Remember kids... always wear a helmet. (The almighty bikeradar helmet thread)

But I don't understand why they couldn't use a "higher or stricter" standard in a sales pitch. Could you explain?

Pretty sure Euro consumer protection legislation would make it illegal to make a claim against a standard which was not administered by a Euro body.

To some extent, the absence of certification details on global marketing material is also a matter of practicality, since the helmets come with local certification labels at the point of sale.

And, again, no corporate lawyer in his right mind would allow the marketing guys to say "This helmet has a CE sticker but, hey look, it also has passed the tougher Snell B95 test, nudge nudge, wink wink"

Pretty sure Euro consumer protection legislation would make it illegal to make a claim against a standard which was not administered by a Euro body.

To some extent, the absence of certification details on global marketing material is also a matter of practicality, since the helmets come with local certification labels at the point of sale.

And, again, no corporate lawyer in his right mind would allow the marketing guys to say "This helmet has a CE sticker but, hey look, it also has passed the tougher Snell B95 test, nudge nudge, wink wink"

I'm sorry but your replies make no sense. Its two sectors, one is bicycle helmets, the other is motorcycle helmets. Both are produced by the same company. Both are sold and marketed in the UK and Europe, by the market leader, Bell.

Both sectors have to meet the CE regulations and both both have access to higher independent standards. You virtually can't buy a motorcycle helmet in the UK or Europe which is not DOT or Snell or both certified. Note, that they also have to meet the CE mark as well. Motor cycle helmets are sold on "safety" and the standards they meet, bicycle helmets are sold on the number of vents they have, and the prettiest colors. And this is the sales literature from the same company, Bell.

So, why can bicycle helmet manufacturers not use a "better", more stringent standard, like you've just stated?

Their bicycle helmets might no longer meet those standards ... ? :)

So, why can bicycle helmet manufacturers not use a "better", more stringent standard, like you've just stated?

Because there's only so much you can do to a helmet before it become uncomfortable and heavy.

just got my first helmet.

First helmet is never forgotten.

Their bicycle helmets might no longer meet those standards ... ? :)

And they don't, most likely because they were too expensive in terms of production and profitability. It's a business after all, lowest production cost vs highest sales price etc.

Because there's only so much you can do to a helmet before it become uncomfortable and heavy.

Well, many bicycle helmets used to be Snell approved, and top end helmet design hasn't changed that much. Unfortunately, helmet manufacturers are private businesses. Thus exists to make profit. Why would they make something better which costs more to produce, when they can produce something for less, which is much more profitable that will still sell due to fear?

EN1078 is the present day European standard for cycle helmets .. "This European Standard specifies requirements and test methods for helmets worn by users of pedal cycles, skateboards and roller skates. Requirements and the corresponding methods of test are given for the following: - construction, including field of vision; - shock absorbing properties; - retention system properties, including chin strap and fastening devices; - marking and information."

The requirements of the EN standard offer a lower level of protection than Snell B90 standard.

As Muppetteer said .. would joe public or you pay more for the Snell passed helmet when the cheaper one beside it on the self meets the EN standard? So why make something that costs more to make and will return a lower profit margin unless it becomes legislation ..

EN1078 is the present day European standard for cycle helmets .. "This European Standard specifies requirements and test methods for helmets worn by users of pedal cycles, skateboards and roller skates. Requirements and the corresponding methods of test are given for the following: - construction, including field of vision; - shock absorbing properties; - retention system properties, including chin strap and fastening devices; - marking and information."

The requirements of the EN standard offer a lower level of protection than Snell B90 standard.

As Muppetteer said .. would joe public or you pay more for the Snell passed helmet when the cheaper one beside it on the self meets the EN standard? So why make something that costs more to make and will return a lower profit margin unless it becomes legislation ..

Well, it works for the motor cycle helmet sector as a sales feature, as they all cite the higher standards, I guess cyclists in the helmet market aren't that concerned with safety? And I would have thought that most companies compete with "added benefits" eg. 10% extra free, new improved taste, retina or whatever it is that they can differentiate themselves within the marketplace. It used to work, check the Snell site to see which helmets used to pass.

. would joe public or you pay more for the Snell passed helmet when the cheaper one beside it on the self meets the EN standard?.

At the moment, a great many MAMILs are more than happy to pay extra for a less safe helmet. All the design effort in high end road/XC hats goes into making the lightest and airiest helmet which will just barely pass the lowest certification which will allow it to be brought to market.

Anybody looking for a helmet manufacturer which actually considers safety, rather than just meeting mandatory minimum standards, can head over to http://www.pocsports.com/

POC sports only certify to EN 1078 and CPSC 1203 which is the equivalent US standard .. All they are doing is meeting the minimum standards to be on the market

I didn't say they were getting higher certificates, just that their r&d effort is directed towards safety.

This whole thing about helmets... To me it's a matter of personal choice and there the discussion lies.

This whole thing about helmets... To me it's a matter of personal choice and there the discussion lies.

But how can there be personal choice when people are so uniformed? mdcc-tester thought that the CE legislation is the only one that can be used, and I imagine, he's relatively informed. What about the rest of the people? They're clueless. And the manufacturers just avoid the issue of safety as they're in search of profits.

But how can there be personal choice when people are so uniformed?

Good typo.

^Rep!

It's an iPad. It's difficult enough to type on as it is! ;-)

Pffft. Did you not make an informed choice as to which computer to get? :)

Honestly, keyboard standards these days ...

Alas no, supplied by work.

I can't believe this thread has been going all day

I can't believe this thread has been going for over 6 years

ftfy

http://www.lfgss.com/post4093-1.html

It arose from several different threads when this type of thread started to multiply a few years ago. I think the 'Remember kids ...' title came from roxy.

"But how can there be personal choice when people are so uniformed? mdcc-tester thought that the CE legislation is the only one that can be used, and I imagine, he's relatively informed. What about the rest of the people? They're clueless. And the manufacturers just avoid the issue of safety as they're in search of profits."

Not exactly sure what you're on about, above mentioned typo aside; in that respect I am clueless. Are you suggesting that choosing to wear or not to wear a helmet in effect isn't really a personal choice, as either way (to most people anyway) it would be an uninformed decision?