Bicycles are considered vehicles when it traverses any roadways so cyclists are considered motorists too. Safety precautions such as helmets, tail lights, or reflective gears are necessary for the rider to reduce accidents. Amid the pandemic, more and more Filipinos have resorted to biking to get to work. But unfortunately, only a few are wearing helmets.
In this article, we will talk about the importance of wearing a bike helmet and some tips on how you can make the right helmet choice. Plus, our list of recommended helmets is further down below. So continue reading and keep yourself informed on the crux of the subject of wearing a bike helmet.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
Several cities and municipalities around the country are starting to recognize the relevance of wearing bike helmets. Local ordinances are being enacted to impose penalties on those who don't wear helmets while riding a bicycle. Whether it is a law or not, here are five compelling reasons why you should be wearing a bike helmet.
The primary reason why a helmet was invented is to protect the head and, essentially, the brain. Seventy-five percent of accidents around the world involving motorcycles or bicycles are head injuries, which leads to either death or disability.
Wearing a helmet great reduces your risk of having a head injury by 50% and the chance of face or neck injury by 33%.
The best way to teach a child is to lead by example. As parents or adults, it is better to show our kids the right way to keep safe at all times.
If your kids see you wearing a helmet whenever you ride a bike, this manner will provide them the correct practice without giving it another thought. They automatically associate the action of wearing a helmet with riding a bicycle.
You can certainly select which type of helmet will suit your riding style and it's the best way to brandish your personal expression. Different kinds of helmets correspond to several bike type preferences. Whether it is a road bike, an off-road mountain bike, or a downhill bike, there is an appropriate helmet for every discipline.
Using your bike as the main mode of transportation, you may be subjected to different weather conditions while on the road. Your helmet should be able to offer sufficient protection from different elements.
It should be able to keep your head cool in the summer months, while it stays comfortable even in rainy seasons. It can also protect you from harmful UV rays for longer periods under the sun.
Cycling at night might be a huge challenge for most bikers. Motorists may be able to see you during the day, but at night, it's a different story.
Not all drivers can see clearly at night from a distance, so getting a reflective helmet might save your life. If you don't have a reflective helmet, you can always purchase a reflective sticker and run a few bands on the helmet to make yourself visible.
Whether you're still starting out or already an avid cyclist, finding the right helmet that suits your preference is one of the most substantial parts of being a cyclist. Here are a few basic items to ponder to help you find the best fitting helmet.
Not all helmets are created the same and your type of helmet is dictated by your riding style. Are you a trail rider, a city commuter, or a road warrior? Find out below which category you belong to.
The engineering to make a lighter but tougher than an ordinary helmet is the reason why these types of helmets are expensive. These have compact but aerodynamic designs that redirect the wind to prevent turbulence while speeding along the highway. You can often see these helmets worn by cycle racing athletes.
These types of helmets have improved coverage of the rear and sides of the head because of the increased probability of crashing. It often has visors to shield the eyes and for better visibility on shaded trails instead of wearing sunglasses. These are well-ventilated headgears that come in half shells.
If you're into extreme sports like downhill or freestyle riding, this is the helmet for you. It is made from a solid one-piece shell with a full jaw guard that can protect the whole head from life-threatening crashes.
It can be considerably heavier than mountain bike helmets because of the construction. This is akin to what motorsport athletes wear but with more air vents and minus the plastic face shield cover.
Swim, bike, and run is what triathletes do, and they try to record the shortest amount of time on every leg of the race, so having an ultra-aerodynamic helmet can save significant time on their time.
Although it may look ridiculous at times, a triathlete's helmet has a rounded front and a long pointed rear with a face shield. This design is made to cut through the air at high speeds during the race.
These recreational bike helmets are made for casual or city riding. Most of them are offered at an economical price with basic impact protection.
Some could come in different colors and styles that are perfect for trick riding or use while commuting to and from work in style. It has little ventilation with some reflective details to keep you visible while in traffic.
It is also important to note that individuals of Western descent have a more oval-shaped head, which is narrower in width but longer on the front to back. While Asians have rounder shapes which is wider in width.
Another thing to keep in mind is to take note of the brand’s measurement, as every manufacturer provides its own measurement table for head sizing.
Guarding against head injuries from falling off the bike is the primary mission of a helmet. To accomplish this mission, each helmet consists of two partsー the plastic shell and the inner liner. The plastic shell provides resistance and lets the helmet slide upon impact to protect the head and neck. The inner liner, made from high-grade styrofoam, protects your head by dissipating impact forces.
