# Bicycle helmets and the Snell standards. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 15, 2007, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-helmets-and-the-snell-standards/426489 "2007-11-15T04:18:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![R.P.McMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2007, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-helmets-and-the-snell-standards/426489/1 "2007-11-15T04:18:10Z")
After a couple of head injuries my doctor is possibly recommding that I no longer ride a bicycle. I don’t want to accept that option. With what little information I have been able to come up with it seems that the most stringent helmet stadards are from Snell. Yet I haven’t been able to find a bicycle helmet that is certified by Snell. It seems that their cerifications are mainly applied to motorcycle and auto racing helmets. Do any of you Dopers know if there is a bicycle helmet that is not a full head helmet that is certified by Snell? If not, what is the most protective helmet that is not full face that is available? ---
**Author:** ![Santo\_Rugger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Santo\_Rugger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santo_Rugger)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2007, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-helmets-and-the-snell-standards/426489/2 "2007-11-15T04:43:36Z")
This may be of interest to you. > [@](#): > > In the early to mid '90’s virtually every well-constructed bicycle helmet was able to meet the Snell B-1990 Bicycle Helmet standard. It specifies a 2 meter drop on the flat anvil and a 1.2 meter drop on the hemispheric anvil. Snell’s 1990 standard became the de facto minimum standard for the industry. Most bicycle stores would not stock a non-Snell helmet before 1995. At the end of 1994, however, Bell Sports, with more than half of the industry’s market share and very good brand recognition, announced that they would no longer use the Snell Foundation’s certification, relying on the ASTM standard and SEI certification instead. > > Snell revised its standard in 1995, and the B-1995 version took effect in September of 1995. It requires slightly more head coverage and has slightly higher drop heights (2.2 meters flat and 1.3 meters hemispheric) than the B-1990 standard. But Snell has permitted manufacturers to continue to use the B-1990 standard, accommodating those whose current production flunked the new standard. Snell’s N-94 multi-purpose standard provides more coverage and tests two spots with “conditioning” drops from one meter prior to the main two-meter drop. Still, in the bicycle field at the present time, a Snell helmet B95 helmet is not much different from a helmet meeting the ASTM standard and certified by SEI. Those with only Snell B-90 certification offer no significant performance difference. The main difference is in the certification procedure, pitting Snell’s system of follow-up testing of helmets procured from retail outlets in the field against SEI’s rigorous quality control program requirements. A lot of things can happen on a production line after a helmet model is certified. SEI’s approach tries to ensure that a sub-standard helmet never gets out the door, using primarily the manufacturer’s own quality control program, Snell instead buys helmets in the market and then informs the manufacturer if any do not meet their standard, potentially requiring a recall at some point. Although we do not know of any such Snell-initiated recalls of bicycle helmets over the years, this is designed to force the manufacturer to be careful about quality control. Either way, the consumer benefits, and depending on circumstances either program can work well. From here: [Our Pages on Helmet Standards and Testing – BHSI](http://www.helmets.org/standard.htm) ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2007, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-helmets-and-the-snell-standards/426489/3 "2007-11-15T12:55:44Z")
With the advent of the CPSC standard, most manufacturers don’t bother with Snell certification. I thought there was a Snell B95 helmet around, but I don’t remember where I saw it - I’ll do some more checking. Brian ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2007, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-helmets-and-the-snell-standards/426489/4 "2007-11-15T16:27:25Z")
IIRC, the CPSC standard is more or less equivalent to the B-90, and is required by law since 1999. Manufacturers probably see no need to meet the Snell standards, when the CPSC ones are already required, and there aren’t any market forces for higher ones. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2007, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-helmets-and-the-snell-standards/426489/5 "2007-11-15T17:04:31Z")
**Spartydog,** your doctor may be right. In the last few years, a lot has been learned about the brain damage that happens in repeated concussions. We used to think of concussions and head injuries as something you shake off. It’s more serious than that. Please do some checking around before you consider risking your brain again. ---
**Author:** ![Dante](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dante/32/9673_2.png) [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2007, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-helmets-and-the-snell-standards/426489/6 "2007-11-15T17:20:07Z")
Hmm, cognitive thought … bike riding… Cognitive thought … bike riding… Gosh, that is a toughy. Seriously, keep the brain, lose the bike. Brain am better! ---
**Author:** ![Busy\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@Busy\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Busy_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2007, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-helmets-and-the-snell-standards/426489/7 "2007-11-15T17:23:34Z")
Have you seen the lightweight full-face helmets that are being sold these days \*\*spartydog \*\*- [something like this](http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=17687) ? There’s a big market for them with the trails getting more technical. Given the choice I would not wear one myself, but if it was a case of wear it or don’t ride your bike at all then they don’t seem so bad. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2007, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-helmets-and-the-snell-standards/426489/8 "2007-11-15T18:46:42Z")
Depending where and when you ride, have you considered wearing a [skiing or snowboarding helmet](http://www.smf.org/s98.html)? They’re more robust than bike helmets, although there is a trade-off in ventilation and weight. My Giro ski helmet has removable ear pads and vent plugs, and I don’t see why it wouldn’t be suitable for biking, except maybe in very warm weather.