The use of a helmet can save lives

Before we delve into how to choose the right helmet and how to properly wear it, it is crucial to understand that:

"No matter what kind of helmet we wear while cycling, it can save lives even when we just hop down to the store and fall at a speed of 5 km/h due to an unexpected situation!"

Unfortunately, we learned this lesson through a tragic incident that occurred within our circle of acquaintances: he was only cycling a few hundred meters that day when a little kitten rushed in front of him. He fell and hit his head in such an unfortunate way that there was no way to help him. He wasn't wearing a helmet that day.

Over the weekend, at the BB365 Port in Balatonföldvár, a family arrived to pick up the bikes they had booked online, and we struck up a conversation with the father. They had come to Lake Balaton for cycling because of Kajla. We planned to do a Kajla tour together, which involved visiting certain stamp points along the route using the balatonbike365.hu bicycle route planner. We shared the route with him in both saved tour and GPX formats, and he even downloaded the BB365 mobile app to navigate during the tour.

When they set off, we noticed that only the children were wearing helmets, so we asked the father if they had helmets as well but just hadn't put them on yet. With a smile, the father replied,

"they don't plan on going fast, they don't usually fall, they won't be going off-road, and besides, they don't wear rings or necklaces, so they won't bother with the helmet either."

In a non-intrusive yet firm manner, we emphasized to him that we strongly recommend wearing a helmet. Not planning to go fast? If he cycles from Tihany along the bike path to the Őrtorony parking lot, he can easily exceed a speed of 50 km/h. Unexpected situations cannot be foreseen by anyone, and that's when accidents most commonly happen, even to experienced cyclists.

In the end, they requested helmets from the staff at BB365 Port. I sincerely hope that their nearly 60-kilometer tour went well!

What should you know about cycling helmets?

We visited Feri at the Rudy Project showroom, who will guide us into the world of helmets designed for cycling in our next video.

 

What to consider when buying or renting a helmet?

Comply with regulations and look for the CE mark!

The CE mark indicates compliance with European regulations. Never purchase or rent a helmet that does not have the CE mark inside the helmet shell or on its label! You can find more information about certifications on the Hungarian-language website of Rudy Project.

Always choose the right size!

Most manufacturers produce helmets in multiple sizes. Neither a helmet that is too large nor one that is too small will provide adequate protection in the event of an accident. For children and adults alike, the right size is one that doesn't squeeze the head but fits perfectly according to the adjustment options and the circumference of our head.

Choose a helmet that suits your cycling habits!

Most manufacturers produce helmets for at least two types of usage: mountain biking and road or touring cycling.

For those who prefer mountain biking and spend a lot of time cycling off-road or downhill, it is advisable to choose a helmet specifically designed for mountain biking.

For those who occasionally venture off-road but don't primarily focus on it, a road helmet is the appropriate choice.

Regardless of which helmet we wear, it drastically reduces the chance of head injury in the event of a fall or accident!

How to adjust the helmet?

When using a helmet, it is important to wear it correctly and adjust it to fit our head properly since most helmets offer several adjustment options.

It is not good if the helmet sits on our eyebrows, but it should also not leave our forehead exposed, as in both cases, either the back of our skull or our forehead will not be adequately protected by the helmet. When we put on the properly sized helmet, it should start about one finger's width above our eyebrows.

Once the helmet is in this position, we should adjust it to the size of our head using the adjustable dial located at the back. We don't need to tighten it too much because in the long run, it can be uncomfortable and tiring. The adjustment is correct when the helmet is secure but not overly tight.

Adjusting the chin strap is also important. It is not good if it is so loose that it can fall off during a fall, but it is also not ideal if it feels tight and presses downward on our head. Generally, the correct adjustment for the chin strap is when we can fit at least one, but no more than two fingers between our chin and the closed strap while keeping our head upright.

How long can we use our helmet, and does it have an expiration date?

The lifespan of helmet materials depends on various environmental factors and usage habits, so there is no definitive answer to this. Under normal use, we can be confident that our helmet will provide the intended protection for 3-5 years from the date of manufacture. It is important to:

• Avoid leaving our helmet in direct sunlight when we're not cycling, and
• Avoid exposing it to extreme temperatures (e.g., leaving it on the car dashboard during summer or drying it near a heater),

as these factors can "age" the materials of our helmet, reducing the protection it offers over time.

If we have fallen with our helmet, it has done its job, and we should get a new one!

In the event of a fall, the helmet's role is to absorb part of the impact and protect us from physical injury. Even if there are no visible signs of damage to the helmet, there may be cracks that compromise its ability to provide the intended safety. If we have had a fall, we should purchase a new helmet as soon as possible and never attempt to sell the old one, as it will no longer offer the same level of protection in case of another accident!

Always use a helmet, safety doesn't hurt!

Rudy Project provided us with a Venger helmet to demonstrate the difference between wearing a helmet and not wearing one when cycling with Bujti.