Bike helmet safety is a critical issue for parents, pediatricians,
and consumer advocates as the numbers increase in bicycle-related
fatalities. To spur on innovation and safety design for helmets
many government organizations took steps to establishing testing
and certification procedures for all bicycle safety helmets.
In February 1999, all Bicycle
Helmets for sale in the United states were required to meet
the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standard for
bike helmets and state that on a sticker inside. The new standard
established a minimum level of head protection for impact related
accidents, including stress testing of the straps to guarantee
that they will be strong enough not to break in the event of a
collision.
Outside the US you should be careful to look for a standards
sticker that you recognize like the CEN standards in Europe or
the AUS (Standards Association of Australia) standard in Australia
as well as those published by the British Standards Institute
Certification:
There are many organizations that have got involved in helmet
certification over the years. The American Society for Testing
and Materials (ASTM), and American National Standards Institute
(ANSI) certification are mostly seen on older helmets and seem
to have ceded current testing procedures to the CPSC. Here is
a list of the most prominate players and what certification safety
stickers you should look for when buying bicylce safety helmets.
Consumer Products Safety Commission
(CPSC):
All cycling helmets sold in the US must now meet CPSC standard.
They have developed two safety standards - one for Adult and Youth
helmets, and one for Infant helmets (children 1 year old and under).
The difference between the two standards is the amount of coverage
in the rear of the helmet. You can determine which standard a
helmet meets by looking at the box label and the sticker inside
the helmet.
Snell Foundation:
In 1957 a group of scientists, physicians, racing colleagues and
friends teamed together to promote research, education, testing
and development of standards geared to improve the effectiveness
of automotive racing helmets. They have now expanded to include
helmet for bicycles, equestrian events, karting, skiing and snowboarding.
Snell's newer B-95 standard for bicycle safety helmets is the
most stringent standard in the market -- surpassing those set
by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the American National
Standards Institute (ANSI), the American Society of Testing Materials
(ASTM) and the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission's 16 CFR
Part 1203
Canadian Standards Association (CSA)
CSA approved bicycle helmets must undergo a series of tests designed
to simulate "real-life" conditions like falling from a bike or
running into a pole or tree. They include an impact test on a
flat anvil, a stability test and a chin strap test. In 1996 CSA
developed the first North American test for Child bicycle helmet
safety standards appropriate to the different physiology of a
child's head. Helmets designed according to the new requirements
will have thicker, less dense energy-absorbing material to better
protect the heads of kids under the age of five. Look for this
specific CSA label.
Consumer Reports Organization:
Is a independent nonprofit organization with a Testing and Research
Center, in Yonkers, N.Y., Their mandate is to analyze the safety
of standard consumer products, from toys to TV's. Here's a copy
of their latest 2006
bicycle helmet safety tests.
And on another vein >> Multi-crash Helmets:
There is no such thing as a multi crash helmet. There is no way
to know what damage a helmet has endured in any one crash, so
throw it out, spend another $100. and your brain will thank you!
Key Manufacturers of Quality Bicycle
Helmets:
Bell Bicycle Helmets
Giro Bicycle Helmets
More Information:
Bike Helmet:
Essentials of a Great Bicycle Helmet
Snell Foundation
Canadian Standards Association (CSA)
Consumer Reports Organization
CSA Testing & Report for Bicycle Helmet Safety
