So you’ve got yourself an electric scooter. First off, congratulations! Now it’s time to protect your head. Aside from being required in most regions, wearing a helmet is just wise practice for riding. According to one study, less than five percent of e-scooter riders wear a helmet. Yet, head injuries are the single most common injury type, accounting for 40% of riders that end up in emergency rooms. Depending on the top speed of your scooter, you’ll need heavier-duty scooter helmets that can handle the impact in case of an accident. Here’s everything you need to know about electric scooter helmets.
Read more: The best smart helmets to keep your head safe
Table of Contents
Do I need a helmet to ride my electric scooter?
Depending on your country, there will be different legal requirements for whether or not you need to wear a helmet and, if so, what kind of standards your helmet has to meet. Even if your region doesn’t require you to wear a helmet, it’s still a good idea. Better safe than sorry, as they say. No matter how good a rider you might be on a scooter, others on the road might not be so responsible. One study showed that 80% of electric scooter fatalities involved a car. Let me tell you that even riding down the bike lane, vehicles won’t always see you or give you the right of way.
Besides staying vigilant, here are a few things to keep in mind when assessing your risk level while riding a scooter:
- Night riding reduces visibility
- Bad weather like snow, rain, or fog reduces visibility.
- Reaching higher speeds for long distances is a higher risk.
- Riding on roads with lots of traffic or without a dedicated bike lane is a higher risk.
Each of these conditions increases your chances of falling or getting in an accident, so you’ll want some head protection in case.
What kind of helmet should I wear for my scooter?
The type of helmet you need depends on how fast your electric scooter can go. If the top speed is over 30 mph (48 km/h) or higher, then a full-face helmet is your only choice. Breaking abruptly at high speeds tends to throw the rider forward over their scooter, so you’ll want to protect your entire face from a fall. We also recommend a visor to shield against the wind.
If you ride a model with medium speeds, around 18 mph to 25 mph, you don’t necessarily need a heavy-duty full-face helmet; a modular helmet or one without a visor would do the trick. However, with these speeds, you won’t be flying through the air from an abrupt stop, so you can also get away with wearing a half-shell helmet that covers your dome and/or ears but not your chin.
Your run-of-the-mill half-shell helmets are sufficient if you never ride faster than 15 mph (25 km/h). And if you ride at or below 12 mph (20 km/h), then using a standard bike helmet is fine.
The best scooter helmets for kids
Most electric scooters for kids won’t go faster than 12—15 mph, so a bike helmet or half-shell helmet will suffice. Here are our recommendations.
Giro Register MIPS
If you hate wearing a helmet, the Giro Register might win you over since it’s so lightweight you’ll forget you’re even wearing it on your head. This helmet also has multi-directional impact protection, meaning no matter what angle you fall at, it will redirect the energy of the impact to lessen the blow. It’s pretty comfortable and comes in many colors to fit any style.
But the Gyro Register MIPS on Amazon
Thousand Helmet
Aside from being a sleek and stylish helmet, the Thousand is a great protective helmet for commuters. It has a discrete pop-lock to thread your U-lock through behind the logo mark to conveniently and securely lock up your helmet. The magnetic buckle makes it easy to strap on and comes in various colors.
Buy the Thousand helmet on Amazon
TSG Evolution Helmet
Featuring TSG’s custom low snug fit, the Evolution helmet is one of the slimmest hardshell designs available. Hardshell helmets are constructed from ABS or PP plastic. This outer shell gets bonded to the EPS core for a two-piece construction that provides high durability and ultimate high-impact protection.
Buy the TGS Evolution on Amazon
The best scooter helmets for adults
Serious scooters can reach very high speeds, between 30 — 40 mph. If you fall or get in an accident going that fast, you will need some equally serious protection. A good helmet is a must, but you might also consider getting some knee or elbow pads.
Predator FR7 Certified Helmet
The Canadian-designed FR7 Certified has taken off as a go-to helmet for all kinds of motorsports enthusiasts. The FR7 Certified features a low-profile classic skate fit with a short brim to block sunlight. The helmet is dual certified with CPSC and CE-1078, providing maximum melon impact protection with an EPS foam liner to help dissipate energy. The fit kit will ensure it’s sized to any shaped head, so you have a snug barrier between your brain and any dangers on the road.
Buy the Predator Fr7 Certified helmet on Amazon
Fox ProFrame Full Face MIPS Helmet
The Fox Proframe Helmet is one of the original full-face helmets and is still the market leader. Designed to meet the needs of all-terrain riders, it packs MIPS technology and a dual-density EPS liner into a lightweight shell with a full chin bar. The Proframe Helmet has 15 intake and nine exhaust vents, providing exceptional airflow and breathability on both climbs and descents.
Buy the Fox ProFrame on Amazon
TSG Pass Pro Full Face Helmet
Engineered with the help of a skateboard world champion, the Pass Pro downhill helmet is the best in performance and has quickly become the most popular helmet for e-riders worldwide. The compact shell and its aerodynamic design cut through the air at high speeds, and the curved visor with a scratch-proof, anti-fog coating allows for clear peripheral vision. There’s even a nose vent to help you breathe and ear slots to improve hearing ambient noise.
Where to buy scooter helmets
While you can buy all of the helmets mentioned in this guide directly from Amazon, it’s also worthwhile visiting your neighborhood EV shop. Many shops curate a selection of high-quality equipment and can be a great resource to point you in the right direction according to your needs. It’ll also save you on shipping costs.
Remember to stay safe out there and have fun exploring your city on your electric scooter!
FAQs
Q: Are bike and scooter helmets the same?
A: Some helmets are designed for specific usages, such as mountain biking or motorcycling, but for the most part, you can use any bike helmet for riding a scooter and vice versa. However, if your electric scooter can go high speeds, you should get a full-face helmet.
Q: Should adults wear helmets on a scooter?
A: Yes, it’s always a good idea for adults to wear a helmet, not just for their own safety but to set an example for young riders. Head injuries at high speeds can be severe and life-altering without protection.
Q: Are scooter helmets safe?
A: Yes, a good helmet will greatly increase your safety while riding an electric scooter.
Q: Do scooter riders need helmets?
A: Not every country or region requires electric scooter riders to wear a helmet, but it is still a good idea to do so in case of an accident. Research your region’s laws before riding.