Foldable Bikes Party: Best bike helmets: a buyers guide to help you find what's right for you

Wednesday, 18 May 2016

Best bike helmets: a buyers guide to help you find what's right for you

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In the market for a bike helmet, but not sure where to start or what the difference is between a road and mountain bike helmet? Fret not, BikeRadar is here to help.

There are lots of reasons to take up cycling, and once you've got a your bike sorted, you'll need to get the rest of the essential kit that goes with it. After bikes, bike helmets are next on most riders' list of important equipment.

There are many different types of bike helmet, and the price can range from bargain basement to premium, but you don't need to spend a fortune to get a good lid that will help keep your head protected. Our buyer's guide will take you through the different types of helmet and what they are good for, what size of helmet you need, and even tell you when you need to replace your old helmet.

Do I need to wear a cycling helmet?

Different countries have different laws regarding whether cyclists need to wear helmets while on the road. In the UK, wearing a helmet while cycling is not compulsory at any age, though it is recommended by the Highway Code. In the US, while there is no overarching law regarding the wearing of helmets though individual states and cities have laws or ordinances regarding the wearing of helmets, some for all ages but the majority for minors under the age of 18 or 16. Australia was one of the first countries in the world to introduce compulsory cycle helmet laws, and so wearing a bike helmet is a must.

Opinion: Should cycle helmets be made compulsory?

One area where there's absolutely no debate about whether you should or shouldn't wear a bike helmet is mountain biking. If you are cycling off-road, which is inherently a risky business (that is, after all, partly why we like it so much) then you should be wearing a bike helmet.