Bike Helmet Tips for Afro Textured / Natural Hair

A few afro textured/natural hair and helmet tips from Pedal Positive volunteers...

• Hair protection:

  • Wear a fitted nylon skull cap, satin bonnet, or scarf/bandana to cover hair and also protect helmet from hair products.

• Styles:

  • Braids work well, as do two low ponytails or one low straight back ponytail.

  • Blow outs and curls from the hair salon are harder to maintain.

  • See additional suggestions in the links below.

• Helmets:

  • For hair styles with volume, such as braids, wear a larger size helmet (e.g. XL, 63cm, etc) that's also adjustable.

  • Choose a helmet with a robust size adjustment dial at the back.

  • Measure your head to determine determine the helmet size you need (see example graphic below)

  • Helmet brands, such as Specialized and Giro, have larger sizes available.

  • Skate style cycling helmets tend to have a rounder shape and therefore more space than some other styles.

• Helpful Links:

  • 7 Tips for Wearing a Helmet with Afro Textured Hair

  • Big Hair, Do Care: 7 Steps for Rocking a Bike Helmet Naturally

  • Styling Natural Hair For Cycling