Sometimes rotational forces can also cause brain injury without us even knowing it. Helmet manufacturers came up with different ways to minimize rotational forces during a crash. Most of which are branded with different terms but may work almost the same. For your peace of mind, consider these specialized technologies when buying your helmet.
Basically, MIPS, or Multi-directional Impact Protection System, is described as a built-in plastic roll cage that features a low-friction layer which, upon impact, lets the helmet slide relative to the head.
It adds more protection against concussions to the brain caused by angled impacts. This technology has been adapted by different helmet manufacturers and is currently present on many helmet brands.
This technology is a collapsible honeycomb liner material that minimizes the effect of distorted head impacts that causes brain trauma.
Based on a study done at the Legacy Research Institute in Portland, Oregon, this tech is more efficient than MIPS in lessening both linear impact and rational forces on the brain. WaveCel can only be found on Bontrager helmets.
POC, a Swedish helmet manufacturer, has developed the SPIN (Shearing Pad INside) technology to provide a similar, if not better, protection against indirect or rotational impacts that causes brain injury.
This features silicone-injected pads designed to move inside the shell which redirects rotational forces during a crash. Taking from MIPS, POC has created its own signature protective helmet.
As we've mentioned before, helmets could come in different designs and styles yet, there are riders that may want to push the envelope when it comes to features. Below are some details that some enthusiasts may want to have on their helmets.
In this day and age of wireless devices, cyclists may also want to record and share their latest trail adventure or downhill clock through an action camera.
Others may need to integrate a headlight or blinking light on their helmets for more visibility during night rides. A helmet with an option to mount recording devices, lights, or a tracking tool will be a useful addition to its basic functionality.
Better air intake and enhanced wind flow over your head will keep you cooler during the ride. The more comfortable you are, the more miles you can add to your daily exercise.
Also, the higher the number of vents in a helmet, the lighter it will be. A visor provides an eye shield so the rider can clearly see the single-track paths and enjoy the ride.
Currently, full-face helmets for mountain bikers are getting extremely popular because it became lighter, better ventilated, and with more manufacturers, the price significantly went lower.
More and more riders are using this type of helmet even on ordinary trick biking. It has a wraparound chin bar to protect not just the head, but also the face while doing downhill biking or competitive freestyle biking.
If you're looking for a commuter helmet for your city riding, the Helmo helmet with an adjustable strap might be your best choice. The interior is made of shock-absorbing EPS inner lining and high-density foam fabric that is soft and comfortable enough for your everyday commuting. It completely covers the side and rear portion of the head for extra protection.
The shape fitting follows the contour of the head to give a sense of safety. You can take out the interior foam and wash it as needed. It has a one-size-fits-all adjustment that is made specifically for adults. Also, it is available in different color variants to choose from to match your style.
The Cairbull helmet is a good biking helmet for budget-conscious mountain bikers. It is made of expanded styrene material for the interior lining and polycarbonate for the outer cover. These components provide the basic shock-absorbing characteristics of a standard cycling helmet. It has a quick-release visor that is adjustable and provides the option to be removed completely.
There are ample vent holes all over the helmet to keep you cool during the ride. You can detach the removable foam cushion inside the shell for washing or cleaning. This helmet is made for adults and comes in large size only. There are several color choices so take your pick.
Bikepackers will surely need this type of helmet for their long rides and adventures. It features three modes of light on each of the front, side, and back warning lights for up to 450 lumens. You can use it for any night activities such as riding, caving, or camping. It has waterproof and shockproof construction for improved safety from impact.
Rockbros has provided a USB charging feature for its 2000mAh internal battery that can be used for up to four hours of high-intensity light. Thick breathable pad lining is washable, and the interior has an insect net to ward off pesky bugs at night. Easily adjust the strap with a rotatable locking mechanism at the back. This helmet is the total package for bikepacking enthusiasts.
Teaching your kids how to bike at a young age helps them establish better sensory-motor skills and mental health. Plus, it's pure and simple fun. But you must provide the right safety gear before the activity. Get a kiddie helmet that is comfortable with efficient ventilation. The Chaser bike helmet for kids has an EPS lining with an ABS plastic outer shell.
