Bike Helmet for E-Bike Riders in the UK: Fit, Standards and Care

A bike helmet is the one piece of kit that most riders buy once and then forget about. It sits in a hallway or hangs from a handlebar, and nobody checks whether it still fits, whether the straps have slipped or whether it is old enough to replace. Yet the helmet only does its job if it is the right size, adjusted properly and in good condition. Choosing a new one is the best moment to get those things right.

This guide covers what the Highway Code says about helmets, which e-bikes count as ordinary bicycles and which are treated differently, how to read a helmet's markings, how to measure and fit one, how to look after it, and when to replace it. It also looks at the questions riders ask most often about helmets and electric bikes. The aim is to help you make a clear choice and then check the fit yourself, without relying on marketing claims.

Rule 59 of the Highway Code covers clothing for cyclists. On helmets it says that you should wear a cycle helmet that conforms to current regulations, is the correct size and is securely fastened. It adds that evidence suggests a correctly fitted helmet will reduce your risk of sustaining a head injury in certain circumstances. The rule uses the word "should", which is advice, so it does not create a legal requirement in the way a "must" does. You can read the full text on the government's Highway Code page for rules for cyclists (59 to 82) at https://www.gov.uk/the-highway-code/rules-for-cyclists-59-to-82.

Notice the three conditions in that rule: conforms to current regulations, correct size, securely fastened. They make a useful buying checklist. The first is about the markings on the helmet, the second is about measuring your head, and the third is about adjusting the straps every time you put it on.

Before you pick a helmet, it helps to know what kind of electric bike you ride. The government's electric bike rules say you can ride an electric bike if you are 14 or over, as long as it is an electrically assisted pedal cycle, known as an EAPC. To qualify, an EAPC must have a continuous rated power output of no more than 250 watts, and the motor must not be able to propel the bike when it is travelling at more than 15.5 miles per hour. The same page explains that some electric bikes do not meet those conditions, for example those with higher power output, and that the same page says that for those, riders must wear a motorcycle helmet that meets British safety standards. Read the page to see exactly which bikes it covers. You can check the details on the official page at https://www.gov.uk/electric-bike-rules.

If you are not sure which category your bike falls into, check the bike's documentation or ask the seller before you choose a helmet, because the answer decides which type of helmet you should be buying.

The Highway Code says "conforms to current regulations", so the next question is how you can tell. Look inside the helmet and on the packaging for a standards marking.

For pedal cycle helmets in Great Britain, the standard you will see most often is BS EN 1078. The British Standards Institution describes BS EN 1078 as a standard that specifies requirements and test methods for helmets worn by users of pedal cycles, skateboards and roller skates. Its requirements cover construction, including field of vision, shock-absorbing properties, retention system properties, including the chin strap and fastening devices, and marking and information. You can read the BSI summary at https://knowledge.bsigroup.com/products/helmets-for-pedal-cyclists-and-for-users-of-skateboards-and-roller-skates-1.

British Cycling's guide to buying and fitting a helmet tells riders to make sure a helmet has passed either the US Snell B90/B95 standard or the European standard CE mark test, and to look for the relevant logo on the sticker or embossed on the body of the helmet. Check children's helmets too. If you cannot find any standards marking, do not guess. Ask the seller to show you where it is, or choose a different helmet.

A standards mark tells you the helmet met a set of tests. It does not tell you whether the helmet fits your head, and it does not guarantee protection in every kind of accident. The BSI summary itself notes that the protection a helmet gives depends on the circumstances of the accident, and that wearing a helmet cannot always prevent death or long-term disability. Fit and condition matter as much as the label.

Helmets are sold in several styles. Each suits a different kind of riding, and none is automatically better for an electric bike.

These are the common vented helmets with a rounded shell, a ratchet or dial at the back and straps under the chin. Many commuters use them. Look for removable pads that you can wash, an adjustable retention system and a design that sits comfortably with your glasses if you wear them.

Some urban helmets are styled like a casual hat, with fewer vents or built-in lights. Check how many vents a helmet has, since fewer vents may feel warmer in summer. British Cycling notes in its guide that aerodynamic helmets with fewer or no vents can be very warm, and recommends choosing for how you ride.

