What do all the different bike helmet safety certifications mean?

Researching cycling helmet standards is a real rabbit hole of acronyms, codes and bewildering language. Not all countries adhere to the same standards but in practice there is a lot of crossover.

Some helmet manufacturers add optional but potentially valuable safety technology, such as MIPS, to their helmets.

To help you understand what to look for in a bike helmet, we’ll run through the different helmet safety standards and the different protective tech on the market. 

What are the bicycle helmet safety standards?

Europe and UK vs North America

The EU and the UK use the EN 1078 standard and North America’s equivalent is CPSC 1203.

These standards are very similar although CPSC 1203 requires helmets to withstand more impact force.

In theory, this permits manufacturers of EN 1078 helmets to make them lighter than CPSC-compliant helmets. 

But brands usually make helmets meet the more rigorous standards so they can be sold in both markets in the same form. 

Both the EN 1078 and CPSC 1203 also cover aspects of helmet design, including shock-absorption, strap function and line of sight. 

Australia and New Zealand

It is a legal requirement to wear a helmet while cycling in Australia and New Zealand. The countries have their own safety standard: AS/NZS 2063:2020. 

As of March 2024, these countries recognise European and North American standards as well. 

Which helmets are safest?

Each brand claims their helmets are very safe, but it’s unfeasible for journalists to put these claims to the test due to cost constraints.

Fortunately, Virginia Tech University in the US independently tests helmets using its own safety protocol. It assigns them a score with a lower number denoting a safer helmet. On its website, 244 helmets have ratings in 2024. 

Virginia Tech says it evaluates a helmet’s ability to minimise linear acceleration and rotational speed of the head from a range of impacts a cyclist may receive: in other words, to lower your risk of concussion. 

What extra safety features do helmets use?

MIPS

MIPS (multi-directional impact protection system) is the best known technology some brands incorporate into their helmets. It is claimed to reduce concussion risk from head impacts by diminishing rotational forces. 

It’s not the be-all and end-all for helmet safety though. The first (Giro Aries Spherical) and third (Specialized Prevail 3) safest road helmets according to Virginia Tech don’t have MIPS.

Proprietary helmet safety technologies 

Several brands have their own concussion-preventing technologies.

• Wavecell: Trek/Bontrager
• Kineticore: Lazer
• WG11: Kask

Which helmet safety standards and technology should you choose?

Where does this leave you? 

Increasing uniformity of minimum helmet safety standards means any helmet from a reputable brand should meet the national requirements wherever you ride. 

Whether you opt for MIPS or a brand’s proprietary technology is up to you. As you can see from Virginia Tech’s website, these features don’t appear to guarantee a high ranking from independent safety testers. 

If you can afford it, we’d recommend picking a helmet that fares well in Virginia Tech’s lab. 

But the simplest advice we can offer is to stick to well-known and established brands and, most importantly, try before you buy to find a helmet that fits correctly.

The best aero road helmets may save you watts, keep you cool and use the latest safety technology. But if yours is perched jauntily on the back of your head or doesn’t fit securely, it isn’t going to do its job if you have an off.