Bicycle safety should include a properly secured helmet

Dear editor:

I was very happy to see the article about kids being taught bicycle safety - until I looked closely at the photo. Why weren't those children taught how to properly adjust and wear their helmets?

Years ago I was involved with bicycling groups in California - I rode many 100 mile rides. Helmet safety was extremely important to me, and if I saw anyone wearing a poorly adjusted helmet, I would explain that a poorly adjusted helmet is as bad as wearing no helmet at all. I adjusted helmets for kids, adults, bicycle police officers, and my husband. I mention my husband because if I hadn't adjusted his helmet, he would be dead today. Instead he is alive with some traumatic brain injury issues related to being hit, while on his bicycle, by an F250 truck and thrown 20 feet. 

I urge that the officers doing the training learn how to teach the correct adjustment of helmets. Kids will complain when the chin strap is "too tight" even though it really isn't. They will also complain when they shouldn't tilt the helmet back on their heads. We are talking safety and saving lives.

Kathy Tate

Howard