Some mountain bike helmets add a peak at the front. If you ride an electric mountain bike off road, you may look at this style. Check that it carries a standards marking in the same way as any other helmet.

Children's helmets need the same checks as adult ones, and the sizing range is narrower. Measure the child's head, adjust the straps carefully and re-check as the child grows.

Cycling UK's advice on wearing a helmet starts with size. Cycle helmets generally come in only a handful of sizes, and each lists a range in centimetres showing the head circumferences it should accommodate. Cycling UK suggests measuring your head before you go to the shop by holding a tape horizontally around your head, above your ears and eyebrows. It also suggests trying helmets on in the shop, because the most comfortable may be a size up or a different model entirely, as different designs suit different head shapes. You can read the full guide at https://www.cyclinguk.org/cycle-magazine/knowhow-how-wear-cycle-helmet-if-you-choose.

Here is a simple way to follow that advice at home:

1. Use a soft tape measure and hold it level around your head, just above your eyebrows and ears. 2. Write down the measurement in centimetres. 3. Compare it with the size chart for each helmet you are considering, and pick the size whose range includes your number. 4. If you are between sizes, try both if you can, since head shape also matters. 5. If you buy online, check the retailer's returns policy before you order, so you can swap a helmet that does not fit.

Men's and women's helmets are sold separately by many brands. Cycling UK says the real difference is usually the size bands, which can be smaller on women's models, and suggests getting whichever fits best, whatever the label says.

A well-chosen helmet can still fail to protect you if it sits wrongly on your head. Both British Cycling and Cycling UK describe the same fitting steps, which are quick to repeat each time.

Most helmets have a dial or ratchet at the back that tightens a cradle around your head. Loosen it, put the helmet on, then tighten it until the helmet feels snug but not uncomfortable. Cycling UK suggests shaking your head from side to side and bending over to check that the helmet stays with your head, even before you fasten the chin strap.

The front of the helmet should sit low on your forehead. British Cycling says the front should be about two finger widths above your eyebrows, and Cycling UK says no more than a couple of fingers' width. If the helmet sits further back, your forehead is exposed.

The straps that fall around your ears form a V shape, with an adjustable slider on each side. Both organisations say the slider should sit just beneath your earlobe, so the straps in front of and behind your ears sit against your skin without twisting.

The strap under your chin should be snug but comfortable. British Cycling says you should be able to slide two fingers between your chin and the strap when it is fastened. Cycling UK says it should be loose enough to yawn comfortably but snug enough that you can only get a finger or two underneath. Both give a similar picture, so aim for a fit where the strap holds the helmet in place without choking you.

Cycling UK points out that straps can work loose over time, so you may need to readjust them later. Make it a habit to check the fit at the start of each ride, especially if you have changed what you wear under the helmet, such as a cap or a thin hat.

A thin cycling cap or a stretchy snood usually fits under a helmet, but Cycling UK notes you may need to adjust the chin strap and the rear ratchet. If you wear glasses, check that the helmet's side straps and rear cradle do not push the arms of your glasses into your head.

Be careful with accessories fixed to the outside of the helmet. Cycling UK advises that anything fitted to the exterior must be able to snap free instantly in a crash. It notes that visors are designed to do this, but lights and cameras may not be. If they snag the ground or road, they could twist your head and add to neck injuries or rotational brain injuries. If you want a helmet camera, our guide to helmet cameras at https://www.emotorad.com/uk/blogs/helmet-camera-cycling-uk-mounting-recording-guide covers mounting and buying checks. Check the helmet maker's instructions before you attach anything.

A helmet is a sacrificial item. British Cycling explains that the expanded polystyrene layer forms most of the helmet and is the part that crumples and deforms to absorb the shock of an impact. Because of that, you should treat it with care.

• Keep it clean. Wash the pads regularly and look for removable ones if you can.
• Follow the maker's storage advice.
• Check the shell, the foam and the straps every few weeks for cracks, dents or fraying.
• Check the maker's advice before you use cleaning products or add stickers.

