Save the Pain, Cover the Brain!
A nationwide schools competition was held to find a new slogan to encourage kids to wear their bike helmets. Nearly 700 kids entered from which "Save the pain, cover the brain", was chosen.
Think not wearing a helmet is cool?
How cool is sitting in a wheelchair while your friends are having fun on their bikes, or not being able to read, write or speak again?
That's what may happen if you get brain damage and it could all happen in a split second - if head meets hard concrete at speed.
Hitting the deck hard with your head is not just unlucky, it is likely to happen at some stage if you cycle a lot. So be the smart person who is wearing the helmet and you will come out a lot better off!
Wearing a helmet could even keep you alive...
"Over the last two years there have been 27 deaths, and a large number of serious injuries to cyclists, some of whom could have been saved if they had taken the time to wear their cycle helmets correctly," said Police Superintendent fro Road Safety Steve Fitzgerald.
What's more even the pro cyclists wear helmets.
Sarah Ulmer, is a keen supporter of cycle safety and is supporting the new campaign.
"Because I spend so much time on the roads, I'm very aware of how vulnerable a cyclist is amongst traffic. Some helmets are really cool helmets so now you can look funky, and also be really safe.
I wouldn't even DREAM of going out on my bike, even just down to the shops, without putting my helmet on, it's the most important part of ANY of your bike gear"...
Getting the fit right
Position flat and square on head
Incorrect Helmet Positions:
NOT tilted forward so it covers your eyes
NOT tilted back so your forehead is uncovered
NOT tilted to either side so it covers the side of your head
Adjusting the Straps Correctly:
If your helmet is still not firm even if you've got it in the right position, then you might need to adjust the straps. The best way to do this is:
Loosen all the straps first then put your helmet on
Get someone to help
Start with the chinstrap
Adjust so buckle is under your chin but you can still breathe and speak normally
Adjust back straps so they meet chinstraps just below each ear lobe. They should be firm but do not pull the chinstrap out of line
My Helmet is loose, what should I do?
You may need to fit adjuster pads - they should be no more than 1cm thick (if it is greater than this the helmet will move around on your head if you were to crash). If you need pads greater than 1 cm, the helmet is probably too big for you.
Buy a new helmet now if:
You have not got one!
The helmet you have is too big or too small for you.
The helmet you have is damaged. A cracked or worn helmet will not protect your head in the event of a crash.
You have had a crash when wearing your current one. Sometimes you cannot see the damage but a crash can weaken your helmet
