SAFETY STANDARDS AND NORMS

Safety certificates and standards:

What do they mean?

Safety certificates and standards are official seals of approval that confirm that a bicycle helmet meets certain minimum requirements for protection and safety. One of the best-known and most important standards is DIN EN 1078, which is verified by the CE seal, among other things. This standard specifies the requirements that helmets for cyclists and users of skateboards and roller skates must meet.

A bicycle helmet that is certified according to DIN EN 1078 has passed a series of tests to ensure that it provides the best possible protection for the head. These tests, which are carried out using a special test head, include the following test scenarios:

• Impact absorption test: The helmet must be able to absorb the impact energy of a fall from a height of 1.50 meters.
• Penetration test: The bicycle helmet is tested to see whether sharp objects can penetrate the helmet shell or the entire helmet.
• Chin strap strength test: The chin strap must hold securely and must not come loose under stress.

In addition to DIN EN 1078, there are specific safety standards such as the bicycle helmet standard DIN EN 1080, which contains important specifications for children's helmets and helmets for small children, and testing standards such as ASTM, which must be complied with in the USA for MTB helmets and BMX bicycle helmets, for example.

Certification marks and standards

What you should look out for when buying:

When buying a new bike helmet, there are several things you should look out for to ensure you get the best protection for your head.

• Certification mark: Make sure the helmet has a certification mark such as DIN EN 1078 or other bike helmet standards. These marks are usually not visible on the outside of the helmet shell, but on the inside of the helmet.
• Fit: The helmet should fit well and not slip. A secure fit significantly increases the protective effect. You can find out how to find the right helmet size for your head circumference and shape in this guide.
• Chin strap: The chin strap should be easy to adjust and close securely. Test the chin strap regularly to ensure that the strap system holds reliably even in the event of an impact or other stress.
• Weight: A lightweight helmet is more comfortable to wear, especially for children. A low weight can help to increase the rate of helmet use.
• Ventilation: Good ventilation slots ensure that the helmet remains comfortable to wear even on long journeys.
• Practical extras: Some helmets have additional safety features such as an integrated rear light for better visibility in traffic.