Certified bike and scooter helmets: how to read the label, fit it and replace it on time

Which helmet suits your ride and speed, and the fit checks that keep it in place

Safety Behind the Wheel Foundationdrivewithcare.org

Last reviewed: October 9, 2026

For every driver17 min read

Key takeaways from Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation

A bike helmet has one job. It soaks up the force of a blow to your head in a collision or fall.
Any helmet sold in the U.S. for bike riding must meet a federal safety standard and carry a label that says so [1].
Match the helmet to the ride. A certified bike helmet suits pedal bikes and kick scooters, but federal guidance points riders of fast powered scooters to moped or motorcycle helmets [2].
Wrecks on e-bikes and e-scooters often hurt the head and face more than wrecks on pedal bikes, so coverage and fit matter even more [3, 4].
A helmet protects best when it sits level, low on the forehead and snug, with the chin strap buckled on every ride.
Replace a helmet after any accident or hard hit, even if it looks fine. If the maker gives no other advice, plan on a new one every 5 to 10 years [2].

Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation built this guide from U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) rules and guidance, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) fit advice, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) data and published injury research. Every source is listed at the end.

Why the right helmet matters

In 2024, 1,075 bicyclists were killed in collisions with motor vehicles in the U.S. [5]. In most bicyclist deaths, the worst injuries are to the head [5]. Sixty eight percent of the riders who died that year were not wearing a helmet [5].

A helmet will not stop a wreck. It can reduce the harm when your head hits a car, a curb or the pavement.

A large review pooled 40 studies of more than 64,000 injured cyclists [6]. Riders who wore helmets had about half the odds of a head injury [6]. Their odds of a serious head injury and of a fatal head injury were each about two thirds lower [6]. Their odds of a face injury were about one third lower [6].

How a helmet works

Most bike helmets have a thin plastic shell over a liner of firm foam. In an accident, the foam crushes and absorbs the energy of the blow [2]. Less of that energy reaches your skull and brain.

Once it has crushed, the foam will not protect you from another hit [2]. One hard impact can use up a helmet, even when the damage is hard to see.

What “certified” means: the federal bike helmet standard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) sets safety rules for many consumer products. Its bike helmet rule is found in federal regulations at 16 CFR part 1203 [1]. It applies to every bike helmet made after March 10, 1999 [7].

The rule covers any headgear sold as protection for bike riders, including multi sport helmets promoted for biking [1]. A helmet sold only for skateboarding, inline skating or roller hockey is not covered [1].

What the lab tests check

Test helmets must pass at room temperature and after being heated, chilled and soaked in water [7].

Comparison compiled by Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation

What the federal bike helmet lab tests check

Test	What it checks	Passing result
Impact	Force that reaches a test head when the helmet hits flat, rounded and curb shaped surfaces	Under 300 g [1]
Strap strength	Whether the chin strap and buckle hold under a sudden pull	Stretches no more than 1.2 inches [1]
Stability	Whether the helmet can roll off the head	Must stay on [1]
Side vision	Whether the helmet blocks your view	Clear view of 105 degrees to each side [1]

The “g” in the table is a measure of how fast the head speeds up or slows down. One g is the pull of normal gravity. In the flat surface test, the helmet strikes at about 6.2 meters per second, close to 14 mph [7]. The rounded and curb shaped tests run at about 4.8 meters per second, close to 11 mph [7].

How to read the label

Every certified bike helmet must carry a label stating that it meets the federal standard [1]. The wording names an age group [7]:

Age 5 and older: the usual helmet for older children, teens and adults [7].
Age 1 and older, extended head coverage: made for young children, with protection that reaches farther down the head [7].

The label is usually on the liner inside, on the outer shell or on the chin strap [2]. If you cannot find it, do not ride in that helmet.

Some helmets also list voluntary standards, such as ASTM F1447 or Snell B-90 or B-95 [2]. Those mean extra testing, but the CPSC label is still the one to find.

Match the helmet to the ride

Each helmet standard is written for a certain kind of fall and speed. CPSC publishes a guide that pairs activities with the right standards [2].