It is a lightweight helmet that should fit any kid from ages 2.5-10 years old, so you need not purchase a new helmet as your kid grows. The easy-lock chin strap is adjustable with a detachable foam cover to keep it snug all the time. Start them early, get the right helmet to keep your kids active as they grow.
Fox has been one of the innovation leaders in the motocross industry by designing and producing gears and apparel for the world's best riders. Their Speedframe Helmet is a premium product that features MIPS technology, which was proven to reduce rotational forces during a crash. It has a goggle-compatible 3-position visor to allow full customization.
The 360-degree fit makes this model the best valued open-faced mountain bike helmets under the Fox brand. The optimized venting with channeled in-molded EPS allows adequate cooling, and the removable moisture-wicking comfort liner is washable. Add in the legendary Fox design logo, you have one of the most shred-ready MTB helmets in the market today.
Rudy Project's Racemaster helmet used In-Mold technology wherein the external polycarbonate shell is directly cast to the EPS impact-absorbing foam to make it more rigid and knock-resistant. To provide more strength to the helmet, protection grids are installed to reinforce the whole structure. Also, it has MIPS technology, which is proven to reduce energy during oblique impacts.
The hexagon-shaped liner called Hexocrush adds more shock absorption, which dissipates crushing forces sideways and radially. Rudy Project ensures that all their product lines are created with the finest materials with bright and fluorescent colors to ensure sufficient visibility while on the road and promote security.
Get the Bontrager Specter WaveCel helmet and upscale your protection to the next level. This lightweight cycling helmet is your top choice when taking on any type of riding with the help of advanced protection provided by its WaveCel technology. The reflective strips on the back of the helmet offer enhanced visibility even in low light conditions.
May it be on roads, trails, gravel, or dirt, the collapsible cellular structure lining the inside of the helmet will deliver the confidence you need. Bontrager has taken safety to another notch in this exclusive technology.
There is a Crash Replacement Guarantee that provides a free helmet replacement if you get involved in a crash on your first year of ownership. Now, that is a great deal.
Established in 2005 in Sweden, POC is one of the leading manufacturers of helmets and accessories in snow sports and cycling all over the world. Their Ventral SPIN helmet has a unique aerodynamic design optimized for enhanced performance and minimal air turbulence.
The helmet was integrated with a SPIN (Shearing Pad INside) technology that comprehensively protects the wearer's head and brain. The highly performing EPS liner is developed for density to provide the right balance between low weight and crash protection.
Due to the innovative airflow design, it keeps you cool and well ventilated at all times. This helmet is so advanced that the Cannondale-Drapac Pro Cycling Team wears it.
The Bell company was born in 1954 and has been one of the prime brands when it comes to designing speed helmets. The Full-9 Fusion was built on the legendary Full-9 platform that hooked extreme riders who hold nothing back. It is made out of a premium fiberglass shell with the latest MIPS technology that can protect even the gnarliest rider out there.
The quick-drying interior materials, woven with real silver fibers, can stop the growth of odor-causing bacteria inside the helmet. Keeping you cool is the job of the overbrow ventilation that has intake ports on the helmet brow to suck in cooler air and slides it in the air channel matrix as you go full speed down the track.
Documenting your downhill run is not a problem with the integrated camera mount engineered to break away upon impact to lessen the risk of injury. Get your DH bikes ready because this helmet won't let you down.
Specialized is a company built in 1974 by bike riders themselves. One can say that they are the pioneer designers of the mountain bike that we know today. Their S-Works Prevail II with ANGi (Angular and G-Force Indicator) is specially designed by riders, which incorporates the ANGi Crash Sensor.
The aerodynamic design has a patented aramid-enforced skeleton that provides EPS support. The new and lightest MIPS SL is installed within for a more ventilated MIPS protection, together with a 4th dimension cooling system that integrates deep internal channels and aligned exhaust ports.
The ANGi pod is full of sensors that are mounted at the back of the helmet, which could detect a fatal impact. It automatically creates a countdown, and if not stopped when it reaches zero, an emergency message is sent to a contact with your complete GPS coordinates. This small device will definitely save your life.
Be fully-equipped and in-style for your cycling journey. Check out the links below to some of our articles for your best and wisest purchases!
Designed to absorb a single impact, a bike helmet should be replaced immediately if it got involved in an accident. Do not compromise your safety, shell out a few bucks on the latest helmet with exciting features. We've provided you all the information that you needed, so it's best to keep them in mind when purchasing a helmet for you or your family.
Author: Chafi Lacson
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The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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