Cycle helmets

Head injury is the main cause of disability and death resulting from cycle accidents, but correctly chosen and worn cycle helmets have been shown to reduce the risk of head injury in the event of an accident. Cycle helmets should be worn on every journey.

Choosing a helmet

Before choosing a cycle helmet, it’s important to know what to look for – use the checklist below to help you choose and correctly wear the right helmet for you or your child.

You should make sure that any helmet you buy has a “CE” mark and meets one of the following standards:

BS EN 1078:1997
BS 6863:1989
SNELL B.95

Helmets that also have a British Standard Kitemark are even better.

Wearing the helmet correctly

The helmet should be level, and sit just above the eyebrows. It should not tilt backwards or forwards – the forehead should not be exposed, and your vision should not be restricted

The helmet should fit closely to your head and feel comfortable – when you shake or nod your head, your helmet should stay in place

The helmet should have an inner layer of polystyrene and either a hard plastic shell or a mesh cover

The helmet and straps should not cover your ears – the straps should go around the ears, forming a “V” shape under the ear lobe, and there should be no slack in the straps

Most helmets come with adjustment pads and instructions for fitting the helmet and adjusting the straps – make sure that you read these carefully to ensure that the helmet is fitted correctly.