Comparison compiled by Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation

Which helmet to wear for each kind of ride

How you ride	Helmet to look for
Road riding, commuting or errands on a pedal bike	CPSC certified bike helmet [2]
Young child on a bike or in a bike seat	CPSC bike helmet in the child’s size, with the age 1 label for small children [7]
Kick scooter, roller skates or inline skates	CPSC certified bike helmet [2]
Skateboard	Skateboard helmet, such as ASTM F1492 [2]
Powered scooter or moped that can hold 20 mph or more	Moped or motorcycle helmet, such as DOT FMVSS 218 [2]

In the CPSC guide, a powered scooter is one that can keep up speeds of at least 20 mph and is likely to mix with car traffic [2]. Our guide to motorcycle helmet safety explains the DOT label.

E-bikes and e-scooters: why speed changes the picture

Federal rules sort most e-bikes into three classes [8]. On Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes, the motor stops helping at 20 mph, and a Class 2 motor can run without pedaling [8]. On a Class 3 e-bike, the motor keeps helping while you pedal up to 28 mph [8].

Injuries are rising fast. From 2020 to 2024, U.S. emergency room visits linked to e-bikes rose 389%, and visits linked to e-scooters rose 306% [9]. Bicycle visits rose about 6% over the same years [9].

Powered rides also tend to be harder on the head and face:

In a Dutch hospital study of riders ages 10 to 25, 37.8% of injured e-bike riders had a traumatic brain injury [3]. That compared with 19.4% of riders on regular bikes [3]. E-bike riders also had more facial fractures [3].
A study of 2023 Florida hospital data found that e-bike and e-scooter riders had odds of severe head injury similar to motorcyclists [4]. E-bike riders had higher odds of a severe face injury than motorcyclists [4].

The Florida researchers called for evidence based helmet standards for these riders, including a look at full face protection [4]. One standard already aims at faster e-bikes. CPSC’s guide notes that the Dutch standard NTA 8776 is designed for riders of high speed electric bikes, and lists it with moped helmet standards [2].

What this means for e-bike and e-scooter riders

Treat the CPSC bike helmet label as the minimum for any e-bike or e-scooter.
On a Class 3 e-bike, or near your bike’s top assisted speed, look for more coverage at the back and sides. Ask whether a model also meets NTA 8776.
If you ride fast in traffic, ask about full face designs made for your speed.
On a seated scooter or moped style device that holds 20 mph or more, use the moped or motorcycle standards CPSC lists [2].
Check local rules. Helmet rules for e-bike riders vary by state and city, and our guide to bicycle and e-bike laws by state explains them.

Who needs one, and where to buy it

Every rider needs a helmet that fits their own head, from commuters to kids to people on shared scooters. Parents buy for children, and delivery firms and shared bike and scooter programs may buy in bulk.

Common places to buy:

Bicycle shops, where staff can help with sizing and fit.
Authorized e-bike and scooter dealers.
Outdoor and sporting goods stores.
The company that made your e-bike or scooter.
Online sellers, as long as you confirm the label before you ride.

A shop fitting is worth it for a first helmet or a growing child. If you buy online, check the label when the box arrives. Send back any helmet with no CPSC label, an altered looking label, or a cracked or dented shell.

How to choose a helmet

Price is a poor guide to protection. Researchers in the United Kingdom tested 30 popular bike helmets with angled impacts, the kind that make the head twist [10]. The worst helmet carried about 2.25 times the overall injury risk of the best one [10]. Price had no significant effect on risk [10].

Some helmets add a rotation management liner. This layer is meant to let the helmet slide slightly on impact so less twisting force reaches the brain. In the same tests, these liners cut rotational motion, but not every helmet that had one ranked near the top [10]. Heavier helmets were linked with a higher risk of skull fracture [10].

How to fit a helmet, step by step

A helmet that sits wrong can slide back just when you need it. Take five minutes with a mirror or a helper.

