Not all bicycle helmets are created equal, as they vary depending on the type of riding you're doing and your age, explains the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute. Regardless of the type, American law says any bicycle helmet has to meet standards dictated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, or CPSC, with additional standards voluntarily available for more hazardous riding.
Road Helmets
The bike helmets you typically see in stores or on the road are, appropriately, known as road helmets, notes the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute. They consist of an inner protective core, made of expanded polystyrene, or EPS, covered by a plastic outer shell. Air vents are a must, as is a chin strap and elongated shape to deter wind resistance. In 2004, the Bell helmet company came up with a slight variation of the road helmet which they dubbed the commuter helmet. The commuter type is more rounded than the road helmet, and may come with a few extras, like a rear view mirror or rear blinkers attached, that commuters may find helpful while riding to work in traffic.
Motorcycle Style
Bicycle helmets designed similarly to motorcycle helmets are the ones meant for racing. Both BMX racers and downhill mountain bike racers get extra protection with this style, which generally offers a chin bar and other facial protection. Some BMX helmets skip the air vents since BMX races are generally short. Other BMX helmets are lightweight or even full weight motorcycle helmets hoisted off as BMX gear. Additional standards that racing helmets often meet, above and beyond those dictated by CPSC, are those from the American Society for Testing and Materials, or ASTM.
Aerodynamic
The chrono helmet is an advanced style meant for hard-core bicycle racers. It offers an aerodynamic design, either in a round or teardrop shape, to keep wind resistance to a minimum. Some even come with long tails that stick out behind the rider's head to go with the airflow. there are no air vents on these, as vents would mess up the aerodynamics. This helmet design is intended for use when speed and timing are important considerations.
Kids
Bike helmets for younger kids are their own breed. Children's bicycle helmets come in a hard-shell variety, like helmets for adults, or a soft-shell version, which forgoes the hard, plastic outer shell and consists instead of extra-thick polystyrene. The soft-shell variety is much lighter and meant for children under the age of 5 who don't yet have a lot of neck strength.
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