Urban bike helmet with visor and lights

What makes an urban bike helmet different?

In town you ride more slowly than on the open road, but among cars, kerbs and tram rails: an urban helmet wraps further around the back and sides of the head, has fewer vents and adopts an understated look that goes with everyday clothes. Two constructions coexist: the rigid ABS hard shell, tough against the small knocks of daily life, and the thin shell moulded directly onto the foam, which is lighter. A magnetic buckle, which you can fasten with one hand, and reflective details are real assets for everyday use.

For sporty rides, road bike helmets favour ventilation and lightness, and mountain bike helmets coverage on rough ground.

Being seen in town: lights, reflectors and colours

Placed at drivers' eye level, a light fitted to the helmet can be spotted from afar. Some models integrate it into the shell, rechargeable via a USB cable; others take a removable light that clips on or attaches magnetically so it can be charged separately. A few helmets add a front light or indicators. Light and fluorescent colours, reflective strips and stickers complement the lighting at dusk.

This light does not replace lights on the bike itself: in the UK, the Highway Code requires your bike to have white front and red rear lights lit at night, as well as a red rear reflector. Elsewhere, check the rules that apply where you ride.

Visor, rain and cold: everyday comfort

A visor, fixed, removable or sliding, protects your eyes from low sun and raindrops, and saves you wearing glasses for a short journey. Some helmets let you close their vents when it rains; failing that, a waterproof helmet cover does the job. In winter, a thin under-helmet cap or removable ear covers keep you warm without affecting the fit. The inner pads come out for washing and can be replaced when they wear: helmet covers, under-helmet caps, visors and replacement pads are available on this page.

E-bikes, speed pedelecs and folding helmets

For an electric bike whose motor cuts out at 25 km/h (15.5 mph), the EN 1078 standard for conventional bicycle helmets is sufficient. Fast electric bikes, or speed pedelecs, call for more extensive protection: the Dutch NTA 8776 standard was created for them and requires wider coverage, including the temples and the back of the head. Several urban helmets carry both certifications.

If you combine cycling with public transport, or use a bike-share scheme, a folding helmet fits in a bag once folded. Check that it carries the EN 1078 marking, or the CPSC label in the United States, like any bicycle helmet.

Choosing the right size, for adults and children

Measure around your head with a soft tape, horizontally, passing above your ears, then compare with the manufacturer's chart. A well-fitted urban helmet covers your forehead without blocking your view, does not tip backwards when you turn your head and stays in place without the dial being fully tightened. Some adjustment systems leave room for a ponytail or a plait.

For children, whether they ride on their own or sit in a child seat or trailer, choose a model in their current size, with a dial that allows for a few centimetres of growth, and let them choose the colour: a helmet they like is a helmet they keep on their head.

Which urban bike helmet brand should you choose?

Kask, an Italian manufacturer based near Bergamo, designed the Urban R for daily commuting: three vents that close with a lever when it rains, a visor supplied with the helmet and swappable in one move, and a Limelight rear light that clips onto it; the Urban Lifestyle completes the range.

Lazer launched its KinetiCore protection on its city and kids' helmets among others, such as the Nutz KinetiCore designed for younger riders.

Abus takes great care over the lighting of its city helmets: the Hud-Y ACE has a large magnetic, rechargeable rear light visible over 180 degrees, with a sliding integrated visor, and the Pedelec 2.0 ACE, fitted with a rechargeable light, is certified to both EN 1078 and NTA 8776.

CGM, an Italian manufacturer that comes from motorcycle helmets, brings this style to cycling with the Ebi: a retro-look jet shell, a shaped visor and, on the Vintage version, a faux-leather lining and removable ear covers for winter.

New Lane, a young London brand, has designed a helmet that folds in two thanks to a hinge so it slips into a bag; certified to EN 1078, it is available in a MIPS version.

Where can you find an urban bike helmet on sale?

City helmets from previous ranges join urban helmet clearance, and newly listed models are in new arrivals. To complete your rainy-day outfit, rain jackets and ponchos are among the urban cycling gear. Black Friday and the winter sales are good times to get equipped before the short days.

Frequently asked questions

Is it compulsory to wear a helmet when cycling in town?

In the UK, the law does not require cyclists to wear a helmet, on a conventional bike or on an electric bike that meets the legal limits, but the Highway Code advises wearing one. An electric bike that exceeds these limits is classed as a motorcycle or moped: it must be registered and taxed, and you need a driving licence and a motorcycle helmet that meets British safety standards. Rules vary from one country to another, so check those that apply where you ride.

How do you make your helmet visible at night?

A light-coloured helmet, reflective strips and a built-in or removable rear light make all the difference in headlights. Check that the light is charged before you set off and angle it so it stays visible when you tilt your head. It adds to the bike's lights without replacing them.

Does a folding helmet protect as well as a conventional helmet?

It meets the same EN 1078 standard and therefore passes the same impact tests. Its hinge and shape sometimes make it slightly heavier and give it a different feel: try it on to check that it holds well once unfolded and locked.

How do you ride in the rain with a helmet?

A visor keeps drops out of your eyes, and a waterproof helmet cover keeps your head dry if the helmet is well ventilated. Let the helmet air-dry after use, without putting it against a radiator: excessive heat damages the foam.

Women's urban bike helmet: what should you look for?

Most urban helmets are unisex; what matters is the size, often available from 51 cm head circumference, and a rear adjustment that works with your hairstyle. An adjustable chin strap and a magnetic buckle make everyday use easier, whatever you are wearing.