Choose the size. Pick the size that fits your head today. Do not buy a larger helmet for a child to grow into [11].
Set it level. Lay two fingers flat across your forehead just above the eyebrows. The front edge of the helmet should sit just above them [11].
Shape the side straps. Each side strap should make a “V” that meets just below the ear [11, 12].
Buckle and snug the chin strap. You should fit no more than two fingers between the strap and your chin [11].
Tighten the back. Use the rear dial or pads until the helmet does not shift front to back or side to side [2].
Do the yawn test. Open your mouth wide. You should feel the helmet press down on your head. If not, tighten the chin strap [12].
Recheck often. Fit changes with haircuts, hats, cold weather caps and a child’s growth.

Helmets for kids and teens

Kids copy what they see, so wear your own helmet. Make one part of every ride, including short trips, scooters and skates [12]. For skateboarding, choose a helmet made for it [2, 12].

For toddlers and preschoolers, look for the age 1 label with extended head coverage [7]. Fit the helmet to the child’s head today, not next year [11].

Kids on e-bikes need extra attention. A national study looked at injured children ages 2 to 18. Where helmet use was recorded, 97.3% of e-bike riders were not wearing one [13]. That compared with 82.1% of children on pedal bikes [13]. Injured e-bike riders were also more likely to be admitted to the hospital, 11.5% versus 4.8% for pedal bikes [13].

Teach teens the fit steps so they can check their own helmets. Before a teen rides an e-bike, agree on a house rule: helmet on and buckled, every trip.

For delivery fleets and shared bike and scooter programs

Helmet use tends to drop when the bike or scooter is not the rider’s own. In a 2019 San Francisco study, observers watched 5,365 riders [14]. Riders on shared e-scooters wore helmets 70% less often than people on their own e-scooters [14]. Riders of dockless shared e-bikes wore helmets 42% less often than riders of docked shared e-bikes [14].

If your business or program puts riders on the road, a simple plan helps:

Buy certified helmets that match the device’s speed. For fast e-bikes and powered scooters, check CPSC’s activity guide [2].
Stock a range of sizes and adjustable models so every rider gets a true fit.
Assign each helmet to one person when you can. Shared helmets need cleaning and are harder to track.
Teach the fit check at onboarding, and spot check it later.
Retire any helmet that has been in an accident, and replace it at no cost to the worker [2].
Record purchase dates so helmets are retired on schedule.

Limits, common mistakes and care

A helmet is one layer of protection. Lights, safe routes and careful drivers prevent collisions.

What a helmet cannot do

It does little for the neck. The large review found no clear link between helmet use and neck injury [6].
Most bike helmets leave the jaw and face open. Face injuries are a concern in e-bike crashes [4].

Common mistakes

Wearing the helmet tipped back so the forehead shows.
Leaving the chin strap loose or unbuckled.
Wearing a thick cap or hood that keeps the helmet from sitting snug.
Using a skate only helmet for biking, or a bike helmet on a fast moped class scooter.
Riding in a used helmet with an unknown history.

Care and replacement

After a crash: Replace the helmet after any crash or hard hit, even with no visible damage [2]. Federal rules require bike helmets to warn that a helmet that took a hit should go back to the maker for inspection, or be destroyed and replaced [7]. Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation gives riders the same advice.
With age: Follow the maker’s advice on how long the helmet lasts. If there is none, CPSC suggests replacing it within 5 to 10 years of purchase [2].
Before each ride: Look for cracks, dents, frayed straps, a broken buckle or missing pads.
Storage and cleaning: Keep it in a cool, dry place out of direct sun. Clean it only the way the instructions say.
After a car accident: Photograph the helmet and keep it with your crash records before replacing it. If your head was hit, get checked by a health care provider, even if you feel fine.

Frequently asked questions

Is a more expensive helmet safer?

Not necessarily. In lab tests of 30 popular helmets, protection varied a lot, but price had no significant effect on injury risk [10]. Start with the CPSC label and a good fit. Then compare coverage, weight and features such as a rotation management liner. A helmet you wear every ride beats a pricey one left at home.

