Helmet for class 2 Ebike

[SLIMJ]

I just started riding an Aventon Pace 500.2. It is a class 2 Ebike (but can be made class 3 using the Aventon app). I plan to leave it as class 2, because I have no interest in riding over 20 mph. The helmet that I use now is a GIRO Register MIPS.

Should I upgrade to an Ebike helmet?. If I go for a new helmet, can anyone make a recommendation? I only ride on bike trails, during the day, using my biking sunglasses. So, I don't need any lights or want a built in sun visor.

Any help or advise would be appreciated.

I decided to go with a Giro Camden MIPS helmet, and unsure about what size to order. My head measures about 23" , just about 59cm. The medium is sized for 55-59, the large 59-63.

What size would you recommend? Should I size up or down?

 

[Atavar]

The reasons for upgrade would be mainly if your current helmet is damaged or uncomfortable.
If you actually look at helmet ratings they really only protect you if you fall off the bike while standing still. They are not actually rated to protect you from an impact at speed.
I just got a new helmet because I wanted one that fit better, and the new one matches the day glo green color of my bike.
The new one also has a blinking back light, which I like.

 

[Smaug]

The reasons for upgrade would be mainly if your current helmet is damaged or uncomfortable.

That's not true; there could be a lot of possible reasons:

• Upgrading to one with MIPs is another possible reason.
• Or one that complies with the eBike helmet standard NTA 8776:
  
  
• Or one that has more features, such as a chin bar, visor or built-in lighting.

If you actually look at helmet ratings they really only protect you if you fall off the bike while standing still. They are not actually rated to protect you from an impact at speed.

There are several different helmet standards and the aforementioned one does take speed into account, (up to 28 mph / 45 kph) rather than just the head hitting the ground from bike height.

Further reading:
https://helmets.org/standard.htmhttps://leva-eu.com/dutch-standard-for-helmets-for-fast-e-bikes-published/
The helmet I just got seems like a good one: It's certified to NTA 8776, has a visor and multi-mode lighting:

• All lights constant on
• All lights slow-flashing
• All lights triple-flashing
• Turn signals via Bluetooth remote that mounts to handlebar

Link: https://ridelumos.com/products/lumos-ultra-e-bike?variant=43379697910019

The only shortcomings I see are that:

1. its visor design precludes the use of a helmet- or glasses-mounted mirror; the mirror would have to be mounted to one's bike instead, and
2. It has no chin bar, so you're more likely to need jaw surgery after a crash than if you had chosen a downhill mountain bike type helmet. I guess one has to balance that against the superior visibility this helmet affords. (maybe we're less likely to crash in the first place because of the built-in lighting?)

It was expensive, but my head is worth it.

 

[Atavar]

NTA8776 is a private Dutch standard. The public can’t even look up the testing or performance parameters.

 

[Atavar]

The Lumos looks like a great helmet:

 

[Smaug]

NTA8776 is a private Dutch standard. The public can’t even look up the testing or performance parameters.

I think we could, we may just have to buy a copy of the standard, as it's copyrighted. (I'm a regulatory engineer by day, and this is usually how it works)

In my research, I saw a link to where we could allegedly register an account somewhere and then download a free copy of the standard, but the link was bad. I found the website, which is in Dutch, and the pull-down to translate it to English doesn't work very well; only translates parts of the site. If you're patient, you can probably find a way to get the standard here, once you register an account.

https://connect.nen.nl/Standard/Detail/3331945?compId=0&collectionId=0

 

[Atavar]

I think we could, we may just have to buy a copy of the standard, as it's copyrighted. (I'm a regulatory engineer by day, and this is usually how it works)

In my research, I saw a link to where we could allegedly register an account somewhere and then download a free copy of the standard, but the link was bad. I found the website, which is in Dutch, and the pull-down to translate it to English doesn't work very well; only translates parts of the site. If you're patient, you can probably find a way to get the standard here, once you register an account.

https://connect.nen.nl/Standard/Detail/3331945?compId=0&collectionId=0

If it’s not free and open information it’s worthless.

“yeah, our standard is better and protects you at higher speeds - just believe us. We won’t tell you how much better or what higher speeds by you can trust us, it just does. We won’t even tell you how it is tested or what the standards are, but you should make rules and laws based on this “

 

[addertooth]

As I recall, the Dutch have strict speed limits on their eBikes. They would be the one of the last countries to develop a meaningful high speed standard. Most their bikes don't even go USA class 2 speeds.

I think my full-face helmet I just got is rated based upon the more common US standard of CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) and the New Zealand standard of AS/NZS 206.3:2008. Neither of these are terribly rigorous standards as far as I am aware.

CPSC standards

 

[Atavar]

I like the idea of a full face helmet. Dying doesn’t scare me but road rash sucks.

 

[Smaug]

As I recall, the Dutch have strict speed limits on their eBikes. They would be the one of the last countries to develop a meaningful high speed standard. Most their bikes don't even go USA class 2 speeds.

I think my full-face helmet I just got is rated based upon the more common US standard of CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) and the New Zealand standard of AS/NZS 206.3:2008. Neither of these are terribly rigorous standards as far as I am aware.

CPSC standards

They have very commonsense laws in the Netherlands. Basically:

• eBikes are limited to 25 kph (15.5 mph) and can go anywhere a bike can go. No license required.
• Faster eBikes are classified as Speed Pedelecs, can go 45 kph (28 mph), and are subject to the same regulations as mopeds. (must be 16, need a moped license and plate, etc.) There are different speed limits depending on where one is riding. I bet they're posted limits too. (see link below for details) It seems like they classify and limit Speed Pedelecs solely by speed and not by specification.

This is the same as the rest of Europe.

Their problem is just that they allowed an influx of cheap Chinese fat tire eBikes that weren't limited to eBike levels, and now they're having to crack down. (as opposed to turning a blind eye, as American authorities are doing until the body count rises to an unacceptable level.

Source: https://www.government.nl/topics/bicycles/safe-cycling