Helmet Safety Protection Ratings

[PedalUma]

Virginia Tech has the latest ratings for most 2025 bicycle helmets. Specialized has three in the top 12 out of 264. These cost less that one ranked 246. I purchased one today, not only to protect my brain, but so I can say on a test ride, 'I can have any helmet I want and this is my pick, it is highly rated in safety testing'. Mine has a removeable visor, so it goes from mountain to commuter. I will mount a bright light that flashes on the visor with epoxy. It looks like a camera to drivers in the day and attracts their attention at twilight and night. Light colors are most visible for the highest most visible part of your setup, you can also direct its beam into a driver's eyes in flash mode. https://www.helmet.beam.vt.edu/bicycle-helmet-ratings.html
Ironically, were there are the most bikes in traffic, Amsterdam, no one has a helmet, because cars know how to drive and bikes know how to ride. Note: Mopeds are no longer allowed in bike lanes.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I don't trust these results at all. I bought a Specialized Echelon II for its very high VT rating and now it is only in 103rd place?!

 

[smorgasbord]

I will mount a bright light that flashes on the visor with epoxy.

Note that such mounting will affect how well the helmet performs - between the added weight and location of the camera on the visor, above your face/eyes.

 

[PedalUma]

Note that such mounting will affect how well the helmet performs - between the added weight and location of the camera on the visor, above your face/eyes.

I have a USB rechargeable light on top of my Bontrager Wavecell helmet and love it. It does not add much weight and will break off in a crash.

 

[Mr. Coffee]

"VT rating" is the Virginia Tech number. And as the helmet models change year on year the ratings change.

 

[PedalUma]

The epoxy is hardening already on the removable visor's top head lamp. I just snipped off the lamp's headband. This lamp can be turned Off/On with the wave of a hand. It has several modes including night vision and duel lights with one on with the other flashing. It was $19 at the hardware store. I will be able to remove the visor on the #9 rated Tactic to remove the light. These helmets are currently a very good deal.

Dorcy 330 Lumen Ultra HD USB Rechargeable Motion Sensor Headlamp

Dorcy Ultra HD USB Rechargeable Motion Sensor Headlamp

www.dorcy.com

 

[Slaphappygamer]

I’ve got number 211. The Giro Fixture. I got on sale for about $50.

 

[Mr. Coffee]

You can spend a bit more money and get one of the stick-on GoPro mounts on Amazon (about $17) and get a regular bike light that can use a GoPro mount. You'll spend a bit over $100 but you'll have a great night riding light (or one for rail-trail tunnels that sometimes are over a mile long).

Once you use a helmet-mounted light anything else feels really inadequate.

 

[PedalUma]

I’ve got number 211. The Giro Fixture. I got on sale for about $50.

Once you use a helmet-mounted light anything else feels really inadequate.

These ones are on sale for $60. A bit like ET, they will automatically phone home if you crash. One guy had a heart attack in Marin and his son was notified that he hit his head, so the medics got there with GPS coordinates within two minutes and saved his A55. Getting a new helmet every 3 years for daily rider is strongly advised. Mine is a harsh white and looks like a Storm Trooper's costume. Now it also has a red reflector glued to the back. As a severe personality disfunction, I always need to hack and tamper with stuff, since age two I was taking stuff apart, or repairing and upgrading. I can expand the large to accommodate a cap under the helmet. Yes, Mr. Coffee, being able to direct the beam of light to where you are looking has huge advantages. I will not be going back to only fixed lights.

Tactic

It’s All in Your Tactic. With an unprecedented combination of fit, ventilation, and confidence for trail and enduro riding, the Tactic helmet delivers e...

www.specialized.com

 

[Slaphappygamer]

These ones are on sale for $60. A bit like ET, they will automatically phone home if you crash. One guy had a heart attack in Marin and his son was notified that he hit his head, so the medics got there with GPS coordinates within two minutes and saved his A55. Getting a new helmet every 3 years for daily rider is strongly advised. Mine is a harsh white and looks like a Storm Trooper's costume. Now it also has a red reflector glued to the back. As a severe personality disfunction, I always need to hack and tamper with stuff, since age two I was taking stuff apart, or repairing and upgrading. I can expand the large to accommodate a cap under the helmet. Yes, Mr. Coffee, being able to direct the beam of light to where you are looking has huge advantages. I will not be going back to only fixed lights.

Tactic

It’s All in Your Tactic. With an unprecedented combination of fit, ventilation, and confidence for trail and enduro riding, the Tactic helmet delivers e...

www.specialized.com

Those remind me of this.

How high the visor is. Does it work?

 

[spokewrench]

I’ve got number 211. The Giro Fixture. I got on sale for about $50.

Me too, though I hesitated to mention it lest I expose myself as a snob. Oh, BTW, I paid $69 for mine. "If you have to ask how much, you probably can't afford it."

 

[spokewrench]

The epoxy is hardening already on the removable visor's top head lamp. I just snipped off the lamp's headband. This lamp can be turned Off/On with the wave of a hand. It has several modes including night vision and duel lights with one on with the other flashing. It was $19 at the hardware store. I will be able to remove the visor on the #9 rated Tactic to remove the light. These helmets are currently a very good deal.

Dorcy 330 Lumen Ultra HD USB Rechargeable Motion Sensor Headlamp

Dorcy Ultra HD USB Rechargeable Motion Sensor Headlamp

www.dorcy.com

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2JT918P

These are my latest headlamps. A row of lights on the side serves as a state-of-charge indicator. A long press to turn it off sets it to come on at that setting when next pressed. I'm ambivalent about the motion sensor because sometimes it comes on or off when not intended, such as going through a doorway.
I've tried riding with a headlamp as an auxiliary. I don't like it. I could leave a driver seeing spots if I turned my head toward him. Then he and his two-ton truck might one night take the opportunity for a sweet hit-and-run revenge. Carpe noctem!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

"VT rating" is the Virginia Tech number. And as the helmet models change year on year the ratings change.

So a helmet that was excellent one year now turns out hopeless?

 

[Mr. Coffee]

This is an inexpensive product that all of us need. You can put one of them on your helmet and stick one on the back of your cellphone case. What it is is a QR code sticker that links to a website endpoint. You register (free) with the website and put your contact and medical information there.

Then when there is an accident emergency personnel or rescuers can scan that QR code and get emergency contact information and medical history that you may not be able to give them at the time. This product is only ten bucks for five stickers.

MyID Medical ID Sticker Kit

The MyID Sticker Kit gives first responders another way to access your online medical profile. Perfect for those with diabetes, epilepsy, autism, or other medical conditions. Use this convenient medical ID by just scanning the QR code.

shop.getmyid.com

So purchase some and possibly save your life.

On medical history. At a minimum what you need to put there is basic "AMPLE" information:

1. Allergies. Particularly allergies to medication but also food allergies because that can make the doctors avoid certain medications.
2. Medications. Note any medications you are prescribed at taking. With the age group here most of us are taking at least a few.
3. Physician. Name of your doctor and contact information. Also putting your health insurance plan, plan number, and contact information can be helpful.

the "LE" part of "AMPLE" stands for "Last meal" and "Events leading to the accident" which obviously won't fit very well on a QR code sticker.