And it’s comfortable, with very adjustable straps and retention. While you might not think it, helmets wear down overtime. Dewey recommends replacing an undamaged helmet once every five to six years. Both Dewey and Ash Lovell, electric bike policy and campaign director at PeopleForBikes, recommend replacing your helmet immediately if you are in a crash or even a fall where it is impacted. Even if it looks fine, your helmet could have a hairline crack, which can compromise its structural integrity, making it less safe in a future crash. “Every good helmet should have some sort of retention system,” says Dewey.
Get those pent-up winter wiggles out with brand new bike. From the youngest beginner to the practically independent pre-teen, we’ve got bikes in all sizes, styles, and colors. Break out of your hibernation, drink in the spring sunshine, and feel the fresh breeze drift past your cheeks…at up to 20 mph as you cruise down the street on your brand-new e-bike. Catch up on Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.
Whether you’re riding a beat up old bicycle or a brand new electric scooter, you should be wearing a helmet. Bike helmets can help prevent injury in minor and serious bike crashes. In fact, a “bike helmet is a cyclist’s best line of defense, reducing risk of head injury by more than 50 percent,” according to the National Safety Council, a nonprofit safety advocacy group.
Giro’s Register helmet, which retails for about $70, is an exception. It’s lightweight, has 22 air vents and comes with a removable mini visor built in, according to the brand. It only comes in two sizes, however, and the extra large size mongoose bmx only comes in black. Our picks for the best bike helmets trended towards larger brands like Smith, Giro and Specialized. Road cycling gear can get very expensive, but Specialized’s Echelon II helmet typically retails for under $100.
That data comes from research by the National Transportation Safety Board, a government agency that conducts accident investigations across all modes of transportation. For this piece, he tried many different bike helmets while riding around New York City. To better understand the helmets he could not try, he spoke with biking industry experts like Alison Dewey and Ash Lovell to learn more about helmet types, nuances and best practices.
At Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest. If you need help with installation or troubleshooting, kindly use our Builder Locator to find builders near you. Get special offers, exclusive product news, and event info straight to your inbox.