Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do bike helmets really make bike riding safer?

A: Yes! Brash as this may sound, if you fell off your bike due to an unexpected accident, would you rather your head be protected or unprotected?

Q: I tow my kids around in a bike rickshaw. Are they required to wear helmets?

A: In most states, yes, they are required to wear helmets, assuming your children are under the age of 5.

Q: When was the bike helmet invented?

A: The first modern bike helmets, with a shell and foam lining, were produced in the 1970s by Bell Sports and MSR.

Q: I live in California. My 17 year old son doesn't want to wear a helmet when biking. Does he have to?

A: Yes, until he's 18, California state law requires him to wear a helmet. However, we recommend (highly) that bikers of all ages wear helmets to reduce the risk of cranial injury and set an example for others.

Q: I crashed on my bike the other day. I'm fine, but I hit my helmet pretty hard on a mailbox. Do I need a new helmet?

A: Glad you're OK! Even if you're helmet looks fine, the expanded polystyrene lining was probably damaged in absorbing the impact energy of your fall. It is indeed necessary to buy a new helmet.