The Helmet Update Newsletter

Summary: BHSI has a periodic email newsletter called The Helmet Update, devoted to new developments in bicycle helmets, helmet standards, laws and promotion campaigns. The Update is emailed free. The messages are short, with links to more detail. To be added to the list just email us.

• July 16, 2025
  Va Tech and Consumer Reports have updated ratings
  
  
• December 16, 2024
  ASTM bike helmet standard improved with 275 peak g maximum
  
  
• September 10, 2024
  Australian helmet testing site is amazing
  
  
• May 29, 2024
  KAV 3D printed helmets perform well in lesser impacts
  
  
• January 12, 2024
  Retrospec recalls 72,000 Scout helmets
  
  
• January 5, 2024 again
  Sweden's Hovding air bag helmet company folds
  
  
• January 5, 2024
  Bell recalls Slope adult skate-style helmet
  
  
• August 29, 2023
  CPSC helmet recalls are evolving
  
  
• June 9, 2023
  Australian study on helmets and humanization.
  
  
• May 4, 2023
  New list of best-performing helmets.
  
  
• April 4, 2023
  Giro/Bell recalled the Merit model in February.
  
  
• March 10, 2023
  Recalls of TureClos and Ouwoer Kids helmets
  
  
• January 31, 2023
  Serbian study indicates drivers pass helmeted riders closer.
  
  
• January 20, 2023
  More Sakar helmets recalled.
  
  
• October 31, 2022
  Punisher adult helmets recalled.
  
  
• July 19, 2022
  Tony Hawk Silver Metallic skate-style helmets recalled.
  
  
• March 24, 2022
  Dimensions Bluetooth and Segway Ninebot helmets recalled.
  
  
• February 1, 2022
  Snell publishes rotational energy research.
  
  
• November 10, 2021
  Albany County ebike law, Abus helmets recalled.
  
  
• September 6, 2021
  TurboSke toddler helmets recalled.
  
  
• June 21, 2021
  VA Tech testing finds 5 Star helmet for $7.45.
  
  
• April 17, 2021
  Consumer Reports publishes a new helmet page.
  
  
• February 24, 2021
  Bee Free size small helmets recalled
  
  
• November 30, 2020
  Any Volume helmets recalled
  
  
• August 29, 2020
  Morpher and Woom helmets recalled
  
  
• August 12, 2020
  Sweet Protection recalls Ripper helmets
  
  
• April 11, 2020
  Consumer Reports ratings - Cleaning COVID-19
  
  
• January 14, 2020
  Helmets for 2020
  
  
• December 13, 2019
  Rideshare company solves helmet problem
  
  
• July 27, 2019
  Will there be a helmet class action lawsuit?
  
  
• July 3, 2019
  Consumer Reports flunks three helmets
  
  
• May 7, 2019
  Consumer Reports rates rotational energy management first criterion
  
  
• February 11, 2019
  Australian study finds all-ages helmet laws have cut cyclist fatalities in half
  
  
• December 14, 2018
  Virginia Tech publishes new helmet ratings.
  
  
• October 1, 2018
  Lazer recalls four helmet models.
  
  
• June 22, 2018
  Virginia Tech publishes new bicycle helmet ratings.
  
  
• June 15, 2018
  Counterfeit helmet seller convicted.
  
  
• May 29, 2018
  Testing by Snell officers shows no performance gain with MIPS.
  
  
• March 15, 2018
  Louis Garneau and Lazer recalls.
  
  
• March 10, 2018
  Hövding petitions for exemption from CPSC helmet standard.
  
  
• February 6, 2018
  Helmets for 2018.
  
  
• September 25, 2017
  Pro-Tec recalls their City Lite and Street Lite models.
  
  
• May 3, 2017
  Pro-Tec City Lite fails testing and BHSI publishes dishwasher test results.
  
  
• December 1, 2016
  Helmets for 2017 preview.
  
  
• November 27, 2016
  Concussion trends and a jaw injury study.
  
  
• September 1, 2016
  Recall of SAHN Classic helmets.
  
  
• June 28, 2016
  Consumer Reports has published a helmet article.
  
  
• May 16, 2016
  Recall of Schwinn infant helmet sold at Target
  
  
• April 13, 2016
  Recall of Rollerblade Maxxum skate helmet
  
  
• January 29, 2016
  Study blames bike helmets for risk compensation
  
  
• December 30, 2015
  Helmets for 2016 review
  
  
• September 27, 2015
  Europe publishes new helmet study
  
  
• September 22, 2015
  Preview: Helmets for 2016
  
  
• May 31, 2015
  Helmets proven to perform for decades
  
  
• May 1, 2015
  Consumer Reports 2015 helmet article
  
  
• February 13, 2015
  Scott Vanish Evo helmet recall
  
  
• December 22, 2014
  Consumer Reports is breaking buckles again
  
  
• December 15, 2014
  Helmets for 2015
  
  
• December 12, 2014
  Uvex helmet recall
  
  
• October 15, 2014
  Anti-concussion helmet
  
  
• September 17, 2014
  Interbike report - helmets for 2015
  
  
• February 22, 2014
  Fun helmet safety video from Manitoba.
  
