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Bicycle Helmets

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Any person less than 16 years of age operating or riding on a bicycle on a public roadway, public sidewalk, public bicycle path or any other public right-of-way under the jurisdiction and control of the City of Port Washington shall wear a protective helmet, properly fastened and designed for bicycle safety.

If you are unable to purchase a helmet for your child, the Port Washington Police Department will provide one, free of charge. Both the child and the parent will need to stop at the Port Washington Police Department to receive the helmet. The parent is responsible for properly adjusting the helmet for their child.

The following information is provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the selection and use of bicycle helmets:

Fitting A Bicycle Helmet - Position
Put the helmet on your child's head so it sits evenly between the ears and rests low on the forehead - it should only be about 1-2 finger widths above the eyebrows.

Fitting A Bicycle Helmet - Pads
Put foam pads inside the helmet so it feels comfortable but really snug. Usually, the helmet includes more than one size of foam pads that can be velcroed inside the helmet for a better fit.

Fitting A Bicycle Helmet - Straps
Tighten the chin strap as snugly as possible. Adjust the junction of front and back straps just under the ears and secure the back strap without putting pressure on the front strap.

If all of this sounds confusing, follow the simple 5-Step Helmet Fit Test below. The helmet should pass each of the five steps.

5-STEP HELMET FIT TEST
Step	Problem	Solution
1. With one hand, gently lift the front of the helmet up and back.	Helmet moves back to uncover the forehead.	Tighten front strap to junction. Also, adjust padding thickness and/or position, especially in back. Make sure the chin strap is snug. If this doesn't work, the helmet may be too big.
2. With one hand, gently lift the back of the helmet up and forward.	Helmet moves forward to cover the eyes.	Tighten back strap. Make sure the chin strap is snug. Also, adjust padding thickness and/or position, especially in the front.
3. Put a hand on each side of the helmet and rock from side to side. Have your child shake their head "no" as hard as possible.	The helmet slips from side to side.	Check padding on sides and make sure the straps are evenly adjusted.
4. Have your child open their mouth (lower jaw) as wide as possible, without moving their head. The top of the helmet should pull down.	The helmet does not pull down when opening their mouth.	Tighten the chin strap. Make sure the front and back strap junction is under each ear.
5. Check to see if the front edge of the helmet covers their forehead. The front edge of the helmet should not be more than 1 to 2 finger-widths from their eyebrows.	The helmet does not cover the child's forehead.	Position helmet no more than 1 to 2 finger-widths above eyebrows. Tighten any loose straps. Make adjustments so the helmet stays over the forehead.

For more information regarding city ordinances governing this issue, please visit the City of Port Washington Municipal Codes web page.