On the 24th of September, the Dutch site Motorrijders.nl wrote an article called “Really everything about the motorbike helmet”. In our opinion a fantastic article, full of indispensable tips about the motor helmet.
And of course we have our own opinion. Fantastic, as you read above, because we applaud all knowledge that is spread that improves the safety of motorcyclists (or helmet wearers in general).
And we have some additions too. We compared this article against (and added to where necessary) the information on “the seven elements that make a helmet safe”.
Element #4: fit
“Research by helmet manufacturers has clearly shown that nearly three-quarters of motorcyclists ride with a helmet that is too large.”
The article pays a lot of attention to the element ‘fit’, particularly about how a helmet should also be (more than) “on”. This is essential, as far as we are concerned, and is endorsed by the research by helmet manufacturers to which reference is made.
The correct weight of the motorbike helmet is also mentioned as an important element to select a motorbike helmet on.
Element #6: clean and hygienic
Our sixth element has also been given a place in the article, under the heading ‘ventilation’. On this they write
There are plenty of examples of motorcyclists who have become unwell simply because they have stopped breathing fresh air. In dry air there is about 0.3% carbon dioxide, for exhaled air it is 4%! So if you continue to breathe in and out the very limited amount of air in your helmet without a supply of fresh air from outside, the percentage of carbon dioxide gas you breathe in will rise rapidly. This in turn can lead to an excess of CO2 and a shortage of oxygen in the blood. The result is nausea and dizziness, which you really don’t want on a bike!
The missing elements
Of the seven elements that make a motor helmet safe for the user, this article focuses on two.
So is that wrong? Incomplete or even careless of them?
No, far from it! As mentioned, we welcome any platform that deals with the safety of helmet wearers in traffic.
We see it as our mission to offer and disseminate our specialist and additional knowledge in this area, and thus to inform every interested party that there are more elements that make a helmet safe. As many as 7 in total!
For the sake of completeness, here are the 7 elements that together make a motor helmet safe for the user.
A safe helmet
1. has the correct certification (e.g. in Europe ECE 22-05 or ECE 22-06);
2. does not have any defects or damage;
3. is not older than 7 years;
4. fits very tightly around the head and face;
5. is used as intended (e.g. pulling on the chin strap);
6. is clean on the outside (visor) and inside;
7. is clearly visible (light colours, reflection, lighting).