When it comes to electric bikes, safety is just as important a factor as using a traditional bicycle or even an engine driven motorcycle. Safety isn't always simple though.
What is the best type of helmet for e-bikes? There are various benefits and downsides to the different helmet types, but all of them can work in some function. Motorcycle helmets, road bike helmets, commuter helmets and others offer solid protection.
Electric bike helmets are actually no different from regular bicycle helmets, however you should still be on the look out for brands and companies that market themselves for electric e-bikes.
Since the helmets are no different, some brands will market a commercial helmet as an e-bike certified helmet, with the only difference being a higher price tag mark up.
When buying a quality helmet, the branding and manufacturer play a very minimal role. Instead you should be looking for the safest helmet around, and one that is suitable for you.
Ebike users should be wary of scams and additional added fees, since bicycle accessories can add up to quite the hefty amount of money. Still, safety should never be compromised.
Any safely certified bike helmet will serve you well, but of course each type of helmet can have a different design, coming with different benefits and negatives.
On top of a range of colours, suitability for a range of temperatures, and more aesthetic design differences, there are also a number of functional differences.
So what are they? Join us as we go down the helmet list to find the right helmet model for you, and your electric bike.
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Choosing the right bike helmet is essential for your safety when riding a bike. Bike helmets come in many different styles and make everyone safer with their use.
When it comes to the helmet list, many different designs boast some suitability to work as an ebike helmet, just as they work for other cyclists.
Ebike certified helmets come in all shapes and forms, but helmets generally do have some crossover in function thanks to their very simple purpose.
Designed to protect your head on a fall, in a pinch you can easily select to use a snowboard helmet or a skateboarding helmet when using your bike.
Skateboarding helmets and snowboard helmets are staples of the sport, accompanied by other protective gear like knee pads. Still, a snowboard helmet is a far cry from a certified bike helmet.
It’s important to know the different types of bike helmets before purchasing one. There are three main types of bike helmets: hard plastic helmets, full face helmets, and semi-rigid models.
There are several considerations when choosing a bike helmet; you must consider the type, size, weight and overall construction issues for each one type of helmet before purchasing one for yourself or your loved one.
Ultimately, you should choose a bike helmet that will give you optimal safety while you ride your bicycle; decide on a good quality model and make sure you wear it religiously!
Lightweight racing helmets are a very popular choice, and their design is very iconic among the cycling world nowadays.
With several large, generous vents to keep the product breathable, check the certification label before buying this very readily available type of helmet.
These helmets are made out of plastics such as ABS and polycarbonate and are very strong. They protect the user’s head by absorbing most of the force exerted on it when biking.
Some disadvantages of using a hard plastic helmet are that they can be uncomfortable when cycling for long periods of time and don’t protect the user’s eyes from flying debris.
However, not having a detachable visor does mean that ebike users have improved visibility in low light conditions, while still enjoying head protection.
Additional protection such as knee and elbow pads in case of scrapes and falls can be suggested, if you want plenty of protection while riding at faster speeds.
Lightweight helmets like these are usually the bare minimum of head coverage requirements for the lowest level of crash protection.
Still, this shouldn't deter you from picking one up. Bicycle helmet laws are very clear about the guidelines manufacturers must follow.
While the brain protection is enough, you will lack ample protection on your face and other visible bits of skin compared to motorcycle helmet designs.
The lightest helmet available on the market does still come with additional features however. One handy safety feature available on many models of this helmet style is a helmet light.
Letting your helmet glow makes night time rides a low risk condition. You will no longer have to deal with low light and poor visibility.
Semi-rigid bike helmets are less bulky than regular hard plastic helmets yet provide just as much protection, with just a little additional coverage.
This extended coverage makes this a heavier helmet, although it still isn't the heaviest helmet out on the cycle market.
One of our favourite ebike helmets, an off road specialised piece of gear makes an excellent helmet choice for most riders.
The most popular traditional bike model is a BMX, so downhill mountain bike helmets have always been popular among cyclists.
As a result, using BMX certified helmets as a dedicated ebike helmet makes a lot of sense as many riders will be used to using them already.
While not the most stylish helmets around, they can also be an expensive helmet choice compared to an affordable commuter helmet.
They have varying levels of rigidity depending on how thick they are. They can be made out of fibreglass or carbon fibre reinforced plastics which make them stronger than regular plastic helmets.
