While all helmets need to meet minimum safety standards, not all offer the same level of impact protection.
If you are looking to purchase a helmet, you may check out the design, what features it has, and how much it costs, but the Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme (SHARP) offers independent advice on how much protection it could offer if you’re involved in a collision.
The initiative was launched by the Department for Transport (DfT) in 2007 after research that revealed real differences in the safety performance of motorcycle helmets available.
In Wales, there were 536 motorcyclist casualties reported by the police in 2023, representing 12% of all casualties. Of these casualties, 268 were killed or seriously injured and 268 were slightly injured. As motorcyclists, what we wear is our only protection against injury if we are unfortunate to be involved in a collision.
TESTING
While it is not possible for all available helmets on the market to be tested, a mixture of popular helmets at different price points are tested. The testing process is extensive, with SHARP performing 32 tests on a minimum of 7 sample helmets across a range of sizes. To help consumers identify which helmets are likely to provide the highest level of protection, they are given a star rating; 5‐stars is the highest and 1‐star the lowest.
To find out more about the testing process and to find out the star rating of your current helmet, or one that you are looking to purchase, visit the SHARP website here.
CLEANING
Daily: Even though it's a pain, clean your helmet each day - especially your visor. If flies or dirt get on it your vision will be seriously reduced next time you ride. Remember: if your visor becomes scratched, replace it immediately.
Weekly: Each week clean the vents and intakes - if these clog up with dirt, they won't be anywhere near as effective.
Monthly: If your helmet has removable linings or cheek pads it's worth cleaning these each month, but check the manufacturers guidelines first as some may have certain washing instructions.
FITTING
Ok, so the helmet you want may look awesome but it's useless if it doesn't fit you properly.
It is essential that you wear a helmet that fits correctly as it could massively increase your chances of surviving a collision. Even the highest rated helmet won’t be able to protect you if it has not remained on your head at the point of impact.
Take a look at the guide below for more detail: