When riding sports-type bicycles such as road bikes, wearing a helmet is standard practice.

Sports-type bicycles like road bikes tend to pick up speed more easily than city bikes, so helmets are worn to prevent serious injury in the event of a fall or accident.

Here, I would like to explain how to choose and wear a helmet when riding an E-bike.

■Purpose of Wearing a Helmet

E-bikes tend to go faster than regular bicycles.

The drive unit assists with strong pedaling, and once up to speed, you can continue to ride fast without much effort.

Since you can ride long distances at high speeds without getting tired, the risks also increase proportionally.

Since helmets are worn even for regular sports bikes, it is natural to wear one for E-bikes, which can go even faster.

The primary purpose is head protection.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department's "Percentage of Injured Body Parts for Bicycle Accident Fatalities in Tokyo from 2015 to 2017," 71% of bicycle accident injuries are concentrated in the head.

Moreover, a bad blow to the head can lead to very serious consequences.

Wearing a helmet can significantly reduce this risk.

■How to Choose a Helmet

So, when choosing a helmet, what criteria do you use?

Generally, people use the following criteria:

・Shape

・Color

・Pattern

・Size

・Functionality

・Price

Among these, "price" is a major deciding factor.

However, in this case, it's something you use every day, and it's meaningless if it doesn't function properly in an emergency.

Be sure to consider factors other than price before making a purchase.

• Size

First, size is very important.

Bring a tape measure and measure the circumference of your head.

It may be unclear exactly where on the head to measure, but it's best to measure the area where the helmet will sit.

• Choose Japanese-made

This is not about patriotism, but many Japanese people have round heads.

Overseas helmets are often designed for American and European markets, catering to people with oval-shaped heads.

If you simply measure your head circumference and buy, it might not fit surprisingly well or feel uncomfortable.

Choose a helmet made for the Japanese market, or if there's an "Asian fit" series, choose that one.

• Consider ventilation

Helmets worn at construction sites have no ventilation.

While it might be okay in winter, in summer, sweat can drip and be dangerous.

Most importantly, it's hot.

Bicycle helmets have ventilation holes called "vents."

These are cleverly designed to allow air to flow through, making them look cool.

Your head won't get stuffy, making it comfortable.

• Some come with goggles

When cycling at high speeds, insects can fly into your eyes or mouth.

That indescribable annoyance when something gets in your eye!

To prevent this, you wear goggles, but some helmets have integrated goggles.

Considering portability, goggles can be cumbersome, so an integrated helmet and goggle system is convenient for carrying.

■How to Wear a Helmet

While looking cool is one reason to wear a helmet, as mentioned above, the primary purpose is head protection.

Therefore, when wearing a helmet, fasten the chin strap securely.

Adjust the length of the strap so that the helmet doesn't float off your head when the buckle is fastened.

If it's too tight, it will be uncomfortable, and if it floats, the helmet might come off in the event of a fall, rendering it useless.

Wearing a helmet so that your forehead is exposed looks bad and also reduces safety.

Also, if you lower it so much that it covers your eyes, the straps are usually loose, and your vision becomes narrow, which is dangerous.

Always remember that the helmet is for protecting your head and keep the chin strap tightened.

■Summary

The purpose of a helmet is head protection.

Choose it correctly and wear it correctly.

If you find the right size for you, choose one that looks good.

Price is an important factor, but also check the functionality before choosing.