Please, don't put big ears and antlers on your cycling helmets!

Do you need to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle? Of course you do!

What about riding an electric scooter? You have to wear it too!

What about bicycles? This seems to be worn only when riding off-road or in competitions?

Actually, it is not.

Compared with cars which are made of "iron wrapped in flesh", bicycles, motorcycles and electric vehicles which are made of "flesh wrapped in iron" can hardly provide any protection for the riders in the event of an accident.

Without protective gear, the heavy impact will directly act on the human body;

If inappropriate protective gear is worn, the consequences may be even worse: it only increases the rider's courage but does not provide adequate protection.

This is a push that can save your life: please wear a helmet when riding, and wear a suitable helmet.

Wear a life-saving bicycle helmet

Bicycle part Author: Sophia

Is cycling safe?

When riding in the city, the general speed is 10 to 15 kilometers per hour. The speed of road cycling is about 20 kilometers per hour. When going downhill and sprinting, the speed can soar to 50 to 70 kilometers per hour, which is equivalent to a car driving in the city.

And objectively speaking, even if you ride your bike slowly and don't hit others, you may still be hit by someone driving a car.

Cars have airbags and seat belts, what about you?

In 2020, a report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission showed that in non-fatal cycling accidents, one-third of the injured suffered head injuries; and in 80,000 first aid visits for cycling-related accidents, people with head injuries accounted for the majority of the group.

In crowded and high-speed riding, it is common to fall down and fall down a lot丨GCN

Let me share my own experience.

I've had two serious accidents while riding.

One time, he lost control of his speed while going downhill and crashed into a tree; another time, he was knocked down by another rider and fell heavily to the ground.

In both accidents, my head suffered significant impacts. If I hadn't worn a helmet, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

In the cycling circle, novices are often ignorant and fearless, while the more experienced they are, the more they respect life. Now when I see a rider riding without a helmet, I will chase him and tell him the importance of a helmet.

Here, I would also like to remind everyone that you must wear a helmet when riding a bicycle, and wear a helmet that suits you.

Insist on looking at certification standards

The easiest way to choose a qualified life-saving helmet is to look at the certification. You can find these signs on the helmet's manual and certificate of conformity.

Domestic helmets must be certified according to GB 24429;

For European helmets, check CE and EN1078 certification;

For North American helmets, check CPSC certification;

There are also more demanding TUV and SGS certifications from Germany and Switzerland.

In addition, bicycle helmets also have a service life, and you cannot use one helmet for a lifetime.

Even if the helmet is not damaged by bumps, there will be cracks that are difficult to see with the naked eye, and it will also be damaged by wind, sun and sweat. It is recommended to replace bicycle helmets every three years or so.

Bicycle Helmet Classification

Generally speaking, bicycle helmets can be divided into road bike helmets, mountain bike helmets, commuter and leisure helmets, and children's helmets.

There are two types of road bike helmets.

One is a lightweight type with many holes and good ventilation. If your cycling route has a lot of climbs or you sweat easily, you should go with a lightweight road bike helmet.

The other is the aerodynamic type, which is more aerodynamic, has almost no vents, and creates very little drag when riding. Therefore, this type of helmet is mainly used in competitions to allow riders to ride faster.

There are three types of mountain bike helmets: downhill, off-road, and enduro. Because mountain biking is more dangerous, these helmets offer more protection and look more like motorcycle helmets.

Commuter leisure helmets usually have brims to protect the eyes from the sun. For most people who commute by bike in the city, this helmet is sufficient.

Children's helmets are naturally for children. They are smaller in size and provide better protection for the back of the head.

One point that needs special attention is that the "Road Traffic Safety Law Implementation Regulations" stipulate that people must be at least 12 years old to ride a bicycle on the road. Children can ride bicycles in the community and the park.

How to wear a helmet?

Even if you have a suitable helmet, you must wear it correctly to play a protective role.

First, the front edge of the helmet should not tilt up or down, but should be two fingers away from the eyes and level with the eyebrows.

Many girls are afraid that wearing a helmet will press down their bangs, so they wear the helmet higher up, which is inappropriate.

Secondly, be sure to tie the chin strap so that there is two fingers' worth of space between the strap and the chin.

Finally, tighten the knob on the back of the helmet and check it from time to time while riding to ensure that the helmet fits your head comfortably and securely.

Motorcycle helmets need more attention

This part was written by: Kedou

Compared to other common modes of transportation, motorcycles are more dangerous, with a fatality rate of 59.6% in all motorcycle accidents[1].