They also keep riders cool during prolonged cycling due to their breathability and ventilation features, making them solid aero helmets.
The extensive coverage and additional features also makes them the closest substitute for motorcycle helmets around today.
Some disadvantages include higher replacement costs due to broken parts, their bulkiness when cycling long distances and that they don’t properly protect against debris impact when biking at high speeds.
Despite this these designs still flood the market with plenty of options, better for cool weather riding and offering a better size medium between lightweight and large bulk.
When it comes to the bicycle helmet safety standard, you can't do much that tops wearing a helmet designed for a cycle with motors and engines.
Whether that is a moped or a high speed motorcycle, helmets designed for crashes at intensely high speeds are sure to be built durable.
Full face motorcycle helmets cover the entire head and face of the rider while biking. They sometimes fit over a normal bicycle helmet but can also be purchased as standalone products.
Moped helmets also come without the vizor, but are still built to survive accidents above your average speed of an e-bike.
The main function is to protect the wearer’s eyes, mouth and ears from dangerous objects as they bike. They do this with an outer shell and venting system that keeps the user safe as they cycle.
Most issues using these forms of helmets when on an electric bike are due to them being designed for a commuter market, and engine driven vehicles.
They have a decent size to them, which can make them rather cumbersome to wear and heavy to lug around all day on the commute.
Electric bike users are unlikely to reach speeds which need an integrated visor with their helmet, and built in visors can be difficult to use during night time rides.
It can obscure the vision of an ebike rider if not equipped with integrated lights or lights on the bike itself to light up the way.
Disadvantages also include hot and humid conditions making it harder for the wearer to retain moisture in his skin, heat buildup inside the helmet and sweating profusely inside the cumbersome gear.
While this means these helmets have some cold weather credentials, they are still not suited for low light conditions.
A full headed helmet does come with an integrated rain cover too, meaning you won't end up with wet hair if you use a helmet like this with adjustable vents.
Using such a helmet in low risk conditions such as the low mile range of an ebike can seem excessive, but at high impact speeds the extra head coverage could save your life.
While not offering the maximum protection, the level of protection combined with a list of helmet credentials makes a road designed helmet a popular choice for electric bikes.
Somewhere between hockey helmets and ski helmets, a road cycle helmet is one of the safest helmets around in the modern world.
Unlike a regular bicycle helmet, these are designed to better offer rotational impact protection. Road bike helmets are designed not just to offer extra coverage for your mistakes, but broader coverage for others around you making mistakes too.
While downhill helmets for a BMX are wonderful, the use of cycle lanes in the road and increase in a healthier commute to work mean you'll more than likely be using an ebike near cars and buses.
Even with the present bicycle helmet safety standard around, there is no e-bike certified helmets that will help you if you get hit by a car.
That is, except the road helmet. Designed for rotational impact protection, it also gives additional coverage for hard concrete and tarmac surfaces.
Some even come with anti-bacterial padding, and generous anti-microbial padding to boot. Not only does padding make them more comfortable on a long ride, but they prevent a germ buildup.
After a global pandemic, I think we can all agree that preventing germ spread in a decent size helmet can go a long way for public health.
If you are a dedicated winter rider however, then this helmet may leave you feeling more than a little chilly on your commute.
Unfortunately, many people still exhibit poor riding habits, such as disregarding traffic signals or riding on sidewalks
Wearing reflective clothing and other extra safety features can be handy, but choosing the right equipment for your electric bike can also help drastically.
One guide for visibility, something which is very important if you plan to go at maximum speed during a night ride, is to have an integrated rear LED light.
Your entire rear can be obscured without lights, so another cyclist or driver may not be able to see you if they aren't paying too much attention to where they're going.
Most certification standards come with rear lights as part of their comprehensive safety features. Sadly, some bootleg sellers may skip including rear lights to cut costs.
Rear lights and helmet lights are one thing, but going maximum speed increases the risk of high impact speeds. These impact speeds can be dangerous.
All bicycle helmets must be properly lighted and vented to ensure the rider’s safety. The front light must be red or white in colour and have both a steady and flashing mode.
These basic safety features are in any quality helmet, so be on the look out for scammers and con artists selling faulty products that can put you at risk.
Additionally, the rear venting should allow air to escape so that internal heat does not affect the user’s vision. Venting does more than just provide extended coverage.
At night, an over heated cyclist will make less sense than one who has fainted from heat stroke, which is exactly what harmful negligent riders want to happen!
