India is the largest two-wheeler market in the entire world. Roads are dominated by two-wheelers of all shapes and sizes. However, the affordable mobility that two-wheelers offer over cars or SUVs makes riders (and pillions) some of the most vulnerable road users. Having two less wheels and no 'safety shell' around you, there's always some amount of risk involved when riding on a motorcycle or a scooter.
The risk can be reduced significantly by wearing proper safety gear while riding. While someone riding a high-end sportbike, or even a mid-range motorcycle is typically expected to be able to afford proper gear, the same would be unjust for the majority of two-wheeler riders in India that currently ride a commuter motorcycle/scooter not because they want to, but they have to.
However, one can certainly not argue against wearing a helmet while riding a two-wheeler. According to Section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, all riders above the age of four need to wear a protective headgear while riding a two-wheeler of any class or description. For the same reason, all two-wheeler manufacturers offer one complimentary helmet on the purchase of a new motorcycle or scooter, all across India.
As per a report by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), a total of 46,593 persons were killed due to non-wearing of helmets in the year 2021, out of which 32,877 (70.6%) persons were drivers and 13,716 (29.4%) were passengers. Additionally, non-wearing of helmets caused injuries to 93,763 people in the same year.
"In the event of a road crash involving a two-wheeler driver and a pillion rider, helmets are the most important safety equipment. As the first and sole line of defence against head injuries, helmets help ensure against cranial and spine trauma. Unlike those in a four-wheelers, two-wheeler users are comparatively significantly unprotected from road crash injuries owing to the absence of other safety equipment like seat belts and airbags and the structural security that the shell of a motorised four wheeler provides against crash impact. Keeping this in mind, helmets are an absolute must for everyone using a motorised two-wheeler," said Karuna Raina, Director, Public Policy and Research, SaveLIFE Foundation, highlighting the importance of helmets.
How do you choose the right helmet?1. Certification
The most important aspect to consider while purchasing a new helmet is its certification. MoRTH made ISI-marked helmets mandatory for riding two-wheelers in India. The ISI mark can be found either at the back or on the side of any helmet that is manufactured in India. Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) puts all helmets under a range of tests, and then certifies it with the ISI mark. If a helmet does not have an ISI certification, its safety aspect cannot be ascertained since it has not been tested by BIS. Hence, such a helmet could put your life at risk, and should be avoided in all cases.
"One should be mindful of buying certified ISI-mark helmets capable of providing the required protection. Poor quality helmets have been seen to crack under pressure during road crashes and unfastened ones falling off and away, thereby failing to provide safety against injuries, possible life-long disabilities and even fatalities," added Raina.
Do note that imported helmets will not carry the ISI marking, which makes them illegal for road use in India. On a similar note, take a look at a few other certifications to look out for on helmets -
- DOTDOT certification is applicable for helmets sold in the United States of America, and is overlooked and enforced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, the DOT certification is often criticised since it works on the principle of self-certification, wherein the helmet manufacturers test their helmets by themselves and label them as DOT certified without any interference or monitoring by the government agency.
- ECEDeriving it name from the United Nations' ‘Economic Commission of Europe’, the ECE helmet safety standard is mandatory in over 50 countries. Moreover, ECE certification is approved for almost all competitive motorsport events overlooked by bodies such as AMA, WERA, FIM, CCS, Formula USA, MotoGP and so on. The latest iteration of the certification is ECE 22.06, and can be found on more expensive helmets as well as imported ones.
- SnellThe Snell Certification is named after William Snell, a famous race car driver who died after a crash owing to head injuries. Unlike ECE and DOT, which are government bodies for helmet certification, the Snell Memorial Foundation is a private, non-profit, independent organization which works towards enhancing rider or driver safety by facilitating creation and testing of better, safer helmets. Snell being a non-profit organisation, the certification is voluntary for helmet makers, unlike DOT or ECE, which are mandatory.
2. PricingPricing is, of course, key for any purchase. Depending on your budget, you can narrow down on the helmets for yourself. For reference, ISI rated helmets can be purchased for as low as Rs 700 from Amazon, while both ISI & ECE certified helmets would start from about Rs 3,500. It is always recommended to go for a branded helmet from a renowned brand to avoid low-quality counterfeit knock-offs.
3. Type & Design
With a budget in mind, one needs to choose the type of helmet required, depending upon the usage. The various kinds of helmets in the market include half-face helmets, modular helmets, off-road helmets, full-face helmets, and so on. After choosing the helmet type, you can choose from the various designs and colour schemes on offer, which also includes the visor. A visor can either be clear, smoked, dark, or also tinted.
4. FitOften ignored by helmet buyers, the helmet fit is one of the most important aspects to consider while buying a new one. We've all seen dangling helmets on two-wheeler riders' heads, but that will probably do more harm than good in the unfortunate event of a crash. A helmet should snugly fit on your head and move along with it. A common practise while trying on a new helmet is to shake your head rapidly. If you can feel your head moving inside the helmet, it's certainly not the right fit for you.
TOI Auto urges all its readers to wear a branded, good-quality ISI certified helmet while riding a two-wheeler, and also follow all other traffic rules.
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