In motorcycle accidents, the head is the most common site of injury, and almost all casualties suffer from head injuries; among those who unfortunately died, about 80% died from craniocerebral injuries.

If a motorcycle collides with an obstacle in front of it at a speed of 40 kilometers per hour, it will generate an impact force of 2,000 to 6,000 kilograms. The human body can withstand about 100 kilograms, and the rest needs to be borne and cushioned by the helmet[2]. When the rider suffers a head injury, the helmet can even be used as a tool to apply pressure to stop bleeding.

Here are some things to keep in mind when buying a life-saving motorcycle helmet.

Certified safety standards

Likewise, look at the safety certification standards first.

Domestically produced motorcycle helmets must comply with the national standard "Motorcycle passenger helmets";

Helmets made in Europe must have ECE certification;

Helmets made in the United States must have SNE certification;

Helmets made in Japan must have TIS certification.

Full-face helmet is the safest

According to relevant standards, motorcycle helmet styles are divided into three categories: full-face helmet, Class A half-helmet, and Class B half-helmet[3].

Three styles of helmets | References [3]

Full-face helmets have strong wrapping and provide the best protection for the rider's head. In many motorcycle competitions with high risk factors, riders must wear full-face helmets.

Its disadvantages are also obvious: poor air permeability, especially when the car is driving slowly or parked, it is even more stuffy.

Full-face helmets with movable visors are more comfortable to wear and allow you to breathe while waiting at traffic lights.

Class B half helmets look a lot like construction workers' safety helmets. They are small and breathable, but they cannot protect the rider's face, chin, or back of the head. In the event of an accident, the helmet may be thrown out.

The advantages and disadvantages of Class A half helmets are between the first two.

Helmets should be used by one person only

Helmets come in different sizes, so be sure to try them on first. If your head fits snugly into the helmet lining, your face and jaw are secured, and your ears aren't pressed uncomfortably, then the helmet is probably the right size.

If you have enough money, it is better to customize the helmet according to your head size.

Other people's helmets or helmets purchased online may not be the right size.

A helmet that is too small will put too much pressure on the head. Wearing it for a long time may cause dizziness and affect riding.

A helmet that is too large will shake constantly while driving, affecting your field of vision and is more likely to fall off in a collision accident.

Helmets also have a shelf life

Helmets have a safe use period.

The helmet's shell, cushioning interlayer, and lining, even if the surface is intact and not bumped, the material will gradually age, and properties such as strength, hardness, and ductility will deteriorate, and the protective effect on the head will also be lost.

Generally speaking, a motorcycle helmet should be replaced after three to five years of use.

In addition, the more expensive the helmet, the shorter its safe service life tends to be.

Battery bike helmet, according to motorcycle

This part was written by: Kedou

Electric bikes are more common than motorcycles because of their low price and the fact that they do not require a driver's license.

According to the "Electric Bicycle Safety Technical Specifications", the speed of an electric bicycle cannot exceed 25 kilometers per hour. However, after modification, the speed of an electric bicycle can be doubled, and even almost the same as a motorcycle.

Although we do not encourage modifying electric vehicles to increase speed, from the current situation, the helmet worn when riding an electric vehicle should still meet the standards of a motorcycle helmet.

There is a little more to say about the issue of electric bike helmets.

Some electric bike riders will decorate their helmets, such as animal ears, bows, bamboo dragonflies, etc. Although the helmets become cute all of a sudden and do not affect the protective function of the helmets, such decorations will distract the attention of passers-by and drivers and also pose a safety hazard.

Just decorate the helmet slightly, it's not good to be too flashy.

I believe that many people will make excuses for not wearing helmets, such as "it's too stuffy", "it ruins my hairstyle", "I haven't worn a helmet for all these years and nothing has ever happened".

But whether you are riding a bicycle, motorcycle or electric car, wearing a helmet is like buying accident insurance - you will try your best to prevent accidents from happening, but once an accident happens, you will be very glad that you made the right decision earlier.

References

[1] Yu Chunjun, Wang Changjun. Correlation between motorcycle helmets and motorcycle traffic accidents[J]. China Occupational Safety Science and Technology, 2009, 5(2): 76-80.

[2] Motorcycle Technology, 2004102, p.35

[3] GB 811-2010 Motorcycle passenger helmets

[4]https://std.samr.gov.cn/gb/search/gbDetailed?id=A60EC3D9A25D8B56E05397BE0A0AE78F

[5] GB 24429-2009 Sports helmets Safety requirements and test methods for bicycle, skateboard and roller skating helmets

Author: Kedou, Sophia Editor: Li Xiaokui

Guokr (ID: Guokr42)

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