How to Meet Tour de France Helmet Regulations

All riders in the Tour de France are required to wear rigid helmets to ensure safety. Beyond that, other bicycle helmets--particularly those used in the Tour's time trials--must meet the regulations set forth by the International Cycling Union (UCI). If you are competing in the Tour de France, you want to make sure your helmet is up to snuff.

Instructions

    • 1

      Check to ensure any new helmet design you want to use meets the official Tour de France regulations. Cutting-edge, aerodynamic designs and helmets made of special synthetic materials must pass safety standards before they'll be permitted for use in competitions. Helmets which do not meet these standards, or have not been tested, are forbidden in the Tour de France.

    • 2

      Provide a sticker that identifies the helmet as race-approved. The UCI must check and clear all equipment used in the Tour de France. Stickers denoting that the helmet complies with specific standards--such as Snell B90, Snell B95 or European Standard EN 1078--are required.

    • 3

      Examine the helmet to make sure that its protective qualities have not been compromised by wear or damage. A crash or an accident may damage the helmet beyond its capacity to provide adequate protection. The rider must then don a new helmet which meets UCI standards if he wishes to continue the Tour de France.

    • 4

      Refrain from altering the helmet. Some riders may wish to make particular alterations to fit their personal style or to increase their competitive edge. Changing such designs not only threatens to decrease the helmet's safety features, but may even confuse judges and timekeepers if wholesale changes are made during the race.

    • 5

      Make sure the helmet remains adjustable. UCI regulations specify that all helmets used in their competitions need to be adjustable to fit the head of any wearer, and this includes mandatory adjustable chin straps. In order words, specialized helmets tailored to fit one particular rider's head will not usually meet the Tour's regulations.

    • 6

      Double-check if you're in doubt as to whether or not your helmet will meet official specifications. UCI helmet regulations can be found at BikeNZ.org (see Resources below).