Can I wear my bike helmet on an e-scooter?

On a kick scooter, yes. CPSC says a certified bike helmet works for kick scooters, skating and biking [2]. For a powered scooter that can hold 20 mph or more in traffic, CPSC’s guide lists moped or motorcycle helmets instead [2]. Check your scooter’s top speed in the owner’s manual, and match the helmet to how fast you really ride.

Do I need a special helmet for my e-bike?

A CPSC certified bike helmet is the minimum. E-bike crashes can be harder on the head and face than pedal bike crashes [3, 4]. That is a good reason to choose more coverage, especially on a Class 3 e-bike that assists up to 28 mph [8]. CPSC’s guide notes that the Dutch NTA 8776 standard is designed for high speed e-bike riders [2]. Ask the shop which models meet it.

How long does a bike helmet last?

Replace it right away after any crash or hard hit, because crushed foam will not protect you again [2]. Otherwise, follow the maker’s guidance. If there is none, CPSC suggests replacing it within 5 to 10 years of purchase [2]. Write the purchase date inside so you know its age.

Is a used or hand me down helmet okay?

Only if you know its full history. A helmet may look fine after a crash and still be spent inside [2]. If you cannot be sure it has never taken a hit, buy a new one. Also check for the CPSC label, cracks, dents and worn straps. For a child, make sure it fits now [11].

The bottom line

Recommendation from Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation

Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation urges every rider to wear a certified helmet that matches the ride, fits well and is buckled on every trip. The right helmet is certified, made for how you ride, and fitted to your head today. Look for the CPSC label first, then match the helmet to your speed.

Fit it with the two finger, V strap and yawn checks, and buckle it every time. Replace it after any crash and when it ages out. A few minutes at the shop and a habit at the door can change the outcome on the worst day of a ride.

Sources and further reading

1U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Bicycle Helmets Business Guidance. No update date shown; accessed October 2026. cpsc.gov/…/Bicycle-Helmets
2U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Which Helmet for Which Activity? Publication 349. Published March 2026. cpsc.gov/…/349-WhichHelmetBrochure_3-23-2026_PRIN…
3Kroes TR, Poos HPAM, Buijze ALF, Rozema R, Lameijer H, Emous M. Injury severity and traumatic brain injuries in youth and adolescents using conventional and electronic bicycles; a retrospective cohort study. European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery 51(1):268 (via PubMed; doi:10.1007/s00068-025-02941-4). Published August 2025. Data year: not stated in the abstract (single hospital in the Netherlands, riders ages 10 to 25). pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40788388
4Reyes et al. E-bikes and E-scooters are not bicycles or motorcycles: The case for a dedicated trauma registry mechanism. Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery (via PubMed; doi:10.1097/TA.0000000000005035). Published online April 2026. Data year: 2023 (Florida emergency department and inpatient data). pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42053154
5Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Fatality Facts 2024: Bicyclists. Posted June 2026. Data year: 2024. iihs.org/…/bicyclists
6Olivier J, Creighton P. Bicycle injuries and helmet use: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Epidemiology 46(1):278-292 (via PubMed; doi:10.1093/ije/dyw153). Published February 2017. Data year: pooled results of 40 published studies (study years vary). pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27450862
7Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. 16 CFR Part 1203, Safety Standard for Bicycle Helmets. Up to date as of October 1, 2026. ecfr.gov/…/part-1203
8Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. 36 CFR 1.4, What terms do I need to know? (electric bicycle class definitions). Up to date as of October 1, 2026. ecfr.gov/…/section-1.4
9Singichetti B, Lundstrom EW, Schumacher AC, Barry V. Characterisation of e-scooter, e-bike and bicycle injuries by motor vehicle involvement: USA (2020-2024). Injury Prevention (via PubMed; doi:10.1136/ip-2026-046214). Published June 2026. Data year: 2020 to 2024 (NEISS emergency department data). pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42342453
10Baker CE, Yu X, Lovell B, Tan R, Patel S, Ghajari M. How Well Do Popular Bicycle Helmets Protect from Different Types of Head Injury? Annals of Biomedical Engineering 52(12):3326-3364 (via PubMed; doi:10.1007/s10439-024-03589-8). Published September 2024. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39294466
11National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Bicycle Safety: Fitting a Bicycle Helmet. Document 16285b-061324-v1a. No publication date shown; accessed October 2026. nhtsa.gov/…/bike-safety-fitting-bicycle-helmet
12Safe Kids Worldwide. Bike Safety Tips. No date shown; accessed October 2026. safekids.org/tip/bike-safety-tips
13Goodman et al. Electric bicycles (e-bikes) are an increasingly common pediatric public health problem. Surgery Open Science 14:46-51 (via PubMed; doi:10.1016/j.sopen.2023.06.004). Published June 2023. Data year: 2011 to 2020 (NEISS emergency department data, ages 2 to 18). pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37519328
14Frye W, Chehab L, Feler J, et al. Popular but precarious: low helmet use among shared micromobility program riders in San Francisco. Frontiers in Public Health 12:1477473 (via PubMed; doi:10.3389/fpubh.2024.1477473). Published December 2024. Data year: 2019 (roadside observations, February and March). pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39744364

