Guide
E-biking to work: how to get the season off to a good start
by Martin Jungfer
A bicycle helmet will protect you – but only if you put it on correctly
15.8.2023
Translation: Patrik Stainbrook
Colourful, stylish, highly functional – our wide range of bike helmets offers something for everyone. Often, however, we wear helmets in such a way that they’d be of no use in an accident.
Even if it isn’t legally required, wearing a helmet while cycling is highly recommended. It protects you from serious head injuries in case of an accident. According to studies by the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention (BFU), three out of five cyclists in Switzerland wear a helmet when they ride.
Whether they also wear it correctly hasn’t been investigated. In everyday life, you always notice people who wear a helmet. But out of ignorance or fear of ruining their hairstyle, some just lightly drape it on. That’s about as useful as not wearing one. Best to stick to these important rules.
Tips for choosing the right bicycle helmet
Apart from accident protection, your bike helmet should do one thing above all: sit comfortably on your head. If a helmet has a lot of adjustment options, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to set it up perfectly. Almost always, there’s a wheel which allows you to adjust the circumference of the inner head band. The side straps can usually be adjusted in height too.
When it comes to design, you’re spoiled for choice. Most manufacturers also offer bike helmets in muted colours like grey, silver and black. However, if safety comes before looks for you, it’s better to choose colours that make you highly visible in traffic. Preferably even helmets with reflective elements. If you really want an inconspicuous colour, helmets with integrated lights can be a good compromise.
What are the standards for bicycle helmets?
In addition to the standards, there are also protection systems from manufacturers themselves. MIPS, for example, provides an additional sliding shell in the helmet.
Replace your bicycle helmet after an accident
You should handle your bicycle helmet with care. It’ll protect you, but only if you protect it. For example, don’t let it fall on the ground, which could easily damage it. This is even more true for hard impacts – and, of course, after an accident. Although you may not see anything besides a scratch, the helmet could have structural damage. Hairline cracks in the material could prevent the helmet from protecting you well enough in a future accident.
Manufacturers and experts alike therefore recommend replacing a bicycle helmet if it has taken a knock. If this isn’t the case, a replacement is recommended after five years at the latest. UV radiation and weather also take its toll on the material in the long run.
Award winning bike helmets
Bike helmets are regularly tested by experts at consumer magazines and journals. Here’s a selection of currently recommended models.
«Stiftung Warentest»
The German magazine last subjected several bicycle helmets to a comparison in July 2021. Here are the top three ranked products:
SRF Magazin’s Kassensturz
In April 2023, a laboratory tested eleven bicycle helmets on behalf of the SRF consumer programme Kassensturz. Eight received the test grade «Good», including these models:
Test portal Kaufkompass
The portal Kaufkompass, run by an independent editorial team, has selected test winners from a total of 47 helmets across various categories.
The overall victory there goes to the Urban Planet LED. This helmet is «super tough, extremely comfortable to wear, illuminated and equipped with additional protection in the rear and temple area». In summary, «the Uvex Urban Planet LED is the ideal head protection for cyclists and inline skaters».
For the Kaufkompass editors, the price-performance winner is a model from Fischer:
For cyclists who – like me – don’t enjoy having insects in their eyes and prefer to travel with a visor rather than glasses, this helmet is recommended:
If you want a helmet with lights and turn signals, this is the right place. The Lumos bike helmet is also available in other colours. My editorial colleague Michael Restin tested the model at its market launch. You can read his report here.
Header image: ABUS
Martin Jungfer
Head of Content
Martin.Jungfer@digitecgalaxus.chJournalist since 1997. Stopovers in Franconia (or the Franken region), Lake Constance, Obwalden, Nidwalden and Zurich. Father since 2014. Expert in editorial organisation and motivation. Focus on sustainability, home office tools, beautiful things for the home, creative toys and sports equipment.
Bike
Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest
Guide
Practical solutions for everyday problems with technology, household hacks and much more.
Show all
