Safety remains the top priority for every cyclist, whether it's for daily commutes in Paris, an early morning bike ride through Montrouge, or long rides around Versailles, Saint-Cloud, or Fontainebleau. A helmet is therefore essential: it's the piece of equipment that can prevent serious injuries and protect your health in the event of a fall. How does a bike helmet work, and what criteria should you consider when choosing one? We'll explain everything.
Summary :
Why wear a bicycle helmet?
Types of bicycle helmet construction
Bicycle helmet certification
Types of bicycle helmets
How to choose your bike helmet
Bike helmet size
Conclusion
Why wear a bicycle helmet?
Even in the city, a cyclist typically rides at between 15 and 25 km/h, and speeds can increase significantly on a downhill track. At that speed, a head impact can have serious or even fatal consequences. A reliable helmet considerably reduces the intensity of the impact and limits the risk of serious injury. It absorbs the impact energy and distributes it across the entire surface, thus reducing the pressure on the head and spine. The visible marks on a helmet after a fall clearly demonstrate that this investment was well worthwhile.
Types of bicycle helmet construction
The base of a helmet is a lightweight, impact-absorbing foam covered by an outer plastic shell. The shell disperses the impact energy over a larger surface area, while the foam deforms and dampens the impulse, limiting its transmission to the head. Two constructions dominate: In-Mold and Hardshell.
In-Mold Helmets
In an in-mold construction, the plastic shell is directly fused to the foam under high pressure. Because the outer shell is thinner, the helmet is significantly lighter than a hardshell model. Another advantage: in the event of an impact, the deformation is clearly visible, allowing you to assess the intensity of the impact that the helmet absorbed.
The In-Mold helmet also offers excellent ventilation thanks to its numerous vents: perfect for summer, and easily balanced in winter with a bandana or fleece liner. Its versatility makes it the most popular choice among urban, road, and mountain bike cyclists in France.
Hardshell Helmets
In a hardshell construction, the shock-absorbing foam is covered by a rigid ABS plastic shell. This type of helmet is robust, durable, and retains its attractive appearance for a long time. However, it is heavier and can conceal internal damage after an impact. Hardshell helmets are particularly popular in more aggressive mountain biking and BMX disciplines.
Bicycle helmet certification
In France, all bicycle helmets must meet the EN 1078 safety standard. Another, less common standard, NTA 8776, concerns helmets for fast e-bikes capable of reaching 45 km/h.
To obtain this certification, helmets are tested under loads simulating bicycle falls. In the laboratory, the construction's strength and shock absorption capacity are verified. Buying a helmet from Routes and Roads guarantees that it is certified.
Additional protection technologies
A tangential impact can be just as dangerous as a direct one. That's why many brands incorporate additional protective systems like MIPS, inspired by the brain's natural protective mechanisms. A thin layer of MIPS, placed between the helmet and the liner, allows for slight movement of the helmet upon impact, aiming to reduce the rotational force transmitted to the head. This technology is now found on most sport helmets.
Each cycling discipline has its own specific requirements in terms of comfort and support, so the choice of helmet should be made according to your style of practice.
Types of bicycle helmets
Helmets are classified by intended use and design. The most common categories include road, mountain biking, gravel, and commuting models. That said, there's nothing stopping you from wearing a full-face helmet in the city if it's comfortable for you. Therefore, we'll focus on the most obvious way to distinguish helmets: their design.
Open-face helmets
These are lightweight and well-ventilated models, suitable for road, city, gravel, or mountain biking. The differences lie in the shape, the presence or absence of a visor, and the robustness of the components. Road helmets are more rounded and without a visor; mountain bike models have a removable rigid visor; touring versions offer smaller vents and a longer, more durable visor.
Hardshell Helmets
They feature the Hardshell construction mentioned earlier. Their shape is rounder and the ventilation system is concealed. They are designed for performing tricks and stunts: dirt jumping, skate parks, BMX, street riding… but remain perfectly suited for commuting by bike.
It's important to remember that a strong impact can damage the internal foam without leaving any visible marks on the shell. After a fall with a serious impact, it's best to replace it.
Full-Face Helmets
These helmets resemble enduro motorcycle models, but are lighter and better ventilated. They offer full jaw protection and are perfect for extreme downhill disciplines and big jumps. They are essential for downhill, freeride, enduro, 4X, or on technical pumptracks.
How to choose your bike helmet
In the Paris region, cycling styles vary greatly: leisurely rides along the boulevards, fast outings towards Versailles, forest trails in Meudon or Montmorency, or BMX tracks in Saint-Denis or Nanterre. Therefore, your helmet should be appropriate for your riding style and activity level.
For the city and daily commutes
For getting around Paris and its inner suburbs — from Boulogne to Montreuil — lightweight open-face helmets or stylish hardshell models are perfect.
The open-face helmet offers the best ventilation, ideal for warm weather or commuting by bike. The hardshell is a bit heavier but provides excellent protection at low and medium speeds and blends perfectly with urban style; many choose it precisely for its look.
For trail running and nature outings
Around Meudon, Saint-Cloud, or in the Montmorency forest, the terrain is uneven, dotted with roots, branches, and steep descents. A lightweight, open-face, in-mold helmet with a rigid visor is therefore the most suitable option. It offers better protection for the face from branches, remains stable during jumps and vibrations, and ensures good ventilation on ascents.
For dirt jumping, skateparks in Saint-Denis or La Défense, or street skating, a rigid hardshell helmet remains the best choice: it withstands impacts against ramps or concrete very well and provides excellent head support during rotations. Despite less ventilation, this type of helmet remains the safety standard in these disciplines.
For downhill, freeride and enduro
If you ride in Les Gets, Morzine, Les Deux Alpes or on local DH spots, a full-face helmet is a must.
Bike helmet size
The correct size can only be determined by trying it on. Measure your head circumference: your size should fall within the middle of the helmet's adjustment range. Avoid choosing a size that is too small: the helmet could become too tight after several hours of cycling. Shake your head, lean forward: a well-fitting helmet remains stable, straight on your head, without being too tight or tilting.
Conclusion
You now know the essential criteria for choosing the right cycling helmet. A good fitting and the advice of Routes and Roads' experts will help you find the most comfortable model. Enjoy choosing your gear!