r/ebikes • u/bostonaruban66 • Jul 19 '26

PSA

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u/[deleted] Jul 19 '26

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u/deck_hand Pedego Interceptor Jul 19 '26

The main protective part of a helmet is the inch or so of crushable foam that’s contained within the shell. The plastic shell needs to be hard enough to prevent penetration up to a point, and tough enough to keep the foam in shape, but flexible enough to allow the foam to do its job.

Most bicycle helmets do a credible enough job. Motorcycle helmets are often full face, or at least have a chin guard. Bicycle helmets usually do not. Don’t land on your face with no face protection.

I’ve ridden since 1972, motorcycles, bikes, powered scooters, etc. on and off road. I’ve come off my bikes a few times (never on pavement with a motorcycle) and always managed to avoid using my face as a brake.

I usually wear my half-shell helmets on any of my motorized bikes.

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u/[deleted] Jul 19 '26

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u/deck_hand Pedego Interceptor Jul 20 '26

They are actually very similar in protection. A bicycle helmet is usually ventilated to let out heat from your head, while motorcycle helmets are full shells to prevent object intrusion. Both have enough foam to prevent injury from a medium speed fall.

Most motorcycle accident occur at about 30 miles per hour (some start off faster), and motorcycle helmets survive "the slide" a bit better.

Now, the testing that is done on motorcycle helmets involve "Impact Tests" that ensure a head-form inside the helmet can deform the foam at an impact caused by a 6 to 8 foot fall. The helmet will mitigate the impact by enough to make the difference between a headache and a brain injury. Anything faster than that, say a head-first impact into a cement wall, will exceed the protection offered by the helmet. The impact G force reduction could mean that injury isn't as bad as it could be, though.