Difference Between Bike Helmet and Skateboard Helmet
Do you ever wonder how helmets came into existence?
Flashback to the 90s, as the number of cyclists increased, so did the injuries (head injuries in particular). And that’s when all the ideas of helmets evolved.
The same is the story with skateboarding.
Since both cycling and skateboarding involve a lot of falls and major and minor injuries, it is indeed very important to have on-hand safety gear!
But if you’re both a cycling and skateboarding kind of person, you must wonder if you could use the same helmet for both activities.
This thought must have crossed your mind at least once (if not twice or thrice). We mean why invest twice in something that serves the same purpose, ain’t it?
The question’s fair enough but the answer might disappoint you a bit.
But wait. Before you decide to skip reading further. Here’s a good deal.
How about we explore bike helmets and skateboard helmets individually, find out the differences between the two, and then conclude whether to use the same helmet for dual purposes or not?
Good deal? Let’s move on then!
Safety is the Priority!
We tend to not take safety seriously. That’s the prime reason why the number of fatal cases in accidents is increasing year by year.
While helmets can’t assure you 100% protection, they are designed to reduce the risks of fatality.
Here’s a stat to prove this statement: Helmets reduce the risk of death by 37% and the risk of head injury by 69%. Additionally, nearly 97% of cyclists who die in an accident are found to be not wearing a helmet meaning they invite trouble by themselves.
Also, the rest of the 3% die despite wearing a helmet.
Why? Well, that’s obvious!
Wearing a helmet and being concerned about safety is a great thing, but you must opt for the stuff that conforms to certain safety standards.
Helmet Standard
Do standards make a difference? YES, they do!
A group of experts in a particular field sets the standards. Since the helmets come into the market only if they meet standards and once they’ve been tested, hence standards are helpful to the consumers in deciding which product is best for them.
Different Helmet Standards in the US
CPSC
The Consumer Product Safety Commission, or CPSC, is a legal requirement for any helmet made for the US market. All helmets manufactured in the United States after 1999 must comply with the CPSC standard.
The helmets go through a long process of testing before it is launched in the market for sale. Below listed are some of the tests:
- Peripheral Vision Test: The helmet should not block the rider’s vision
- Positional Stability Test: The helmet should not come off when the rider falls
- Retention Strength Test: The helmet straps shouldn’t stretch too much to let the helmet come off in an accident
- Impact Attenuation Test: When the helmet hits a hard surface, it should significantly reduce the force applied to the rider’s head.
ASTM
American Society for Testing and Materials is one of the world’s most respected standard-setting organizations.
To meet ASTM standards, a bicycle helmet must withstand a 2-meter drop onto a flat iron block.
Snell Memorial Foundation
The Snell Memorial Foundation has a higher standard with a 2.2-meter drop.
ANSI
ANSI is an old standard and has been replaced by ASTM standard because the ASNI standards were too easy to meet.
Bike Helmets
Different types of bike helmets are made up of different materials like polystyrene and polycarbonate keeping in mind that they turn out to be light-weighted and can withstand major impacts (like a high-speed fall on the pavement, crashing, or a collision with a vehicle).
The bike helmets have hard shells and soft foam inside for better protection of the head and brain. The helmets need to be light so that they do not become troublesome to the riders.
However, some riders often prefer helmets with vents as vents cool the head.
In the US, the bike helmets standard is set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Skateboard Helmets
Some skateboard helmets contain softer foam meaning they aren’t appropriate for high-impact hits. The helmet however can resist multiple low impacts- the type that generally happens while skateboarding.
There are many forms of skating including in-line skating, rolling-skating, and so on. Some of these are very complex and hence can also put skaters at higher risks.
Noting that, most skate helmets today are dual certified and conform to the CPSC standard.
Many places have rules where wearing helmets while skating is made mandatory while others places don’t but we suggest you wear them every time you skate.
Bike Helmet vs Skateboard Helmet
The vents, visors, style, and head coverage are the most noticeable differences between helmets.
Let’s differentiate both bike helmets and skate helmets based on vents, visors, style, and head coverage.
Vents
Vents are holes in the helmet that keep the rider’s head cool, and many riders and skaters prefer a helmet with vents.
However, among the various types of bike helmets and skate helmets, the bike helmets have a significant number of vents. The reason for this is that riders who wear helmets generate more heat.
On the other hand, skate helmets are typically round and smooth in shape, with few vents.
Visors
A visor is a front piece of a helmet that acts as a shield to protect your face and eyes from dust and dirt.
Visors are usually transparent and movable allowing users to move the protective layer up or down as per their requirement.
While mountain bike helmets typically have visors, road bike helmets do not because road cyclists wear sunglasses to protect their eyes.
When it comes to skate helmets, the majority of them do not have visors, but some manufacturers include small, irremovable visors in their helmets.
Style
Style is an individual choice and is a considerable factor when it comes to choosing helmets.
People wanna look and feel good when they’re biking or skating. If you’re after looks then skate helmets definitely are the ones you need! Skate helmets look more youthful and street-looking (which is kinda dope) as compared to bike helmets.
We do not want to question your choice and preferences but would love to give you a kind suggestion: make safety your main priority when choosing a helmet.
Head Coverage
Riders indulging in some thrilling and exhausting cycling activities like mountain biking and BMX wear full-face coverage helmets because it provides more protection from wind, rain, bugs, and stones (and also protects your chin and face from accidents).
Full-face helmets, on the other hand, are not recommended for general use because they are heavier and less comfortable.
Skate helmets cover the lower part of the back of the head, whereas road bike helmets do not.
Can You Use a Bike Helmet for Skateboarding?
Skating is a cool sport, as long as you don’t fall and hurt yourself in the worst ways.
No doubt skaters fall and roll in every direction possible. While bike helmets tend to have no back coverage, the helmet can’t protect the back of the head and hence skaters shouldn’t use bike helmets while skating.
Can You Use a Skateboard Helmet for Biking?
Bikers usually do not fall off the back of the bike and since skate helmets have good coverage for the lower back of the head, therefore, you can use a skateboard helmet while cycling.
But you need to be careful about the helmet’s durability and if it meets all the safety standards!
Also, it’s cool and more youthful, so why not?
Tips to Buy Helmets
So, now if you’re seeking to buy yourself a helmet, then look for under mentioned points while purchasing one:
- The helmet should be light-weighted otherwise it will be troublesome while riding or skating
- The helmet should be durable enough to withstand minor falls
- The inner part of the helmet should be soft
- Make sure the helmet fits you. It should neither be too tight nor too loose. (Loose helmets can fall off during any clash or accident and keep bothering you. Tight helmets can be very uncomfortable and you may hurt your head)
- If the helmet has a visor then it must be easily movable
- The chin strap should be strong and easily adjustable, and many more.
- Now that we’ve come to the last section of this blog, it is entirely up to you what you choose.
In this blog, we learned about bike helmets vs skateboard helmets and tips before buying helmets.
Hope this blog was useful to you.
Use your brain while riding or skating. Wear helmets!
