City bike helmet

Compliance with safety standards for bicycle helmets

A bicycle helmet will always be a product whose primary objective is to protect the head of the person wearing it. The approval of bicycle helmets is a prerequisite for placing a helmet on the market. Choose a helmet that meets the safety standards in force in your country or region.

In general, approved bicycle helmets must meet European (CE), American (CPSC) or Australian (AS/NZS) safety standards. Bike helmets can also vary depending on the type of cycling, such as road cycling, mountain biking or urban cycling.

The case of electric bicycle helmets

Our helmets are compatible with electric bikes whose speed is limited to 25km/h. Please note that above this speed (the case of the so-called Speed-Bike whose speed goes up to 45km/h) you must wear a helmet and moped gloves.

Good protection means choosing the right size bicycle helmet for you

When buying a bicycle helmet, it is important to pay attention to certain points to ensure adequate protection in case of an accident. First, make sure the helmet is the right size for your head. Bike helmets come in different sizes and can be adjusted with straps and pads or foam.

It is recommended that you replace your bicycle helmet every 3 to 5 years, but also after an accident or any violent shock because even if nothing is visible to the naked eye the helmet may have suffered internal damage.

In an accident, the helmet is designed to absorb the impact and protect the cyclist's head. This impact absorption can cause cracks and deformations inside the helmet, even if the outer shell appears intact.

If the helmet has been damaged in an accident, its protective properties may be impaired. It may also no longer fit the rider's head correctly, which may compromise its ability to protect the head in the event of a future accident.

Accessories for your city bike helmet that are halfway between safety and style

Each of our helmets offers customisation possibilities, which often are advantages for your safety.

The cap or visor (link) compatible with our PLIXI FIT folding bicycle helmet is available in a variety of colours, allowing you to match it to your daily wardrobe.

But beyond the aesthetic aspect, our cap allows you to be much less disturbed by the rain, especially if you wear glasses. This is also true when the sun comes into your field of vision and dazzles you. In both cases it can be dangerous, especially in the city where there is a lot of traffic.

Retro-reflective stickers add a touch of personality to your bike helmet and increase your visibility when you are in the beam of light.

Highlight your safety on your urban bike helmet

We recommend that you install lighting on your urban bicycle helmet to maximise your visibility. Whether you are riding in the city or in a suburban area it is important to be seen by all road users.

For more information on bicycle lighting we invite you to discover our range of bicycle lights, indicators and brake alarms.

Anatomy of a bicycle helmet

A typical city bike helmet has several components that work together to protect the rider's head and face in the event of a fall or impact.

Outer shell: This is the rigid outer part of the helmet that is designed to absorb and distribute the forces of impact during a fall.

Padding layer: This is the layer of foam inside the helmet that provides extra comfort and protection. It can be made of expanded polystyrene (EPS) or polyurethane foam (PU).

Fastening system: This is the adjustable strap mechanism that secures the helmet to the rider's head. It ensures a secure and comfortable fit.

Ventilation system: This is the series of ventilation holes or openings at the front and back of the helmet that allow air to circulate. This ventilation helps to keep the rider's head cool while riding. In the case of city bike helmets the ventilation system is less crucial compared to a sport bike helmet where the time of use per ride is much longer and the efforts, a priori, more intense. (Except for those who have to climb the Croix-Rousse in Lyon or the Butte Montmartre in Paris!)

Ride in style with your bike helmet

Our city bike helmets are available in several colours and can be enriched with accessories (visors and covers to protect you from the sun and the rain, classic or original reflective stickers to stick on your bike helmet...) in order to personalise your helmet while asserting your personality without ever compromising your safety - quite the contrary!

You are free to opt for a discreet aesthetic in search of elegance to coordinate your helmet with the colour of your city bike or to seek maximum visibility with vibrant colours to maximise your safety during your urban travels.

What women want from a bicycle helmet

Women cyclists may have specific selection criteria when it comes to choosing a cycling helmet. Firstly, comfort is often a priority, with helmets offering soft padding and a precise fit to avoid pressure points.

The ventilation provided by the vents offers more efficient airflow. This is particularly important in hot weather.

Women may also be attracted to helmets with feminine colours and patterns, although safety is always the top priority.

Our helmet inserts allow for a precise adjustment of the helmet to each woman's body shape and actively contribute to the comfort of our urban bike helmets.

