Helmets are an essential piece of safety gear for any cyclist, but if you’re riding an electric bike, they can be even more important. That’s because eBikes can reach higher speeds than traditional bicycles, which means you’re more likely to get injured in a fall. Wearing a helmet can help protect your head and neck from serious injury, so choosing one that’s comfortable and well-ventilated is important. This blog post will share tips on How to Choose the Best eBike Helmet for You?
1. Consider Your Budget
The first step in choosing an eBike helmet is to consider your budget. Helmets can range in price from around $50 to $400 or more. If you’re a casual rider who doesn’t plan to ride often, you may not need to invest in a high-end helmet. However, if you’re a commuter who rides daily or someone who likes to go on long rides, you’ll want to invest in a quality helmet that will last.
2. Think About Comfort
Another important consideration is comfort. You’ll be wearing your helmet for hours at a time, so choosing one that’s comfortable to wear is important. Look for helmets with adjustable straps and plenty of ventilation, so you don’t end up with a sweaty head.
3. Choose the Right Size
Choosing a helmet that’s the right size for your head is also important. Most helmets come in small, medium, and large sizes. To find the right size, measure the circumference of your head just above your eyebrows with a tape measure. If you’re between sizes, opt for the larger size.
4. Safety Is Paramount
Of course, the most crucial consideration when choosing an eBike helmet is safety. All helmets must meet certain government safety standards, but some brands go above and beyond these requirements. Look for helmets with additional safety features like reflective materials or built-in lights when possible. These features can help make you more visible to drivers, which can help reduce the risk of accidents.
5 . Try Before You Buy
Finally, it’s always best to try a helmet before buying it. Different brands have different sizes, so what fits one person may not fit another properly. In addition, everyone has a different head shape, so what looks good on one person may not look as good on another.
When choosing an eBike helmet, you need to consider several things, such as budget, comfort, size, and safety. Try on different models before settling on one, and make sure it’s comfortable enough to wear for long periods. With so many options on the market, there’s no excuse not to find the perfect helmet for you!
The Helmet Safety Standards for Bicycles and eBikes.
Internationally there are many helmet standards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is in charge of bicycle helmet safety in the United States. The CPSC standard for bicycle helmets is very similar to the ones used in Europe and Australia. Bicycle helmets sold in the US must comply with this standard.
There are three main types of Helmet Standards that you should familiarize yourself with before you can properly choose the best eBike helmet:
-Voluntary Standards: A company can choose to follow a voluntary standard. These standards are not required by law but can be used as guidelines.
-Mandatory Standards: Mandatory standards are created by government agencies and companies must follow these standards.
-Private Label Standards: Private label standards are created by retailers. Companies that make products for these retailers must meet the retailers’ standards.
The CPSC standard for bicycle helmets is voluntary, but most companies choose to follow it. The CPSC standard requires that helmets have a label inside them that says, “This helmet complies with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s safety standard for bicycle helmets, 16 CFR part 1203.”
Two other standards are mandatory in the United States. These are the ANSI Z80.4 standard and the ASTM F1447 standard. Helmets that meet either of these standards can be sold as bicycle helmets.
ASTM F1952 Standards (Downhill Mountain Biking) ????♂️
The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) is a global organization that creates voluntary standards. The ASTM F1952 standard is for downhill mountain biking helmets. This standard is very similar to the CPSC bicycle helmet standard.
To meet the ASTM F1952 standard, helmets must:
– Withstand multiple impacts
– Protect against sharp objects
– Fit a wide range of head sizes
– Have a chin strap that stays in place during a fall
– Be comfortable to wear
– Not obstruct the rider’s vision
Helmets complying with the ASTM F1952 are much better suited for eBikes and eScooter because of the speeds they can attain.
ASTM F2032 Standard (Electric Bike) and BMX:
The ASTM F2032 is the standard for electric bikes. This standard is very similar to the CPSC bicycle helmet standard. Since eBikes and eScooters can cruise at much higher speeds and climb much steeper inclines at similar higher speeds, the ASTM F2032 standard requires these helmets to have tougher, more effective shell straps and better overall coverage. The bottom line is that if you are looking for the best helmet for an eBike or eScooter, you should look for a helmet that meets the ASTM F2032 standard.
Dutch NTA-8776 (E-bike)
Standard:
The Dutch NTA-8776 is a European standard for electric bikes. This standard is similar to the CPSC bicycle helmet and ASTM F2032 electric bike helmet standards. The Dutch NTA-8776 requires eBike helmets to have better and tougher construction than any of the above standards.
Types of helmets:
There are three main types of helmets: full face, open face, and half helmet.
Full face helmets offer the most protection. They cover the entire head, including the jaw and face.
Open face helmets only cover the top and back of the head. They do not protect the face.
Half helmets only cover the top of the head. They are also called “skull caps.”
Helmet Construction:
There are also three types of construction: hard, soft, and hybrid shells.
Hard shell helmets have a hard outer shell and a soft inner liner. The hard shell protects the head from impact, and the soft liner absorbs shock. These helmets are the safest, but they are also the heaviest and the most expensive.
Soft shell helmets have a soft outer shell and no inner liner. They are made of flexible materials that deform on impact. These helmets are not as safe as hard shell helmets but are lighter and less expensive.
Hybrid construction helmets have a hard outer shell and a soft inner liner. The hard shell protects the head from impact, and the soft liner absorbs shock. These helmets are somewhere in between the hard shell and soft shell helmets in terms of safety and price.
Other features:
Face Shields:
Some helmets come with face shields. Face shields protect the face from debris, insects, and other objects that could cause injury. They also keep the rider’s face cooler in hot weather. Some riders prefer to wear sunglasses instead of a face shield.
Visors:
Visors are attached to the front of the helmet and help to keep the sun out of the rider’s eyes. They also protect the face from debris, insects, and other objects that could cause injury.
Chin Guards:
Some helmets come with chin guards. Chin guards protect the chin and jaw from impact in a crash. They also keep the rider’s face cooler in hot weather.
Fit:
It is important that a helmet fits properly. A too-large helmet will not protect the head adequately in a crash. A helmet that is too small will be uncomfortable to wear and can be more dangerous than not wearing a helmet.
To find out if a helmet fits, put it on and fasten the straps. The helmet should sit level on your head. It should not be able to move from side to side or front to back. The straps should be tight enough that the helmet does not move but loose enough that you can breathe comfortably. You should be able to fit two fingers between the strap and your chin.
How to Choose the Best eBike Helmet for You? The bottom line:
We think we presented you with enough information to make an excellent decision; however, we feel we should also list the bottom line for those who prefer TL; DR.
It all boils down to the speed and the terrain you will be on when riding your eBike or eScooter. Remember, the main difference is how fast you will ride your electric-powered bike. If you plan on riding under 20mph, a standard Bicycle helmet is enough protection for you. Although, keep in mind most of them are rated for only 14mph.
For speeds above 20mph and below 30mph, we recommend an electric bike-specific helmet that meets the CPSC standard.
And finally, for those who plan on riding their eBike or eScooter over 30mph, look for a helmet that meets the Dutch NTA 8776 standard. These helmets will have better and more rigid construction to protect your noggin at high speeds.
If still confused, buy yourself a certified motorcycle helmet that fits, and you are good to go.
