All about helmets!

Fitting a Helmet

A bike helmet that fits you properly will feel better — and do its job in case of a crash. But how do you select the right size bike helmet?

To find your bike helmet size, measure the circumference of your head using a cloth tape measure or a piece of string and a ruler. Be sure to measure horizontally across your brow and over your ears. Most helmets come with a size guide (or you can find one online), so make sure to measure your head before you go to save some time!

You also want to look for a helmet that matches your style of riding. Road bike helmets are designed to be lightweight, well ventilated and aerodynamic. Mountain bike helmets often offer extended rear head coverage to account for collisions with objects on off-road trails. If you’re an everyday commuter or recreational rider, look for helmets that are well-ventilated with an adjustable tightening wheel and visor to help shield some sun.

Get the right fit

Put your helmet level on your head (not tilted back) with the front edge two fingers above your eyebrows. This helps protect your forehead.

If your helmet has one, tighten the rear adjustment dial until the helmet no longer wobbles or slips. It’s important to have your helmet properly positioned before tightening it.

Next buckle the chin strap. The straps should join right under your ear to form a “V”. Adjust the straps around both ears so they are not twisted and it’s comfortable. You can use your pointer and middle fingers to form a “V” around your ears to figure out the best position — snug but not too tight. Put those same two fingers together and put them between the strap and your chin. There should be enough room for two fingers. Any tighter and you may have trouble breathing, talking or drinking water while riding, any looser and your helmet can easily be knocked to the side.

A helmet that fits correctly should be comfortable and will not move forward (obscuring your vision) or backward (exposing your forehead.) A comfortable helmet is a helmet that you’ll actually wear!

Check out this video from our friends at Georgia Bikes.

Learn more tips on our Resources Page.

This blog post is produced thanks to support from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

Bike Walk Savannah Receives $31,869.28 Grant from Governor’s Office of Highway Safety

Bike Walk Savannah has received a $31,869.28 grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS).

The grant will help finance BWS’s education programs, safety campaigns, work with local governments to improve infrastructure, printing of the popular Bike SAV bike map and guide, pedestrian safety materials, and other programs aimed at making Savannah and Chatham County safer for people who ride bikes and walk for transportation and recreation.

“The loss of one life on our roads is one too many, and the fact that almost all fatal traffic crashes can be prevented is one reason why we are awarding this grant,” said GOHS Director Allen Poole. “The target of zero traffic deaths in our nation is achievable, and we will continue to help develop and implement educational messages, enforcement campaigns, and other safety initiatives aimed at bringing us one step closer to our goal.”

“Many people in Savannah and Chatham County depend on biking and walking for daily transportation,” said Caila Brown, executive director of Bike Walk Savannah. “And many more make the choice to add biking and walking to their mobility options, whether for transportation or recreation. We are grateful for the support of GOHS as it allows us to continue and expand the programs we’ve been offering, with the goal of improving safety for all people on the streets of Chatham County, no matter their mode of transportation.”

The grant year for this award is Oct. 1, 2019 to Sept. 30, 2020.

Savannah Bicycle Campaign receives $30,319.30 grant from Governor’s Office of Highway Safety

Savannah, GA — The Savannah Bicycle Campaign has received a $30,319.30 grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS). The grant will help finance SBC’s education programs, safety campaigns, work with local governments to improve infrastructure, printing of the popular Bike SAV bike map and guide, and other programs aimed at making Savannah and Chatham County safer for people who ride bikes for transportation and recreation.

“We are excited to have Savannah Bicycle Campaign as a grantee again for the coming year,” said GOHS Communication Manager Robert Hydrick. “They have been with us for several years and are a great advocate for the cycling community in and around Chatham County. This grant will help them continue to create safe and convenient bicycling environments in the Savannah area.”

“In Savannah and Chatham County, many people depend our their bicycles for daily transportation,” said John R. Bennett, executive director of the Savannah Bicycle Campaign. “In addition, more people are using bicycles for healthy exercise. We have also noted Savannah’s emergence as a bicycle tourism destination, with local and national bike tour companies active year round. Support from GOHS is critical to our goal of preventing crashes that injure and kill people who ride bikes.”

The grant year for this award is Oct. 1, 2018 to Sept. 30, 2019. For more information on GOHS and its highway safety programs, visit www.gahighwaysafety.org.

SBC receives $26,600 grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety

GOHS LogoThe Savannah Bicycle Campaign has received a $26,600 grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to fund programs aimed at reducing bicycle-related injuries and fatalities in Chatham County.

The grant, which will continue through September of 2014, will help finance education programs for bicyclists and drivers, dissemination of information on roadway safety, and efforts to encourage best practices for safe cycling.

“The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety is committed to keeping everyone safe on our roads and highways, from the smallest precious cargo to the most seasoned drivers,” said GOHS Director Harris Blackwood. “This grant will help the Savannah Bicycle Campaign reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities on Georgia roadways.”

“We are grateful for the support of GOHS as it allows us continue and expand the beneficial programs we’ve been offering, with the goal of improving safety for people who ride bicycles for recreation or transportation in Chatham County,” said John Bennett, executive director of the Savannah Bicycle Campaign

For more information on this grant program, contact GOHS at 404-656-6996. For more information on GOHS and its highway safety programs, visit www.gahighwaysafety.org.