Make Sure the Helmet Fits
Ask KOMO: Bike Helmet Safety
Bicycling is a wonderful way to get around. Bicyclists reduce traffic jams, protect the environment and keep physically active. Unfortunately, bicycling is not risk-free.
Please remember that a helmet won’t protect your head if it doesn’t fit right. It should feel fairly snug – but not so tight that it gives you a headache – and it should be centered on the top of your head. Learn how to properly fit bike helmets for your family:
Watch a "how-to" video (KOMO 4 TV)
Safe Kids USA:
Safety Saves - Bike Safety
Watch Safety Saves: Bike Safety (Safe Kids USA)
Download helmet fitting instructions in English or Spanish (PDF)
Bike accidents are the second leading cause of serious injury in school-age children. Each year, an average of two bicyclists are killed in the Seattle area, and more than 200 are severely injured.
Head injury is the leading cause of bicycle-related death and disability. Bicycle helmets can reduce these risks by 85%. Wearing a helmet is required by law in Seattle, Tacoma, Bremerton and many other Washington cities. However, many kids either don’t have a helmet or won’t wear one.
Free Bike Helmet Fitting and Giveway Events
In partnership with Kohl’s department stores, we are working to get more kids into helmets. Come visit us at:
Free helmets available for children age 1 to 18. Wearers must be present and fit to receive a helmet. Quantities are limited. Check out the many other fun health fair activities here.
Date: Sunday, March 25, 2012
Time: noon to 4 p.m.
Location: Seattle Children's Bellevue Clinic and Surgery Center
15000 116th Ave. NE
Bellevue, WA 98004
Ballard Helmet Fitting and Giveaway
Free helmets available for children age 1 to 18. Wearers must be present and fit to receive a helmet. Quantities are limited.
Date: Sunday, April 1, 2012
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Ballard Commons Park
5701 22nd Ave NW
Ballard, WA 98107
Kohl's Helmet Fitting and Giveaway
Free helmets available for children age 1 to 18. Wearers must be present and fit to receive a helmet. Quantities are limited.
Date: Saturday, April 21, 2012
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Kohl's Lynnwood
18405 Alderwood Mall Parkway
Lynnwood, WA 98037
Child Safety Day
Free helmets available for children age 1 to 18. Wearers must be present and fit to receive a helmet. Quantities are limited. Free car seat installation safety checks will also be available on a first come first serve basis.
Date: Saturday, May 5, 2012
Time: noon to 3 p.m.
Location: Rainier Community Center, 4600 38th Ave South, Seattle, WA 98118
Safe Kids Saturday
Free helmets available for children age 1 to 18. Wearers must be present and fit to receive a helmet. Quantities are limited.
Date: Saturday, May 12, 2012
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Kadlec Regional Medical Center, 888 Swift Blvd., 18405 Alderwood Mall Parkway, Lynnwood, WA 98037
Fiesta De Salud
Free helmets available for children age 1 to 18. Wearers must be present and fit to receive a helmet. Quantities are limited.
Date: Saturday, July 28, 2012
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Fiesta Foods, 1088 Nob Hill Blvd., Yakima, WA 98092
Kohl's Helmet Fitting and Giveaway
Free helmets available for children age 1 to 18. Wearers must be present and fit to receive a helmet. Quantities are limited.
Date: Saturday, August 18, 2012
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Kohl's Lacey, 681 Sleater Kinney Road Southeast, Lacey, WA 98503
Kohl's Helmet Fitting and Giveaway
Free helmets available for children age 1 to 18. Wearers must be present and fit to receive a helmet. Quantities are limited.
Date: Saturday, September 8, 2012
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Kohl's Tukwila, 17150 Southcenter Parkway, Tukwila, WA 98188
Low-Cost Helmet Resource
Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation
- Address: Warren G. Magnuson Park, 7400 Sand Point Way NE, Suite 101-S, Seattle, WA 98115
- Cost: $10 per helmet
- Traditional bike helmets and multi-sport helmet available in sizes toddler to XL
- For more information, visit CBCEF.org.
- To make an appointment, call 206-957-4439 or email cmpa@cascasebicycleclub.org.