Each year, in the United States, approximately 1100 persons die from injuries due to bicycle crashes and over 405,000 emergency department (ED) visits associated with bicycles and bicycle accessories.

With the increasing number of cyclists on the roads and trails, the United States has established stringent safety standards and quality inspection protocols to ensure the effectiveness and reliability of bicycle helmets.

Helmets provide a 63 to 88% reduction in the risk of head, brain and severe brain injury for all ages of bicyclists. Clearly, they’re effective, but the reliability of these protective devices isn’t inherent. Instead, safety is instilled into the products through adequate assurance.

This article provides an explain of the safety standards governing bicycle helmets in the US, with a particular focus on ASTM F1447, the importance of safety regulations, the testing methods used, and the quality inspection plan required to maintain compliance and consumer safety.

ASTM F1447 Standard Specification for Bicycle Helmets

Bicycle helmet means any headgear that either is marketed as, or implied through marketing or promotion to be, a device intended to provide protection from head injuries while riding a bicycle.

ASTM F1447 Standard Specification for Helmets Used in Recreational Bicycling or Roller Skating is the safety standard for bicycle helmets in the United States.

This specification covers the performance requirements and test procedures for helmets manufactured for use by recreational bicyclists or roller skaters to ensure helmets provide adequate protection against impact-related injuries.

The latest edition of this standard was approved on Nov. 1, 2024. This specification recognizes the desirability of lightweight construction and ventilation; however, it is a performance standard and is not intended to restrict design.

Helmets shall be impacted with anvils centered on or above the prescribed test line. The test anvils can be oriented in any horizontal, centered position. One each hot, cold, wet, and ambient helmet shall be impacted using the flat and hemispherical anvils only.

The curbstone anvil shall be used to impact one time each of the second set of four samples, one conditioned under each of the four conditioning environments. The peak acceleration of the impulse during the impact shall be measured.

The ambient helmet shall be subjected to the positional stability (roll-off) test, while the hot, cold, and wet helmets shall be subjected to the dynamic strength retention test.

Labeling and instruction regulations for bicycle helmets

Labeling Requirements for bicycle helmets

Each helmet shall be marked with durable labeling so that the following information is legible and easily visible to the user:

• Model designation.
• A warning to the user that no helmet can protect against all possible impacts and that serious injury or death could occur.
• A warning on both the helmet and the packaging that for maximum protection the helmet must be fitted and attached properly to the wearer's head in accordance with the manufacturer's fitting instructions.
• A warning to the user that the helmet may, after receiving an impact, be damaged to the point that it is no longer adequate to protect the head against further impacts, and that this damage may not be visible to the user.
• A warning to the user that the helmet can be damaged by contact with common substances, and that this damage may not be visible to the user.
• Signal word. The labels shall include the signal word “WARNING” at the beginning of each statement, unless two or more of the statements appear together on the same label. In that case, the signal word need only appear once, at the beginning of the warnings. The signal word “WARNING” shall be in all capital letters, bold print, and a type size equal to or greater than the other text on the label.

Instructions Requirements for Bicycle Helmets

Each helmet shall have fitting and positioning instructions, including a graphic representation of proper positioning.

Structure and Material Testing for Bicycle Helmets

Outer Shell Material

Helmets must use robust, lightweight, and impact-resistant materials such as EPS (expanded polystyrene) foam to absorb and disperse impact effectively. These materials should also exhibit resistance to wear and flame.

Liner Material

Liners should be soft, sweat-absorbent, and antibacterial, providing comfort while preventing bacterial growth. Liners must adjust properly to fit snugly with head movement.

Retention Systems

Retention systems must be made of high-strength, lightweight materials (e.g., a combination of metal and plastic) to ensure helmet stability and prevent unintentional detachment.

Safety Performance Testing for Bicycle Helmets

All bicycle helmets must be capable of meeting the peripheral vision, positional stability, dynamic strength of retention system, and impact-attenuation tests.

Peripheral vision test for bicycle helmets

All bicycle helmets shall allow unobstructed vision through a minimum of 105° to the left and right sides of the midsagittal plane. Ensures the helmet does not obstruct the wearer’s vision, allowing a clear view of the surroundings.

Positional stability Test for bicycle helmets

No bicycle helmet shall come off of the test headform when tested to make sure they do not come off when the rider falls.

