May - June 2006

Bicycle Helmet Standards

“Snell” refers to bike helmet standards set by the Snell Foundation, founded in 1957. The organization was named after race car driver Peter Snell, who died in an auto accident wearing a poorly designed helmet. Snell has what is considered the toughest standards for helmets, especially for bicycling.

“ANSI” refers to the American National Standards Institute. In 1984, it set standards that adhere to manufacturing bicycle helmets. ANSI standards were replaced by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), until 1995. There are no ANSI-standard helmets today.

Current helmet standards are set by the Consumer Protection Safety Commission (CPSC), an independent Federal regulatory agency. CPSC standards for bike helmets replaced ASTM.

Please wear a CPSC or Snell bicycle-specific helmet on 5BBC rides. Bike helmets are to be replaced: a) when damaged in an accident; b) after 3-5 years, when helmets lose impact effectiveness.

For more information, visit the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, www.bhsi.org.

More tips to improve bicycle safety

People riding bikes: GIVE THE DOOR FOUR– stay four feet from the side of a car, so you’ll stay a safe distance from a possible open door.

People driving cars: LEAN LEFT AND LOOK– BEFORE YOU LEAVE YOUR CAR—watch behind you before you open your door to an oncoming cyclist. Nobody intends to be involved in an accident.