Our foldable bicycle helmets are also appreciated by the female population who can easily "disappear" these helmets in the bottom of a bag during a shopping trip!

Overade specialises in the design of urban bicycle helmets

Overade is specialised in the design of urban bicycle helmets. We master the specificities of these helmets intended to be used in the city.

We pay particular attention to the comfort, safety and visibility of our products, especially through our market-leading Oxi lighting and warning systems.

In addition to our removable bike helmet lights we offer a wide range of reflective strips and stickers that passively improve your visibility in urban traffic when it is dark or not bright enough to be easily seen in heavy traffic conditions.

Our urban cycling helmets are designed to offer a balance of style, comfort and safety to meet the specific needs of urban cyclists.

Safety on a bicycle

Safety while cycling in the city is a major concern for cyclists, regardless of their level of experience.

First and foremost, make sure your bike is in perfect working order and complies with road traffic regulations. Carefully check your brakes, derailleur, the functioning of your safety lights, the presence of reflectors, as well as the condition of your tires. Wearing reflective clothing is also a good idea.

Once on your bike, it is important to respect the rules of the road, especially the M12 signs (specific signs allowing cyclists to cross an intersection under certain conditions) present in large cities or urban areas; they do not give you full priority over cars!

It is better to be predictable to the motorized vehicles with whom you share the road. Signal your lane changes and direction changes.

Be vigilant. The road can hold surprises such as potholes, sewer grates, or poorly marked construction sites.

Injuries from bumps and falls on bicycles

Despite all the precautions that can be taken, the balancing act of cycling can lead to falls with the potential to cause injuries.

Injuries from falls from bicycles or collisions with other road users are unfortunately common and can vary in severity. The most common injuries include abrasions and bruises, scrapes and bruises, fractures of the wrists, ribs or lower limbs.

In the most serious cases, head injuries can occur. In France, the potential seriousness of head impacts has led the legislator to make it compulsory for children under 12 to wear a helmet since 22 March 2017. This obligation applies to children who ride their own bike or who are carried as passengers on a bike (*1)

As regularly published scientific studies (*2) show, a bicycle helmet effectively protects the wearer. Although there is currently no obligation for adults in France to wear a bicycle helmet, it is recommended to reduce the risk of serious injury in the event of an accident.

References for helmet use to improve cycling safety

0)

According to an Ipsos survey conducted in 2018 for the French Federation of Bicycle Users (FUB), around 54% of cyclists said they wear a helmet on a regular or occasional basis. This survey also showed that helmet use was more common among cyclists who cycle regularly or for sport, and less common among occasional cyclists.

However, it should be noted that these data are not representative of all cyclists in France, as the survey was carried out among a specific sample of respondents.

In addition, it is important to note that helmet wearing rates vary considerably between regions, types of cycling and ages of cyclists. Road safety authorities and organisations continue to promote helmet use for cyclists of all ages, as helmets have been shown to significantly reduce the risk of head injury in the event of a crash.

1)

The obligation to wear helmets for children on bicycles was introduced as part of the law n° 2016-1547 of 18 November 2016 on the modernisation of justice in the 21st century. This measure aims to improve the safety of children who cycle, particularly on roads where traffic can be heavy and the risk of accidents is higher.

2)

• Attewell RG, Glase K, McFadden M. Bicycle helmet efficacy: a meta-analysis. Accid Anal Prev. 2001;33(3):345-352. doi:10.1016/s0001-4575(00)00048-7
This meta-analysis examined data from 16 studies to determine the effectiveness of bicycle helmets. The results showed that wearing a helmet significantly reduced the risk of head and brain injuries in the event of a crash.

• Elvik R. Publication bias and time-trend bias in meta-analysis of bicycle helmet efficacy: A re-analysis of Attewell, Glase and McFadden, 2001. Accid Anal Prev. 2011;43(3):1245-1251. doi:10.1016/j.aap.2010.12.010
This study examined data from the same meta-analysis mentioned above, but used statistical techniques to correct for possible bias in the data. The results showed that wearing a bicycle helmet was effective in reducing the risk of head and brain injuries in the event of a crash.

• Olivier J, Creighton P. Bicycle injuries and helmet use: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Epidemiol. 2014;43(2):557-568. doi:10.1093/ije/dyt262
This meta-analysis examined data from 40 studies to assess the effectiveness of bicycle helmets in preventing head injuries in crashes. The results showed that helmet use was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of head and brain injuries.