British Cycling says the date sticker inside a helmet shows its manufacture date, and that the general consensus is that you should replace your helmet every three to five years. Treat that as a general guide and follow the helmet maker's own advice where it gives a different figure.

You should also replace a helmet after a crash. British Cycling says you should always discard a helmet after a significant crash and closely inspect it after any impact. Some makers offer a replacement scheme at a discount, so ask the seller or the maker. Replace a helmet too if the straps are frayed, the buckle no longer clicks shut, the foam is cracked or compressed, or the helmet no longer fits snugly.

Many riders ask whether an electric bike needs a different helmet. The answer depends on the category of bike, as the electric bike rules above explain. For an EAPC, the Highway Code guidance for cyclists applies, which means a cycle helmet that conforms to current regulations, in the right size and fastened.

Whatever the category, a few practical points apply to electric bike riders.

• Plan for comfort over longer rides. An electric bike makes longer commutes easy, so you may wear the helmet for more time. Choose one that stays comfortable after an hour.
• Check ventilation for summer and the fit over a cap for winter, so you can use the same helmet all year.
• If you ride in low light, add lights and reflective items to your clothing, in line with Rule 59, which says light-coloured or fluorescent clothing can help other road users to see you in daylight and poor light, and reflective clothing or accessories can increase your visibility in the dark.
• Keep the helmet where you can see it, so you remember to take it with you.

If you are choosing an electric bike as well as a helmet, you can see the range at https://www.emotorad.com/uk/shop and book a test ride at https://www.emotorad.com/uk/book-test-ride. Try the bike with your own helmet on, so you can check that it sits well and that nothing obstructs your view.

You can buy helmets from bike shops, sports retailers and online. A local shop lets you try several sizes and styles in person, which Cycling UK recommends. Buying online can work if you have measured your head and the retailer accepts returns.

Whichever route you choose, run through this checklist:

• The helmet has a visible standards marking inside or on the packaging.
• The size range lists your head measurement.
• The cradle and straps adjust easily and hold their position.
• The chin strap buckle fastens and releases without sticking.
• The helmet is comfortable after several minutes with the straps fastened.
• You can see well to the sides and over your shoulder with the helmet on.
• You know the manufacture date, so you can plan the replacement.

The Highway Code says you should wear a cycle helmet that conforms to current regulations, is the correct size and is securely fastened. The word "should" marks it as advice. If your electric bike does not meet the EAPC conditions, the electric bike rules say you must wear a motorcycle helmet that meets British safety standards, so check which category your bike belongs to.

A price tag does not tell you how a helmet will perform for you. A standards marking shows that the helmet passed a set of tests, and fit decides how well it works on your head. Choose a helmet that carries a standards marking, fits your head and feels comfortable for your usual ride length.

It should be snug without causing discomfort. Cycling UK suggests it should stay on your head when you shake it from side to side and bend over, even before you fasten the chin strap. Then adjust the side straps and chin strap as described above.

British Cycling says the general consensus is every three to five years, and that you should discard a helmet after a significant crash. Follow the maker's advice if it differs.

If it carries a standards marking, still fits, has no cracks or compressed foam, has not been in a crash and is within the maker's suggested lifespan, it may be fine. If you are unsure, check the date sticker inside and inspect the straps and buckle.

Check the maker's instructions first. Cycling UK warns that anything fitted to the outside of a helmet should be able to snap free instantly in a crash, and that lights and cameras may not.

Children need a helmet that carries a standards marking and fits their head. British Cycling says to check children's helmets for the standards logo too. Measure the child's head, check the fit often, and replace the helmet as they grow.

A helmet does its work only when it carries a standards marking, fits your head and is adjusted every time you ride. Measure your head, choose a size whose range includes your measurement, set the cradle, side straps and chin strap, and check the fit at the start of each ride. Look after the helmet, replace it after a crash and keep an eye on its age. If you ride an electric bike, check that it meets the EAPC conditions so you know which type of helmet applies. Then pick a bike that suits your journeys and try it with your helmet on, which you can arrange through a test ride at https://www.emotorad.com/uk/book-test-ride.