  
• December 18, 2013
  Helmets for 2014 is up.
  
  
• October 7, 2013
  Study: helmets do not change passing safety.
  
  
• September 24, 2013
  Preview of Helmets for 2014.
  
  
• May 30, 2013
  Study finds reduced child fatality rates in states with helmet laws.
  
  
• May 9, 2013
  Bicycling magazine article misses the mark.
  
  
• March 30, 2013
  Bell recalls Full Throttle BMX helmet.
  
  
• January 16, 2013
  Our report on Helmets for 2013 is up.
  
  
• October 1, 2012
  ASTM improves bicycle helmet standard.
  
  
• May 14, 2012
  Consumer Reports publishes a bike helmet report.
  
  
• May 6, 2012
  Results of our tests of haircare substances for helmet damage.
  
  
• January 6, 2012
  Triple8 recalls "Little Tricky" child helmet for impact failure.
  
  
• December 30, 2011
  Our report on Helmets for 2012 is up.
  
  
• December 6, 2011
  Snell introduces Time Trial helmet standard
  
  
• October 19, 2011
  CPSC complaints database has a helmet case
  
  
• May 31, 2011
  Bell recalls Exodus full-face helmet for buckle problem.
  
  
• March 11, 2011
  CPSC consumer complaints database is live.
  
  
• January 3, 2011
  Helmets for 2011.
  
  
• August 10, 2010
  NYU study: Is foam a hidden danger in helmets?
  
  
• July 12, 2010
  Mackinac Island developing a community bike helmet.
  
  
• June 16, 2010
  Bicycling article on bike helmets.
  
  
• May 22, 2010
  New York Times article on bike helmets.
  
  
• February 18, 2010
  Update on CPSC.
  
  
• January 6, 2010
  Helmets for 2010.
  
  
• December 3, 2009
  Lab tests of cheap and expensive helmets.
  
  
• August 2, 2009
  Consumer Reports rates Kids' helmets.
  
  
• March 18, 2009
  Bell introduces new fit system.
  
  
• January 30, 2009
  CPSC delays testing and compliance requirements.
  
  
• December 27, 2008
  Helmets for 2009.
  
  
• September 7, 2008
  New CPSC legislation affecting helmets.
  
  
• August 19, 2008
  New CPSC statistics.
  
  
• December 18, 2007
  Specialized recalls their S-Works 2D superlight helmet.
  
  
• January 10, 2007
  Helmets for 2007 and BHSI wins an ASTM award
  
  
• September 13, 2006
  British study on passing clearances affected by helmets
  
  
• May 5, 2006
  Consumer Reports publishes a helmet article
  
  
• May 4, 2006
  Trek recalls 4,500 Anthem Elite helmets
  
  
• March 29, 2006
  CPSC released new guide: Which Helmet for Which Sport
  
  
• January 12, 2006
  Helmets for 2006 and NHTSA stats released.
  
  
• August 31, 2005
  Nearly a half million Target helmets recalled.
  
  
• August 3, 2005
  NHTSA has published a study on helmet laws.
  
  
• July 12, 2005
  Motorcyclist magazine has published an outstanding helmet article.
  
  
• May 12, 2005
  Australian study compares Snell and Australian standards.
  
  
• February 22, 2005
  Helmets for the 2005 season.
  
  
• August 19, 2004
  PTI recalls Schwinn brand toddler helmet models.
  
  
• August 7, 2004 newsletter
  Hugh Hurt raises problems with elongated helmets.
  
  
• July 29, 2004 newsletter
  Some Geartec and DBX helmets recalled.
  
  
• June, 2004 on paper
  Safe Kids Worldwide survey plus Helmets for 2004. Our last paper Update
  
  
• June 20, 2004 newsletter by email
  Consumer Reports article rating helmets.
  
  
• May 11, 2004 newsletter by email
  Safe Kids Worldwide's helmet usage survey.
  
  
• March 31, 2004 newsletter by email
  Helmets for 2004.
  
  
• September 9, 2003 newsletter by email
  CPSC discusses recalls, Safe Kids Worldwide measuring helmet use.
  
  
• August 19, 2003 newsletter by email
  Helmet fit study, ANSI adopts ASTM bike helmet standards.
  
