A bicycle helmet is a helmet which was designed to be worn while riding a bicycle. They are planned to attenuate impacts to the head of a biker during falls while minimizing side effects such as too much temperature on the head or interference with peripheral vision.

Bike helmets are usually designed to absorb the energy of a head falling from a bicycle with an impact speed of around 12mph or 20 km/h. As a supplementary consequence they should also distribute impacts over a wider area of the skull. Due to its limitations it is not expected to protect the rider´s head from impacts with another vehicle. Hard shell helmets may do this better but are heavier and less ventilated.

There are almost as much different opinions about the need of using helmet when riding a bicycle as the number of people riding regularly. I have no intention of "converting" all those who believe they do not need head protection every time they go for a ride. In fact I think it should be a personal decision and never a forced declaration or law (except maybe for kids).

I always wear a helmet every time I go for a ride and no matter what people may say I know for sure it has save my life at least twice (yes, I do not need any scientific studies). One time it was a crash during a downhill ride when I got my front wheel on the wrong place and went over the handlebar hitting a rock directly with my helmet. It is true that mountain biking can be more dangerous than riding on the road but it is also true that anyone can easily fall down and some times even the slowest crash can have severe consequences.

I am not saying that helmets are going to save your life no matter what but it is obvious they will minimize a great deal of head injuries one could suffer during a bike crash. Of course there are situations where the helmet can itself cause some injuries to the rider but the question is: what would happened to him if he did not wear a helmet in that same situation!?

Even though I always wear a bicycle helmet every time I go for a ride I also believe it is possible to ride without any problems and even fall without getting any head injury.

One can say that bicycle helmets companies are the ones behind the lobby of mandatory use of helmet when riding a bicycle and also that today´s bicycle helmets are still ineffective or at least not totally effective preventing head injuries during a bicycle crash. I also believe all this is true but like many other examples of security devices we can only expect efficient products after lots of research and complete testings. And this can only happen (or happen faster) if people start to invest on head protection even though they know it is not yet perfect.

• Abus

  Abus it is synonymous of security. Every product is tried and tested a million times before being able to protect you.

• Alpina

  Since 1980 Alpina has been making some of the best bicycle helmets available. German quality at its best.

• Atlas

  Bicycle helmets for everyone, but above all children, became a milestone in this company development.

• Azonic

  Having started on motorcycling races as O´Neal soon "jump" to the biking world.

• Bell

  Bell helmets have played a vital role in protecting sportsmen and women for nearly 50 years.

• Casco

  For about twenty years the Casco name has stood for innovation and superior quality. It is also one of Europe's leading manufacturers of protective helmets.

• Catlike

  Innovation and top-notch technologies made this Spanish company a special one since its beginning until now.

• Cratoni

  Great selection and variety of bicycle helmets.

• Etto

  Some of the best quality bicycle and ski helmets you will find.

• Giro

  Great selection of helmets for every kind of riding from road racing to downhill racing.

• Lazer

  LAZER it is the oldest bicycle helmet maker world-wide which is still actively present on the bike business and on every road or trail.

• MET

  More than just protection, it is an element of distinction and class. MET means unique style, superior quality materials and continuous technological innovation.

• Polisport

  Polisport`s quality policy trys to overcome its clients expectations through a vast range of quality products.

• PRO-TEC

  Having started by producing skate helmets in the early 70s Pro-Tec has now a complete range of bicycle helmets.

• SPIUK

  After 11 years commitment to quality has made SPIUK a brand of reference in the world of cycling.

• THE

  Small range of high quality bicycle helmets. Their products born from the many enthusiastic people`s experience.

• Uvex

  Bicycle helmets are just one of the several products from Uvex. Quality is their commitment, safety and protection of people is their mission.

Every thing about bicycle helmet safety.