Buy a helmet | Bike helmets & freestyle helmets with style

The helmet is the only effective protection against head injuries when cycling, skating or riding a scooter. While the helmet wearing rate among children is still at 72% , it drops to a low of just 34% among young people. Young people in particular are exposed to even greater risks than children because they are actively involved in road traffic and travel at high speeds. In Switzerland, there is no helmet requirement for cyclists and skaters; wearing a helmet is a voluntary activity.

How do you determine the right helmet size?

To determine the right helmet size you need either a flexible measuring tape or tape measure (e.g. made of textile or plastic) or a piece of string and a folding meter, a measuring tape or a ruler.

At temple height, place the measuring tape or string around your head to determine the exact head circumference in centimeters . If you are working with the string, note the head circumference and then transfer it to a measuring tape or ruler.

Size chart children's helmets

• Helmet size XXXS = head circumference cm 49/ 50
• Helmet size XXS = head circumference cm 51/52
• Helmet size XS = head circumference cm 53/54
• Helmet size S = head circumference cm 55/56
  

Size chart helmets for adults

• Helmet size XXS = head circumference cm 50/51
  
• Helmet size XS = head circumference cm 52/53
• Helmet size S = head circumference cm 54/55
• Helmet size M = head circumference 56/57
• Helmet size L = head circumference cm 58/59
• Helmet size XL = head circumference cm 60/61
  

History of the bicycle helmet

Between 1960 and 1990, so-called crash rings or crash caps were worn in bicycle races. These were simple caps with leather tubes running backwards. These were foldable and easy to store, but probably offered little protection. In the 1970s, the first helmets appeared in popular sports and after the Tour de France in 1995, in which Fabio Casartelli suffered a fatal head injury, the Union Cycliste Internationale made helmets compulsory at races.

What types of bicycle helmets are there?

Microshell helmet

The micro-shell helmet is the classic among bicycle helmets and is the most common. It has a smooth surface that improves slipping on the ground and is equipped with ventilation slots that are designed to ensure a comfortable climate despite physical exertion. Like all helmets, this model is attached to the head with a plastic strap (chin strap) around the chin.

Hard shell helmet

Hard shell helmets consist of a hard plastic shell and padding that makes them more comfortable to wear. The latest hard shell helmets are very light and are therefore increasingly used by adults and children on bikes , BMX bikes, scooters and skateboards . We currently mainly use this type of helmet because it perfectly combines style and comfort and is very popular with children and adults alike. Would you like to buy a children's bike and are you looking for a suitable children's helmet to go with it? Then a hard shell helmet is the perfect choice for you.

Soft shell helmet

The so-called softshell helmets were made from a shell made of hard foam plastic. This design is now outdated and is rarely used because the material does not slide on the ground and can therefore lead to whiplash injuries. We advise against using a softshell helmet because of these negative effects.

Other types of helmets

There are also special helmet models for different sports and areas of use. Mountain bike helmets are perfectly designed for the conditions on the downhill trail, while racing bike helmets meet the needs of fast racing bike riding on asphalt. E-bike riders are required to wear helmets, but you can use the same helmets on e-bikes as on normal bikes. No matter which type of product you choose, you should always pay attention to the low weight and high level of comfort when buying. It goes without saying that the helmet should fit the shape of your head so that it can reliably prevent injuries in the event of a fall. A bike helmet with an integrated LED light on the back also improves visibility in poor lighting conditions.

Kassensturz helmet test: Are the "Urban models" safe?

Kassensturz has tested current bicycle helmets and wanted to find out in particular whether the cool "urban models" also meet the high safety requirements. The following quote from the Kassensturz helmet test: "Of the more fashionable lifestyle helmets, Melon was particularly convincing in terms of safety. The helmet, which is available in many colorful and funny designs, was able to keep up with the "traditional" helmets not only in the safety tests, but also in the practical test."

Helmet requirement in Switzerland

There is no obligation for cyclists to wear helmets on the roads in Switzerland, but in 2012 Parliament decided to encourage helmet-wearing throughout Switzerland in order to reduce the risk of injury. This led to the campaign “ Smart people protect themselves ”, among others.

Exception: Owners of e-bikes that travel faster than 25 km/h are required to wear a bicycle helmet . These e-bike models are treated the same as mopeds under the law.

How does a bicycle helmet protect?

If a fall occurs with an impact to the head , the foam of the bicycle helmet acts like a crumple zone and absorbs part of the impact energy through compression or even breakage. This reduces the acceleration on the brain and the risk of a skull fracture. With hard-shell helmets, the impact energy is distributed over the entire helmet surface, which reduces the risk of injury. Due to the larger dimensions of the hard-shell helmet, it offers improved protection against abrasions and lacerations in the helmet area.

How do you wear a bicycle helmet correctly?

1. Only a helmet that is worn can provide good protection. We recommend that you wear a protective helmet at all times when cycling, skateboarding, riding a scooter and doing any other action sports.
2. Always fasten the helmet firmly to your head using the chin strap . This is the only way the helmet can provide the necessary protection in the event of a fall.
3. Choose a suitable model that fits the size and shape of your head.

The helmet’s greatest enemy is vanity

The advantages of a bicycle helmet are obvious, but many young people and adults still don't wear bicycle helmets when they ride their bikes or scooters. The main reason for this is probably vanity , as many people still think that helmets are uncool. The new freestyle helmets, however, are ushering in a new era in this regard. They are much more beautifully designed than the well-known bicycle helmets and come in attractive shapes and trendy colors. Thanks to their extremely low weight and clever construction with ventilation slots, they are also very comfortable to wear. No matter what sport you do, there is sure to be a type of helmet that suits your style and shows you in the best light. You are spoiled for choice with helmets in countless colors, shapes and designs ! It is to be hoped that bicycle helmets will become as popular in the future as ski helmets in winter sports. These are not compulsory either, but it seems that 95% of winter sports enthusiasts wear them on their own initiative. Anyone who doesn't wear a helmet when skiing in the mountains is almost punished with suspicious looks these days.

Conclusion on buying a helmet

Wearing a safe helmet when playing sports and in your free time is almost as natural these days as wearing hiking boots in the mountains. Or so you would think. However, the latest figures from the Federal Office of Accidents (BFU) show that in Switzerland only 50% of cyclists wear a helmet. This proportion is considerably higher among children, but one in four children ride their bikes without a helmet. The risk of accidents is particularly high for children and a helmet can very easily prevent many dangerous head injuries. There are no statistical figures for the fun sports areas of skating, scootering, BMX and inline skating in Switzerland. But here too there is probably still room for improvement in head protection. It is understandable that style and appearance play a big role, especially for children and teenagers. That is why we recommend hard shell models, for example from Melon Helmets , which come in particularly cool designs and are also very comfortable to wear.

Buy a bike helmet at Funwheel

Funwheel is the Swiss specialist for roller sports and fun sports and offers a range of sports equipment such as balance bikes, skateboards and scooters as well as the appropriate protective equipment. Bicycle helmets and scooter helmets minimise the risk of serious head injuries and also offer protection against UV rays and other weather influences. Thanks to ventilation slots, ventilation is excellent and the low weight ensures a high level of comfort. We offer a wide range of bicycle helmets from various manufacturers, which are just as suitable for skating or riding scooters. Children, teenagers and adults alike can get a helmet with a perfect fit. We stock all products in our Swiss warehouse and ship orders placed before 3 p.m. on the same working day by A-Post . Are you unsure which helmet model best suits your needs? Our support team will be happy to provide you with personal advice, tips and further information at info@funwheel.ch.