Bike Helmet Safety Ratings

Helmets help to protect the head from injury due to falls or crashes. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported in March 2011 that 27 states failed to require use of a helmet while cycling on public roads. States with mandatory bicycle helmet laws, including Florida, Georgia, Hawaii and Alabama, limit helmet enforcement to bike riders younger than age 15. Even though many states require cyclists to wear helmets while riding, no state limits the sale of helmets to those meeting national or international safety guidelines.

Children's Helmet Safety Ratings

Cycle helmets designed specifically for children feature a label from ASTM International or the Consumer Products Safety Commission authorizing the helmet as having passed safety tests. This doesn't mean, however, that the helmet is safe for all children. The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute states that children younger than 1 year of age should never be allowed to ride in a child's seat on a bicycle, even when a helmet is worn. Two states, Massachusetts and New York, prohibit riding on a bicycle with children younger than 1 year. Children older than 1 year must be carefully examined to ensure the child's neck can hold up the head when a helmet is worn. A pediatrician should be consulted to assist in selecting a helmet for young cyclist or children riding in bicycle carriers.

Adult Helmet Safety Ratings

Adult helmets meeting Consumer Product Safety Commission standards also carry labels or stickers of the certification on the helmet or information tags. The commission was given the charge to develop standards in 1994 and worked with a task group from the ASTM to establish helmet safety standards. The U.S. Congress approved the set of helmet safety regulations developed by the groups in 1998. Under the guidelines, the ASTM examines the helmets to make sure the design doesn't block the cyclist's vision, Other tests ensure that the helmet stays on the head during an accident or fall and that the helmet design "significantly reduces" the force when the rider's head hits a hard surface.

Recalls

Helmets, even head gear approved by safety agencies, may be recalled when new studies find problems with them. The U.S. Products Safety Commission recalls helmets when they prove defective in construction or when a malfunction, such as the failure of buckles or chin straps, occurs during use. The helmet may be removed from the market or the manufacturer may be required to retrofit the helmet, free of charge, so that it provides the necessary protection specified by the commission.

Proper Helmets for Activities

Cycling involves many types of activities, and helmets must match the specific activity to live up to the safety ratings. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warns against wearing helmets for cycling that are designed exclusively for skating, roller hockey, baseball or skateboarding, since these helmets are not safety tested as protection for cyclists.

Proper Helmet Wear

Cyclists can buy a helmet with the best safety rating but fail to wear the it properly, leading to injuries if the cyclist is in an accident. Failure to attach the chin strap on the helmet is a frequent cause of injuries during falls or crashes. Without the chin strap, the helmet may come off during the fall and leave the head unprotected. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission features a video clip, showing the proper way to wear a bicycle helmet to provide maximum safety.