  
• May 21, 2003 newsletter by email
  Catlike USA helmet recall.
  
  
• March 18, 2003 newsletter by email
  MOSA Sports helmet recall.
  
  
• October, 2002 newsletter by email
  Highlights of Helmets for 2003.
  
  
• July, 2002 newsletter by email
  Today Show featuring helmets on July 12th.
  
  
• June, 2002 newsletter by email
  Consumer Reports article published.
  
  
• May, 2002 newsletter by email
  "Revolutionary" new football helmet, Consumer Reports article coming.
  
  
• May, 2002 email newsletter
  New helmet campaign by Safe Kids Worldwide.
  
  
• March, 2002 newsletter by email
  New study on effectiveness of laws, DOT has a new free video, LAB supporting National Strategies.
  
  
• December, 2001 newsletter by paper and email
  Helmets for the 2002 season.
  
  
• August 20, 2001 newsletter by email only
  Skateboard helmet recall by World Industries
  
  
• July 30, 2001 newsletter by email only
  The New York Times publishes a lousy article on helmets.
  
  
• July 9, 2001 newsletter by email only
  New video on helmet fitting, two more state laws.
  
  
• January, 2001 newsletter by paper and email
  Helmets for the 2001 season, more.
  
  
• November 19, 2000 newsletter by email only
  CPSC announces three helmet recalls.
  
  
• October 31, 2000 newsletter by email only
  Head injury increases risk of later problems.
  
  
• October 9, 2000 newsletter by email only
  Variflex recalls 150,000 helmets
  
  
• April, 2000 newsletter by email or the full paper version.
  Helmets for the 2000 season.
  
  
• January, 2000 newsletter by email only
  Innovations in designs and programs for 2000.
  
  
• April, 1999 newsletter by email only
  McDonalds and CPSC launch major helmet campaign.
  
  
• January, 1999 on paper and by email
  Helmets for 1999, Bell Kinghead.
  
  
• March 11, 1998 by email only
  CPSC publishes standard.
  
  
• January 21, 1998 by email only
  CPSC briefed on draft standard.
  
  
• November, 1997
  Helmets for 1998.
  
  
• May, 1997
  Helmets for 1997, CPSC standard delayed.
  
  
• December, 1995
  Helmets for 1996, standards less an issue, Snell B-95 standard, ANSI adopts ASTM standard, European CEN standard takes effect.
  
  
• April, 1995
  BHSI website up, helmets for 1995, CPSC progress on a Federal standard, ASTM standard revised, Snell standard revised, ANSI standard withdrawn, CEN European standard progressing slowly, death of Dr. Voigt Hodgson.
  
  
• August, 1994
  Consumer Reports helmet ratings, CPSC to develop helmet standard, Bell using ASTM standard instead of Snell.
  
  
• March, 1994
  Mandatory helmet laws, multi-purpose helmets, ASTM standard, Snell news.
  
  
• June, 1993
  Helmets for 1993, ASTM standard, mandatory helmet laws.
  
  
• December, 1991
  Helmets for 1992, ANSI standard dying, ASTM standard in final ballot.
  
  
• April, 1991
  Hodgson publishes second sliding resistance study.
  
  
• November, 1990
  Helmets for 1991, Snell issues B-90 standard, CSA standard, standard comparison.
  
  
• July, 1990
  First ever Consumer Reports helmet article, sliding resistance study, Bell's market estimates, Howard County, Maryland mandatory helmet law.
  
  
• April, 1990
  Safe Kids Worldwide campaign, Wayne State sliding resistance
  study, EPP helmets.
  
  
• October, 1989
  STAPP report, standards comparison, sliding
  resistance study, Safe Kids Worldwide Campaign.
  
  
• July, 1989
  BHSI and others petition CPSC to adopt a national helmet standard.
  
  
• March, 1989
  BHSI announces documentation center, ANSI working on revision of standard.
  
  
• March, 1988
  New pamphlet, need samples, Bell Aero buckle.
  
  
• March, 1987
  NY bike show report, Giro and Echo have no-shells.
  
  
• July, 1986
  NY bike show report.
  
  
• December, 1985
  USC testing, USCF requires ANSI helmets.
  
  
• April, 1985
  ANSI and Snell standards compared, research by Dr. Voigt Hodgson.
  
  
• April, 1984
  ANSI bike helmet standard approved, a giant step.
  
  
• November, 1983
  Black-edged edition on the death of Snell's Dr. George Snively.
  We still miss him. He was our hero.
  
  
• September, 1983
  New test results since our Bicycling article was published.
  
  
• May, 1983
  Our first issue, with introductions and more.