Dynamic strength of retention system test for bicycle helmets

All bicycle helmets shall have a retention system that will remain intact without elongating more than 30 mm (1.2 in.) when tested to make sure the straps that hold a helmet on a rider’s head do not stretch enough to let the helmet come off in an accident.

Impact attenuation test for bicycle helmets

The impact attenuation is tested to make sure that the helmet significantly reduces the force to the rider’s head when the helmet hits a hard surface.

Environmental Adaptability Testing for Bicycle Helmets

High-Temperature Testing

Assesses performance changes after exposing the helmet to high temperatures, ensuring it retains impact absorption and stability.

Low-Temperature Testing

Similar to high-temperature testing but conducted in cold environments, ensuring the helmet does not become brittle or crack.

Moisture Testing

Checks if the helmet’s materials and retention system maintain their strength and functionality in humid conditions.

The Importance of safety Inspection for Bicycle Helmets

Safety inspections for bicycle helmets are not just a regulatory formality—they are essential for protecting lives, ensuring compliance, and maintaining quality standards. Regular inspections verify that helmets meet legal requirements, deliver consistent performance, and enhance consumer confidence.

Consumer Protection

Research indicates that properly certified bicycle helmets can reduce the risk of severe head injuries by approximately 70%. By conducting third-party quality inspection, can minimize the incidence of traumatic brain injuries and fatalities among cyclists.

Product Quality

Regular inspections catch design flaws, material inconsistencies, and manufacturing defects before products reach consumers. Quality control inspections ensure consistent product quality across production batches, minimizing the likelihood of defective items entering the market.

Market Access and Competitiveness

Helmets meeting US safety standards are more likely to be accepted in domestic and international markets. This compliance allows manufacturers to expand their reach and remain competitive in a safety-conscious consumer environment.

Quality Control Inspection for Bicycle Helmets

GIS Inspection(General Inspection Service) is a global provider in bicycle helmets quality control inspection services. For total quality assurance across safety, performance, and quality, GIS has the expertise to quickly bring bicycle helmets to global markets.

Our highly experienced team of inspectors is well-versed with the bicycle helmets quality control standards. Different types of inspections are performed at various stages of the bicycle helmets manufacturing process. These include:

Pre-Production Inspection(PPI)

GIS inspectors onsite will evaluate the first 10%-30% units produced to ensure compliance with necessary criteria, brand specifications, quality requirements which can firmly establish whether the manufacturer will be able to deliver on the promise to produce a quality product using the correct materials and manufacturing process, and orders shipping on time.

During Production Inspection (DUPRO)

During Production Check (DUPRO) is an essential preventative measure taken in the early stages of production, which can mitigate costly mistakes in the long run by highlighting any problems before too many defective items are produced and avoid effecting the shipping schedule.

Pre-Shipment Inspection(PSI)

Pre-shipment inspection is reliable by most of the buys. PSI inspections act as a final check to evaluate product quality, packaging, product labeling and carton markings and ensure that items are correctly packed and fit for their intended use. The FRI takes place at the 100% production completed with a minimum of 80% of goods packed and seated in shipping cartons for verification of your purchase specifications.

Loading Supervision (LS)

The final but crucial step in the quality control process is properly preparing batches for shipping to destination markets. Loading Supervision (LS) is usually performed at the factory, forwarders warehouse, or port to verify count, confirm load, and seal the container. 

Check a Sample Report for Bicycle Helmets Inspection!

Conclusion

Compliance with ASTM F1447-24 is essential for manufacturers and retailers of bicycle helmets to ensure product safety and customer satisfaction. Failure to meet the standards can result in legal implications and damage to a company’s reputation.

Before any helmet can be placed onto the market, its design and durability must be evaluated to ensure conformity with relevant safety standards and customer performance requirements.

GIS Inspection(General Inspection Service) is an international third-party quality control inspection company in China. GIS provides provide comprehensive safety and quality assurance services to help you ensure compliance with legislation enforced in multiple global markets. We have set up an inspection network covering China, Vietnam,  Malaysia, India.

GIS only employs full-time inspectors. Our highly trained and experienced bike helmets inspectors are product experts who receive regular training in their field of specialization.

Wer offer Pre-Production Inspection(PPI), During Production Inspection (DUPRO) or  bike helmets Full Inspection services, and before delivery inspection to assess bike helmets products Pre-shipment Inspection(PPI).

GIS product inspection services ensure that your products match your desired specifications. Contact our bike helmets quality assurance experts to customize your inspection requirements.

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