Bicycle Helmets Vs. Skating Helmets

Bike helmets and skating helmets are designed for distinctly different purposes. Bicyclists, for one, don't expect to crash. If a cyclist crashes, something has gone terribly wrong during his ride. A typical helmet designed for cycling, then, is made to withstand a single crash before it is replaced. For skateboarders, crashing occurs more often. A skateboard helmet must be built to withstand multiple meetings with the ground. Different sets of safety standards apply to each activity. When shopping for a helmet, be sure to check the package labeling to see if the helmet meets the proper standards for your sport.

  1. Why Wear a Helmet

    • The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reports that 50 percent of sports-related head injuries come from bicycling, skateboarding or skating. According to statistics gathered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 623 people died and 41,000 were injured while bicycling in 2008. The NHTSA reports that a helmet is the single most effective way to prevent head injury resulting from a bicycle crash."

    Safety Standard for Skating Helmets

    • The standard used for skateboarding helmets comes from the American Society for Testing and Materials. The skateboard helmet standard is labeled as (ASTM) F-1492. The test for this standard involves a drop from 1 to 2 meters. For a skateboard helmet to meet this standard, it must withstand multiple impacts. After any real impact, however, a skateboarder should examine his helmet. If the helmet is cracked or damaged in any way that could make it less effective, it should be replaced.

    Safety Standard for Bicycle Helmets

    • The Consumer Product Safety Commission applies its standard to all bicycle helmets, whether for road, BMX or mountain biking. Helmets which meet the CPSCC standard are tested for drops from 2 meters high. The CSPCC standard, however, requires that bicycle helmets be serviceable for only a single crash. Bicycle helmets thus are made of foam that collapses as it absorbs an impact. The foam will be compressed in the area of impact and will no longer effectively protect the wearer's head. Bicycle helmets should be replaced after any significant impact.

    Fit

    • All safety helmets must fit properly if they are going to be effective. The helmet should fit snugly but should not need to be forced on the wearer's head. The chin strap should be securely attached. The helmet should not wobble in any direction on the wearer's head. Most helmets come with different sizes of foam padding that can be used in the helmet to achieve a custom fit.

    When Not to Wear a Helmet

    • The CSPCC recommends that children remove their helmets before playing on playgrounds or climbing on trees. The chin strap of a helmet could cause strangulation if it were to get caught on branches or playground equipment.