Helmet Discount

For a fifth straight year, Ottawa Public Health has partnered with sports retailers across Ottawa to bring Ottawa residents a discount on helmets.

Helmets prevent serious brain and head injuries by absorbing the force from a fall or hit to the head.

Helmets are recommended for activities like skateboarding, rollerblading, biking, sledding, skating skiing and snowboarding.

In Ontario, it is mandatory for anyone under the age of 18 to wear a certified helmet while riding a bicycle (Highway Traffic Act). Consider a cycling course in your community.

Check out the following retailers between Saturday May 14, 2016 and Sunday May 15, 2016 to get your helmet discount:



List of helmet retailers:

What are some helpful helmet tips?

Parents set a good example by wearing their helmet

Do not place stickers on your helmet

Remember, anyone under the age of 18 years must wear a helmet when cycling – it’s the law

If children switch activities, they should take off the helmet. If the helmet is left on while a child plays on a play structure or climbs, the helmet chinstrap can get caught and strangle the child

Most helmets will fit into one of the following categories

Single impact: example-bicycle helmet. They are designed to protect against one impact. Must be replaced after a crash or hard hit to the head, even if you can’t see any damage.

Multi impact: example- hockey helmet. They are designed to protect against more than one impact. Must be replaced when you see damage.

Multi Sport: does not mean that it is multi impact but that it is approved for more than one activity. Check the maker’s label for the list of activities for which the helmet can be worn safely.

What to look for when buying a helmet:

Make sure that the helmet has been safety certified. There will be a certification sticker on the inside or outside of the helmet. The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) has a standard for bicycle helmets.

Never buy a used helmet.

Buy a helmet that fits now and not one that a child has to grow into.

Fitting a bike helmet



Know the 2V1 rule to fit a bicycle helmet. Put the helmet on the head so it is level and so it is not tilting backwards or forwards. Then check the following:

Two fingers distance from helmet to eyebrow.

V-shape straps around each ear.

One finger between chin and fastened strap.

Instructions and illustrations provided by Parachute

When should I replace a helmet?

After a crash or large impact.

When it does not fit anymore.

Helmets with cracks, dents or frayed and torn straps should be replaced.

Every five years after the manufacturing date for bicycle helmets (this date will be on a sticker in or on the helmet).

Rolling with updated cycling laws in Ontario

Making the roads safe for people on bicycles requires the cooperation of everyone. Recently, Ontario updated its highway traffic act in an effort to encourage cycling, promote road safety and sharing of the road with all users. The updated laws are aimed to help cyclists and drivers more safely share the road.

Changes for cyclists:

If you’re out at dawn or dusk you’ll need lights on your bike (white light on, in the front and red light on, in the back) and reflective tape on the front and back forks. There’s a set fine of $110 for people who don’t have their bike properly lit.

Changes for drivers:

Drivers who ‘door’ (‘dooring’ or a ‘door prize’ refers to someone who opens a parked motor vehicle door into the path of a cyclist or other traffic) a cyclist will face a $365 fine and 3 demerit points. AND… if you choose to contest that fine, you could face up to a $1,000 fine and the 3 demerit points if convicted.

Drivers must stay at least 1M away from cyclists when passing them on the road. If you get convicted of passing closer than 1M you face a $110 fine.

Make sure you follow the new rules to avoid fines and stay safe on the roads. Remember that road safety is everyone’s responsibility and the more we work together the safer our roads become.

Do you have more questions?