This article reflects the safety priorities of head protection for bicycle, e-bike and scooter riders. It is general education, not legal, medical or insurance advice. Standards and local laws change, so verify details with official sources. For your own situation, ask a bike shop or dealer about fit, check your state or city rules, and see a health care provider after any blow to the head. Reviewed October 2026.

Cite this article: Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation. “Certified bike and scooter helmets: how to read the label, fit it and replace it on time.” drivewithcare.org, https://drivewithcare.org/certified-bike-e-bike-scooter-helmets/. Reviewed October 2026.

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Certified bike and scooter helmets: how to read the label, fit it and replace it on time

Why the right helmet matters

How a helmet works

What “certified” means: the federal bike helmet standard

What the lab tests check

How to read the label

Match the helmet to the ride

E-bikes and e-scooters: why speed changes the picture

What this means for e-bike and e-scooter riders

Who needs one, and where to buy it

How to choose a helmet

How to fit a helmet, step by step

Helmets for kids and teens

For delivery fleets and shared bike and scooter programs

Limits, common mistakes and care

What a helmet cannot do

Common mistakes

Care and replacement

Frequently asked questions

Is a more expensive helmet safer?

Can I wear my bike helmet on an e-scooter?

Do I need a special helmet for my e-bike?

How long does a bike helmet last?

Is a used or hand me down helmet okay?

The bottom line

Sources and further reading

Special thanks to our contributors

Have professional expertise, firsthand experience, or a perspective that could make this resource better?

Your contribution; thank you for taking the time to share your expertise with us. We truly appreciate your help in making this resource better.

About you; help readers see the expertise behind your contribution.

Thank you. Your contribution is on its way.

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Terms and policies

Certified bike and scooter helmets: how to read the label, fit it and replace it on time

Why the right helmet matters

How a helmet works

What “certified” means: the federal bike helmet standard

What the lab tests check

How to read the label

Match the helmet to the ride

E-bikes and e-scooters: why speed changes the picture

What this means for e-bike and e-scooter riders

Who needs one, and where to buy it

How to choose a helmet

How to fit a helmet, step by step

Helmets for kids and teens

For delivery fleets and shared bike and scooter programs

Limits, common mistakes and care

What a helmet cannot do

Common mistakes

Care and replacement

Frequently asked questions

Is a more expensive helmet safer?

Can I wear my bike helmet on an e-scooter?

Do I need a special helmet for my e-bike?

How long does a bike helmet last?

Is a used or hand me down helmet okay?

The bottom line

Related articles

Sources and further reading

Special thanks to our contributors

Have professional expertise, firsthand experience, or a perspective that could make this resource better?

Your contribution; thank you for taking the time to share your expertise with us. We truly appreciate your help in making this resource better.

About you; help readers see the expertise behind your contribution.

Thank you. Your contribution is on its way.

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