The Colorado Springs Fire Department, Safe Kids, Think First-National Injury Prevention Foundation and Memorial Hospital are holding the second annual Bike Safety Fair this Sunday. It will be from 11 AM to 3 PM at Station 8 which is at 3602 Airport Road. Not only will kids get a free helmet while they last, but there will also be food, entertainment, a dunk tank and a bicycle rodeo.

300 free kids helmets will be given away first come, first served. According to the Brain Injury Association of America, brain injury is the leading cause of death in bicycle crashes and it is the leading cause of disability among those who survive. When I started riding a lot, my mom gave me the choice of wearing a helmet or not riding. I complained about wearing a helmet but didn’t want to give up riding.

When I was 19, a helmet most likely saved my life or at least prevented brain injury. I haven’t complained about wearing a helmet since then. I was racing at the velodrome when a few other racers went down in front of me. We were probably going about 30 mph. I ended up hitting another bike. I got launched about 15 feet into the air and came down straight on my head on the concrete. My helmet shattered into 3 pieces and it was just held together by the internal netting. Part of my helmet was melted from sliding on the concrete. The paramedics insisted I go to the ER. Not only did they strap me to the backboard but they also taped me because they were worried about a neck injury. When they wheeled me into the ER, the doctor took one look at my helmet and told me I was lucky to be there. I walked out 30 minutes later and only had bruises and friction burns.

Wearing a helmet is a good first step but it also needs to be fitted properly. I see a lot of kids with their helmet tipped too far back on their head. If they fall forward, they’ll hit their forehead instead of their helmet. It can take a bit of work to get the helmet to fit correctly. My 4 year old daughter likes the cheap Strawberry Shortcake helmet that somebody gave us. It took several adjustments to get it to sit right on her head. The chin strap slowly loosens up and I have to keep tightening it. She complains if I tighten it too tight. Bicyclinginfo.org has some good tips on helmet fit and ways to get your kid to wear a helmet.

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