmets, bike goggles, and helmets designed specifically to fit your head. The choice is up to you and your personality, so you can look cute or get a helmet that fits. Some bike helmets look similar. For example, all Bianchi helmets share the same basic design. One thing that differentiates them, however, is the material they are made from.
Choose the right size and shape for you
Although there are some bike helmets available with internal frames, the majority of helmets sold have external frames. They’re easier to wear and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Take your time when choosing a helmet, considering its position on your head and the type of activity you’re about to engage in.
Check the manufacturer’s website to make sure they offer helmets in your size and shape. Most smart bike helmets are available in several different colors, but you’ll want to make sure you’re getting a bright color to increase your visibility if you’re going out in the daytime. There are different types of bike helmets Most bike helmets on the market have two main types of frame, known as a shell and a liner.
How to Store Your Bike Helmet
Keep your helmet in good condition and clean. If it’s new, it will be in good shape if it’s clean and shiny. Even though helmets are great protection, it’s really important to keep them clean. Any dirt or grime on them will cause them to look bad and will reduce their effectiveness.
When you’ve taken your helmet off, make sure to wipe it down with a towel to remove any moisture that may have collected on it. How to Clean Your Bike Helmet Put your helmet on a washing machine. For cleanliness, you’ll want to use a heavy-duty cycle.
Put your helmet in your machine on its back and wash with mild detergent, unless your helmet is extremely dirty. If you’ve worn your helmet outside during your bike ride, it will most likely need to be cleaned with something special designed for bike helmets.
Keep it in the bag it came in
The first bike helmets didn’t come in a hard plastic case. Instead, the first helmet was little more than a piece of canvas. The inventor of this form of protection was German track cyclist Wilhelm Langenkamp. The father of track cycling, Langenkamp was known for his great speed on his bike. Unfortunately, he was also known for getting hit by other cyclists and cars.
His invention was called a “laissez-faire” helmet. Langenkamp wanted to make a helmet that would be the perfect accessory for his track bike. This piece of gear was the precursor to what we know as a bike helmet. It included a reinforced canvas neck and back padding. This greatly improved the safety of those on his bike. The helmet, which was quite rudimentary by modern standards, has been passed down in his family.
Find out how often helmets should be replaced
Did you know you should replace your bike helmet every two years? This will be a good deadline for you to stop using it, so you don’t forget to replace it! Every year or two you should be replacing your helmet so that it can last a long time.
Helmets should also be cleaned regularly. Wear some old towels, warm water and a few of those fragrant, white vinegar wipes and clean the lenses. When was the first helmet ever invented? You may have heard of the leather helmet that soldiers used to wear in the Vietnam War, but this was not the first helmet ever made.
In fact, the bicycle helmet that we know today was actually invented by the Japanese. In 1889, Yukio Mishima, a Japanese Army officer, was riding his bicycle when he was hit by a truck.
Conclusion
A bicycle helmet is an essential accessory for anyone who rides a bike or participates in other cycling activities. For more safety tips, you can check out this blog post from PBS.
Related posts:
The 10 Best Motorcycle Helmet with Bluetooth of 2021
The 10 Best Bike Helmets for Commuting of 2021
The 10 Best Smart Bike Helmet of 2021
Are Black Bike Helmets Hotter Than Colored Ones? The Science Behind The Claim