GRAND Magazine - February 2009 - (Page 40) Cycle safe By Terry SpaeTh what’s wrong with the photo? No strap on the helmet, loose pant legs and unsafe riding shoes. A lwayS wear Bike helmeTS, even for a short ride. A head injury can mean brain injury. Helmets should have stickers that prove they meet standards set by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). To fit a helmet properly, be sure it is level and snug. If it slides, you need thicker pads. Eyes must be clear: It is important to see the edge of your helmet when you look up past your eyebrows. Straps must meet under your earlobes to form a Y, loose enough so you can breathe and insert a finger between the buckle and your skin, but tight enough so if you drop your jaw, you can feel the helmet pull down the top of your head. The straps should always be fastened—otherwise, your helmet is likely to fall off your head when you need it most. Never wear a hat under a helmet. Avoid headphones. Music can distract a child from noises—such as a car blowing its horn. Your grandchildren can personalize helmets with reflective stickers—they’re cool and make the rider more visible. A bicycle is not something you should buy for your grandchild to “grow into.” To check for fit, have the child stand on a bike, straddling the top bar so that both feet are flat on the ground. There should be 1 to 2 inches between the child and the top tube (bar) if using a road bike, and 3 to 4 inches if it’s a mountain bike. The seat should be level front to back, and adjusted to allow a slight bend at the knee when the leg is fully extended. Handlebar height should be at the same level as the seat. Have a bike shop safety-check the bike annually. 40 GRAND FEBRUARY 2009
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