Will the new helmet safety standards affect my bike insurance?
The current ECE 22.05 safety standard for motorbike helmets is due to be replaced by a much stricter standard that could shake up the industry.
The likelihood is that helmets will become more expensive, but also safer as a result, but some were interested to know how, if at all, it would affect their insurance cover.
We spoke to Robert Balls from Adrian Flux to find out what people need to know:
“Dealers will have three years to continue selling the 22.05 as the new helmets gradually come into supply,” he explained.
“Customer’s existing 22.05 helmets will still remain legal to use and so riders will not have to buy new lids and these will still be covered under the helmets and leathers insurance.
“As the old helmets will remain legal to use there will be no impact on personal injury claims until such time the law changes to make the old 22.05 helmets illegal to use, and there is currently no sign of that.”
What will the ECE 22.06 changes mean?
The new test will be much closer to the Government’s Sharp rating system in that the helmet will be subjected to a wider range of speeds and impact angles. Cleverer sensors will also be employed to measure the twisting force of an angled impact (something linked to brain injuries) meaning helmets with a slip plane should theoretically perform better.
The new test will also test official accessories that can be purchased with a helmet. Any optional communications, camera or Bluetooth headsets will be tested to make sure they don’t compromise helmet safety.
The changes are expected to come into place by June 2020, meaning the older helmets will disappear in summer 2023.
To read more about motorcycle helmet regulations see our article on tinted visors the law for motorcyclists here.
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