Electric Scooter Helmet

Is it compulsory to wear a helmet when riding an electric scooter?

To answer clearly and succinctly, wearing a helmet on an electric scooter is not mandatory at this time (2020). But for safety reasons we can only recommend that you wear a helmet when scootering. Even if you are careful on the road, other vehicles that you pass on your way may not do the same and a scooter, in addition to being a relatively small object, has no protection against impacts. It is therefore strongly recommended that you wear a helmet to ride a scooter safely.

What does the regulation say?

The latest regulation to date came out in July 2020. The law says that helmets are not mandatory, knowing that children under 12 years old are not allowed to be on an electric scooter. But with the ever-increasing number of electric scooters in France, it is possible that this will change in the coming years so that everyone is protected on the road. More and more cyclists are wearing helmets when they ride their bikes. The movement should then logically follow the same way for the users of electric scooters.

What about insurance?

According to the latest regulations, the law makes it compulsory to have insurance to ride your electric scooter, at least civil liability insurance. This compulsory insurance covers any damage you may cause to third parties, i.e. to the vehicle or equipment or person, while riding an electric scooter. This insurance must be associated with a single vehicle. If you have several scooters, for example, it is important that each one has its own insurance.

In the long run, it is therefore likely that insurers will increase their rates if users of electric scooters do not wear helmets. According to the insurer Luko, 40% of electric scooter injuries occur to the head. If this represents an additional cost, this insurance can also cover theft of the scooter. This is useful when you invest in a high-priced electric scooter.

What other equipment is required to ride a scooter?

Other accessories are essential for riding an electric scooter. The fluorescent waistcoat is mandatory when riding in low light conditions. So make sure you are well equipped if you are going to be riding at night, or even if you are just coming home in winter after a long day at work. As night falls quickly, it is useful to be well prepared with the right equipment for a smooth ride.

Other compulsory equipment is generally present when purchasing a new adult electric scooter. Since 2020, these machines must be sold with a white headlight, a red rear light, reflectors (or reflective strips) on the sides of the scooter, and a non-electric bell. If you bought your vehicle before this date, you must fit these accessories yourself if your scooter does not have them, or you will be fined 38 euros.

What are the different types of helmets for electric scooters?

Several types of helmets are available for riding electric scooters. But the question that most users of electric scooters ask themselves is: Which scooter helmet should I choose? Everyone knows the helmets for bikes and motorbikes, but are there any specific helmets for scooters?

Not really. So what kind of helmet is suitable for scooters? If there are no helmets specifically for electric scooters, it's simply because the different styles of helmets on the market are perfectly suited to scooters.

As with all equipment, the choice of helmet depends on your own needs. Some helmets are better suited to speed, others to night riding, off-road riding, or simply urban riders, etc. It is important that the helmet you choose suits you so that you don't leave it behind when you ride your electric scooter.

The bicycle helmet

Lightweight and compact, bicycle helmets are well suited for use with an electric scooter. If your main selection criteria is lightness, they are the most comfortable option for you.

There are many different models available, ranging from foldable models that can be stored in a small bag, to models with LEDs on the back to optimise visibility at night. The price range of bicycle helmets can vary depending on the different options you wish to have.

On the other hand, bicycle helmets are the least protective of the helmets for electric scooters. Especially if you intend to exceed the 25 km/h limit on public roads. This does not mean that the protection is bad, but simply that other types of helmets cover the head more effectively. But beyond the purely safety aspect, don't forget that the most protective helmet is the one that you don't hesitate to put on every time you ride your scooter.

The snowboard or skateboard helmet

The snowboard helmet or skateboard helmet is probably the most suitable choice for the electric scooter. In terms of both comfort and safety, these helmets offer the best compromise. In addition to the bike helmets, they have a reinforced protection on the back of the head and on the sides up to the ears.

Some models even come with a visor to help protect you from the wind. If you don't mind going over the regulated 25km/h with your powerful electric scooter, this can be an excellent choice to keep the lightness of a helmet (like a bicycle helmet) while maximising your safety.

Designed with a hard shell made of ABS and polycarbonate, snowboard helmets are subjected to very high impact resistance tests. It is normal for these helmets to provide effective protection against falls, given the speed of a snowboard on snow. While the average speed is around 35 km/h (close to the speed of a scooter), it is not uncommon for some snowboarders to exceed 90 km/h on snow.

Another big advantage of a snowboard helmet is that it is better ventilated than a motorbike helmet to let your skull breathe. But if these helmets let the air through, they are also very practical in winter. The ears on this type of helmet are usually covered and thus protected from the cold by a very soft fleece lining. This can make all the difference if you are used to riding your scooter in cool weather. This makes it possible to use your helmet all year round in comfort and safety.

The cross-country helmet

Designed primarily for off-road use, the cross helmet is especially suitable for off-road enthusiasts with their electric scooter. Riding on rough, unpaved roads is very different from riding in the city. Obstacles and various jolts can lead to more falls when riding an electric scooter.

