Presently, there is a minimum safety standard, EN 1078, that needs to be met in order for any bicycle helmet sold in the EU to obtain the CE mark.

However, unlike the safety rating scheme for motorcycle helmets, SHARP or the Euro NCAP safety rating scheme for cars, the impact testing required by the existing EU minimum safety standard for bicycle helmets is considered to be rather lax.

The result is that bicycle helmets meeting EN 1078 standard requirements may not perform adequately in real-life crashes.

The current EU test protocol focuses on helmet retention and on direct impact to the surface of the helmet, with a target of reducing the risk of skull fracture. The existing minimum safety standard does not examine oblique impacts that inflict rotational forces on the head and which can result in consequent concussion injury to the brain.

The primary objective of this International Roundtable is to influence the cycle helmet safety testing regime in the EU, so that safety standards are improved to include rotational impacts.

The secondary objective is to work towards a harmonised rating scheme for consumers at the point of sale.

The Road Safety Trust has adopted the rating system used by the Swedish insurance company Folksam, but different testing houses appear to be using different systems. Discussions at this Roundtable will explore how best to progress this for the benefit of consumers and retailers.

The Roundtable is being organised by the Road Safety Trust and delivered online via Zoom. It is for invited guests only.