Bike Helmet or Skate Helmet? Does It Matter? 丨KBO Bike

Being a safety-conscious person is a vital part of operating any machine. An electric bike travels at quite a reasonable speed that could cause damage to the human body if a collision occurs.  We all know that helmets save lives, but did you realize that wearing one reduces your chances of suffering a traumatic brain injury by about 51% when you hit the ground? Helmets have decreased the mortality risk by 44%. However, whether or not the helmet saves your life is dependent on whether or not you wear the correct one for the proper activity.

 

Falls can occur when biking or skating. The head requires protection to keep it safe, but are skateboard helmets and bicycle helmets the same?

The selection between skate helmets and bike helmets should hinge on safety, but the options after that are limitless. Having a suitable Helmet that fits your riding type can not be over-emphasized.

In this article, we will be discussing all you need to know about the differences between bike helmets and skate helmets, from design aspects to functionality. We will also go through how to determine when it is time to buy a new one.

The Differences Between Bike Helmets and Skate Helmets

There are numerous distinctions between bike helmets and skate helmets. The most significant difference is that skate helmets can survive several hits, but bicycle helmets resist just one. That is because bicycle helmets include a foam that ought to collapse upon impact.

Helmet safety requirements vary depending on the sport. Some standards are regulated by the government, such as bicycle helmets, while others are just consensual guidelines that manufacturers should generally follow.

Labels on the inside of the helmets show whether or not they meet safety requirements. Some general recommendations are given below.

Bike Helmets:

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in the United States establishes bike helmet safety guidelines.

Bike helmets can withstand a single collision, such as a high-speed fall on the ground or perhaps a collision with a car. The foam in the helmet compacts as a result of such an impact.

After a major accident, a bike helmet must be disposed of since the impact changes the helmet.

Single-hit helmets can withstand minor impacts; they do not have to be disposed of just because you strike a branch.

Single impact; put in place to protect your head by squeezing the foam when it gets hit.

They are more aerodynamic.

It has improved ventilation.

Skate Helmets:

Some skate helmets only fulfill the ASTM F1492 standard, indicating that they include softer foam.

This style of helmet is not designed for high-impact hits, but rather for many mild impacts, which are common while skating.

When riding a bike this distinct requirement implies that you should not wear a single-certified—for example, just ASTM—skate helmet.

Skate helmets have a thicker outer shell that is designed to resist repeated hits.
Riders tend to tumble backward, therefore cover the rear of the head.

More fashionable in general.
Aside from these distinctions, there are many overlaps. Both helmets are frequently made of the same materials, have detachable liners, and are adjustable in comparable ways. 

 

The Difference Between a Bike Helmet and a Skate Helmet in Head Coverage

The form of the helmet is one of the most noticeable differences. Bike helmets, you may assume, are more streamlined. While this is theoretically correct, research demonstrates that it has minimal influence in non-racial settings.

Is there a practical rationale for the differing shapes of skate and bike helmets?

There most certainly is. Road bike helmets generally do not protect the bottom back of the head. That is because motorcyclists seldom fall backward off their bikes. During a collision, a motorcyclist is considerably more likely to roll forward due to momentum than to tumble backward.

Style Distinctions: Bike Helmets vs. Skate Helmets

While safety should be your top consideration when choosing a helmet, style is also essential. Learn more about how to ride bikes safety here.I completely understand why people want to look and feel beautiful when riding bikes or skating. The helmet becomes a part of your style. 

If appearance is important to you, note that skate-style helmets are mostly regarded to seem younger and ‘street’ looking. Individuals that favor this style of the helmet are often persons like:

• Casual cyclists
• Mountain Bikers
• Commuters

Skate helmets may also be more flexible. They may also be used for snowboarding and in-line skating, for example. The first thing you should always ask is, "Do they offer sufficient protection for the activities I want to engage in?"

Why is Ventilation Essential While Selecting A Helmet?

Vents are an important design component of bike helmets since they help to keep the head cool and aired. The vents are meant to keep the air moving because cyclists ride at a higher pace. This is why, to cooperate with the wind, bike helmets include vents in the front and out the rear.

Skate helmets feature vents as well, but they are generally smaller and not designed to allow as much air to flow through them.

Helmets, regardless of ventilation, might become heated when you wear them for an extended period. The foam liner is to blame for this. The foam absorbs heat, but with a well-ventilated structure, most of this heat should escape.

Can You Ride a Bike While Wearing a Skateboard Helmet?

Consider yourself to be someone who enjoys both skating and riding. You may buy a variety of helmets that have been certified by the manufacturer to satisfy both the ASTM F1492 helmet standard for skateboards and the CPSC standard for bicycles.

Why Is Certification Important In The World of Helmet?

Certifications are crucial since they can help you avoid a skull fracture or a catastrophic brain injury. The good news is that all bicycle helmets made after 1999 must comply with the Consumer Product Safety Commission standard.

An approved helmet will not prevent a concussion, but it will offer you the best chance of avoiding a more serious head injury.

When a helmet is built for both skating and cycling, it is generally approved as a multi-impact helmet. Nonetheless, it's often a good idea to double-check this when buying safety gear.

Why Is It Time to Replace Your Helmet?

Because a helmet is crucial in guarding your head, it is a good idea to learn if you should change it. If you are in a high-impact incident. Regardless of whether you have a bike, skate, or multi-purpose helmet, you will have to replace your helmet.

Sometimes the harm is not visible. For example, if you fall off your bike and your helmet strikes the ground, you could just see scratches. However, the inner parts of the helmet may be damaged.

Bike helmets, in particular, are not intended to fracture upon contact, but rather to compress. The foam cannot be compressed again after it has been compressed. This is why they are referred to as one-time use.

The easiest way to determine whether or not you need to replace your helmet is to inspect it regularly. Among the warning signals to look for are:

• Outer shell scrapes, blemishes, or cracks
• Cracks or indications of age on the inner shell
• Straps or buckles that do not operate properly
• Mechanism for adjusting

If your helmet exhibits any of these characteristics, it is time to replace it. Similarly, if the foam on the inside of your helmet begins to disintegrate, it's time to replace it. A decent rule of thumb is to replace a commonly worn helmet every three years, regardless of whether it has been in an accident or not.

The justification for changing the helmet after three years is based on the production date rather than the purchase date. Modern helmets often include the production date printed on the inner of the helmet, allowing you to keep track of when it is time to replace your helmet.

However, whether you should replace your helmet is a bit more complicated to deserve a straightforward answer. There are more factors to consider, such as:

• How frequently do you use it?
• Did you properly store it when you were not using it?
• Is it still a good fit?

If your helmet was not properly stored at any point in time, it may have suffered damage. For example, if your helmet was stuck under some large crates for a lengthy period, the inside foam might get over-stressed. In the case of an accident, the foam will no longer do its function, which is why it's critical to preserve your helmet correctly while not in use.

The most vital facet of wearing protective gear is to wear the correct type and to wear it correctly. Bikers go quicker and are more likely to collide with the front or top of their heads. Skaters are prone to the risk of injuring the back of their heads in a fall. Each helmet is built with distinct purposes in mind to provide the best possible protection for the user. When going on a bike or skating excursion, make sure you get the proper helmet! In the case of an accident, this will help you prevent needless medical expenses in the future.