HelmetDenmark

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143. Helmet

A helmet is protective headgear designed to reduce the risk and severity of head injuries during a collision or fall. Different types of helmets are designed for motorcycles, mopeds, bicycles and other activities and may be subject to specific safety standards.

Whether wearing a helmet is compulsory depends on the country, vehicle category, rider and sometimes age. A helmet should be suitable for its intended use, correctly fitted and securely worn so that it can provide the protection for which it was designed.

Helmet
Person wearing a motorcycle helmet.
Wikimedia.org • Stefania Anghelea • CC BY-SA
What is a helmet?

A helmet is protective headgear designed to reduce the risk and severity of head injury if a rider falls or is involved in a collision.

Who should wear a helmet?

Helmet requirements depend on the vehicle and local traffic law. Motorcyclists and moped riders commonly have compulsory helmet requirements, while bicycle rules vary between countries.

Is a motorcycle helmet the same as a bicycle helmet?

No. Motorcycle and bicycle helmets are designed and tested for different conditions and are subject to different safety standards. Use a helmet approved for the type of vehicle concerned.

Should a passenger also wear a helmet?

Yes, where required. Passengers on motorcycles, mopeds and certain other vehicles are generally exposed to the same head-injury risks as the rider and may be subject to the same helmet requirement.

How should a helmet fit?

A helmet should fit securely and comfortably without excessive movement. It should be worn and fastened according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Can you use a damaged helmet?

A helmet that has suffered a significant impact or has visible structural damage may no longer provide its intended protection and should normally be inspected or replaced.

Can any helmet be used on a motorcycle?

No. Where motorcycle helmets are regulated, the helmet must comply with the applicable approval or safety standard. A recreational or ordinary bicycle helmet is generally not an acceptable substitute.

Are bicycle helmets compulsory everywhere?

No. Some countries require helmets for all cyclists, others only for particular age groups or types of bicycle, and some recommend them without making them compulsory.

Do speed pedelecs require a special helmet?

They may. Because speed pedelecs can travel considerably faster than ordinary bicycles, some countries require an approved moped helmet or a bicycle helmet satisfying additional requirements.

Does wearing a helmet replace safe riding?

No. A helmet provides additional protection but does not replace safe speed, observation, correct road position, appropriate clothing or compliance with traffic rules.

1 Denmark 2 Motorway 3 Built-up area 4 Speed limit 5 Footpath 6 Bike path 7 Pedestrian zone 8 Bus stop 9 Give way 10 Roundabout 11 Railway crossing 12 Crossing animals 13 Wrong-way driving 14 Selective barriers 15 Traffic lights 16 Pedestrian lights 17 Road markings 18 Driving licence 19 Traffic mirror 20 International border 21 Cycling route 22 Parking 23 No parking 24 No stopping 25 Parallel parking 26 Parking meter 27 Parking disc 28 Disabled parking 29 Traffic management 30 Reversing 31 Emergency exit 32 Licence plate 33 Charging station 34 Dangers 35 Cyclist 36 Bus 37 Police 38 Ambulance 39 European emission standard 40 Pothole 41 Path 42 Particulates 43 Air pollution 44 Rush hour 45 Road code 46 Street gutter 47 Cargo bike 48 Forestry vehicle 49 Construction vehicle 50 Semi-trailer truck 51 Trolleybus 52 Speed pedelec 53 Delivery vehicle 54 Idling 55 Tow truck 56 Four-wheel drive 57 No vehicles 58 Bicycle 59 Motorcycle equipment 60 Tram 61 Rail track 62 Caravan 63 Trailer 64 Tow hitch 65 Fire truck 66 Siren 67 Convoy 68 Emergency vehicle lighting 69 Agricultural machinery 70 Electric bicycle 71 Electric vehicle 72 Pedelec 73 Quadricycle 74 Microcar 75 All-terrain vehicle 76 Van 77 Recreational vehicle 78 Scooter 79 Trikke 80 Personal mobility device 81 Skateboard 82 Segway 83 Kick scooter 84 Roller skates 85 Mailman 86 Hitchhiker 87 Toddler 88 Child 89 Disability 90 Commercial vehicle 91 Motorail 92 Garbage truck 93 Parking violation 94 km/h 95 mph 96 Speedometer 97 National speed 98 Ride height 99 Dirt road 100 Driving ... 101 Start-stop system 102 Manual transmission 103 Automatic transmission 104 Throttle 105 Tachometer 106 Steering wheel 107 Power steering 108 Visual scanning 109 Mirror 110 Fuel 111 Fuel gauge 112 Petrol 113 Diesel 114 Diesel exhaust fluid 115 Car insurance 116 First aid kit 117 Fire extinguisher 118 High-visibility clothing 119 First aid 120 Concrete step barrier 121 Barriers 122 Vehicle lights 123 Street lights 124 Dipped beam 125 High beam 126 Fog lights 127 Front fog lights 128 Rear fog lights 129 Side lights 130 Turn signals 131 Hazard lights 132 Dashboard lights 133 Bicycle lighting 134 Bicycle bell 135 Headlight flashing 136 Seat belt 137 Child restraints 138 Head restraints 139 Airbag 140 ABS 141 Esp 142 Traction control system 143 Helmet 144 Bicycle helmet 145 Hands-free 146 Smartphone 147 GPS 148 Brake 149 Handbrake 150 Brake fluid 151 Tyres 152 Tyre code 153 Winter tyres 154 Tyre pressure 155 Snow chains 156 Bicycle tyre 157 Continuous track 158 Gross Vehicle Weight 159 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 160 Cargo 161 Car body 162 Trunk 163 Roof rack 164 Windscreen 165 Emergency hammer 166 Car battery 167 Traction battery 168 Suspension 169 Shock absorber 170 Spring 171 Exhaust 172 Exhaust gas 173 Soot 174 Catalytic converter 175 Engine 176 Petrol engine 177 Diesel engine 178 Electric motor 179 Timing belt 180 Glow plug 181 Cylinder 182 Engine oil 183 Coolant 184 Maintenance 185 Spare tyre 186 Flat tyre 187 Jack 188 Vehicle inspection 189 Key 190 Dashboard 191 Windscreen wiper 192 Doors 193 Glovebox 194 Visibility 195 Rain 196 Fog 197 Hail 198 Sunlight 199 Sunglasses 200 Salt 201 Air conditioning 202 Hydroplaning 203 Distraction 204 Emotions 205 Road rage 206 Health 207 Epilepsy 208 Night blindness 209 Visual impairment 210 Fatigue 211 Defects 212 Traffic violation 213 Alcohol 214 Alcohol control 215 Ignition interlock device 216 Breath test 217 Breath analysis 218 Blood alcohol content 219 Blood test 220 Saliva test 221 Drugs 222 Medication 223 Penalties 224 Speeding 225 Smoking 226 Traffic enforcement camera 227 Accident 228 Injuries 229 Nosebleed 230 Damage 231 Breakdown 232 Warning triangle 233 Traffic rules 234 Driving school 235 Traffic signs