«By bike, you don’t have to wear a helmet, it’s just essential ”. Since June 2002, this slogan of the prevention campaign led by the Health Insurance and the National Institute of Prevention and Health Education is familiar to us. In children, bicycle accidents result in a head injury in 55% of cases. However, wearing a helmet reduces the risk of head trauma and brain damage by 80 to 85% in the event of a fall or collision.
To be effective, the helmet must:
– be CE approved;
– be perfectly adapted to the user’s head: once in place and adjusted with the various settings, it should not move;
– stand alone (without attaching the chin strap when trying on);
– descend low towards the back of the skull.
After an impact, it is absolutely necessary to change your helmet (even if it does not show any visible damage).
Most:
A colored helmet with reflectors makes your child more visible; an integrated visor protects the face in the event of a frontal fall.
Practical details Regularly check the brake pads, lighting and general condition of the bike. Never let the child ride a bicycle unattended. Prefer flat and smooth places. If you live in a city, pedestrian areas (not crowded), dead ends, park paths (without gravel) or the hallway of the house will be safer than sidewalks. |
See our Tricycles test bench