With an extended chin strap to better anticipate the impact on the front, the cross helmet is adapted to sporty riding. Well ventilated to avoid perspiration, these helmets are not equipped with a visor. It is therefore necessary to invest in a removable mask or glasses to avoid dust and possible projectiles.

The motorbike helmet

Offering the best protection for the head and neck, the motorbike helmet is the heaviest and most cumbersome helmet for riding a scooter. But it is also the only helmet that effectively protects you from all head impacts. In addition, motorbike helmets are generally very comfortable for long journeys, apart from their weight.

Motorbike helmets can be divided into three categories: full-face helmets, jet helmets and modular helmets:

The jet motorbike helmet

The Jet helmet is light and open, concentrating protection from the front through the ears to the neck. This type of helmet does not offer any protection on the front side as it does not have a chin strap. This type of helmet is often used by electric scooter owners who want good protection while maintaining a light weight for a motorbike helmet. The jet helmet, with or without visor, has a vintage look as well as a very modern look, and is very popular with urban two-wheeler users when summer arrives.

The full-face motorbike helmet

With foams surrounding the skull as well as the cheeks, jaw and chin, the full face helmet is the one you need if you want to ride an electric scooter at high speed. However, we would like to remind you that on public roads, it is not possible to exceed 25 km/h. If this type of product is the safest, it is also the heaviest, with a volume that is much greater than the others.

With a reduced field of vision, this type of helmet is not suitable for riding a scooter in town. With a full-face motorbike helmet, you are also isolated from the surrounding noise and therefore less alert to possible dangers. It is primarily recommended for electric scooter users who want to make long journeys at high speed.

The modular motorbike helmet

Modular helmet, also called modular, is a helmet that can be both full face and with the chin strap up. Depending on what you want, it is possible to use the maximum protection by lowering the chin strap if for example you have to ride well above the speed limits outside built-up areas (well above 25 km/h). But it is also possible to take advantage of the urban environment in warmer weather with the ability to breathe easier on an electric scooter like on a jet helmet. But dual possibilities also mean a higher than average price. This type of 2-in-1 helmet offers excellent head protection, but at a significant cost.

How to choose the size of your scooter helmet?

Too small or too big, an ill-fitting scooter helmet will not make the wearer feel comfortable. But on top of that, a helmet that is not the right size will not protect you effectively in case of an accident. That's why it's important to choose a helmet that fits the shape of your head.

To find out the size of your helmet, a tape measure can be used to take the measurements easily. If you do not have one, a simple wire placed around the head can be used instead. Then simply lay the wire flat on a measuring stick.

Like bicycle helmets, the different models for electric scooters can be of mixed sizes. Depending on the brand of helmet, it is necessary to take measurements in order to buy a perfectly fitting model.

Once the size has been selected, it is important to wear the helmet properly. The helmet should be fitted horizontally to cover the forehead and the back of the head. The strap should then be fastened sufficiently to ensure that the helmet fits snugly without going over the chin or being too tight to turn the head properly.

What are the different helmet standards?

When you invest in a helmet, it is essential that it complies with European standards in order to protect you perfectly. Your head is protected by both the shell and the strap that holds the helmet in place in the event of a fall. Here are the different standards to check before buying a scooter helmet:

• For a bicycle or skateboard helmet: NF EN 1078
• For a snowboard helmet: NF EN 1077
• For a motorbike helmet: ECE 22-04 or ECE 22-05 followed by the letter P (for full-face helmets), PJ (for modular helmets) and J (for Jet). Please note that only modular helmets with P/J can be used in traffic in the open or closed position.

Our selection of the best helmets for electric scooters

To make it easier for you to find your way around all the helmets available in our shop, we have put together a Top 5 list of the best helmets for riding electric scooters:

• THOUSANDbicycle helmet

This American brand of vintage looking helmets is available in many different colours. Inspired by the 70's, Thousand helmets are perfectly suited for use on electric scooters. A real favourite!

• RUROC RG1-DXfull face helmet

Particularly light (700g) for a full face helmet, the RUROC is designed for extreme skiing and snowboarding. Its unique style is available in a multitude of colours for sporty electric scooters.

• LIVALL BLING BH62connected bicycle helmet

Equipped with 80 LEDs on the back, this helmet serves as an indicator to simply indicate to other drivers that you want to turn. Very safe, this helmet is also equipped with a loudspeaker so that you can listen to your music or simply communicate by phone.

• OVERADE PLIXI FIT folding bicycle helmet

Practical to store in a bag, the Plixi Fit helmet from the French brand Overade brings comfort and safety in very compact dimensions. Once folded, its volume is divided by 3! It will be your best safety ally, while protecting you with style.

• ABUS HYBAN 2.0 ACEbicycle helmet

With excellent ventilation, the ABUS Hyban 2.0 ACE has both an integrated visor and an LED system on the back of the helmet to make you even more visible to others on the road in low light conditions.