Bicycle Helmet Fitting

I just returned from the League of American Bicyclists' "Bicycle Education Leaders' Conference" in Madison in time for the Courier submission deadline. The 4-day event was filled with great networking opportunities and lots of good ideas and suggestions.

One of the best tips I heard was the "Eyes, Ears, and Mouth Test" for proper helmet fit from Jeff Miller of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine:

  • To check your helmet fit, put on your helmet and look up with your EYES. Make sure you can see the edge of the brim of your helmet. This ensures that your helmet is low on your forhead and level on your head.
  • Feel with your hands where the buckles sit under your EARS. The buckles should sit right below the earlobes and slightly to the front of them.
  • Open your MOUTH. You should feel the chin strap pull the helmet down tight on your head. If your chin doesn't touch your chin strap, you need to tighten the strap. You should not be able to fit more than two fingers between the strap and you chin.
  • Check out your helmet fit today. Please call or email the office if you'd like a helmet fit brochure (e-mail the CBC Education Director or call 206-523-1952).