Can You Wear A BMX Helmet On The Road? (Answered)
Do you wonder if BMX helmets are suitable for use on roads? Is it safe to do so? This article answers both these questions and more.
BMX helmets differ from regular bike helmets because they are designed to offer the best protection against impact from failed bike stunts or tricks.
Hence, it is normal to wonder if they can also serve in other terrains and different riding conditions.
Yes, you can wear a BMX helmet on the road. However, BMX helmets are bulky, and you might feel very uncomfortable wearing them over long distances on the road. In addition, BMX helmets have different construction and shape from regular bicycle helmets. Normal bicycle helmets are lighter, sleeker, and much more impact-sensitive.
In this article, I will answer if you can wear a BMX helmet on the road and whether or not BMX riders need helmets.
Also, I will answer if bikers must wear helmets on the road or off-road and explain why.
Furthermore, I will highlight and explain the difference between stunt and road helmets.
Do BMX Riders Need Helmets?
Yes, BMX riders do need helmets. However, you should only engage in activities such as BMX racing or perform bike stunts and tricks if you wear a proper BMX helmet.
This is because these activities are dangerous and can lead to potentially fatal accidents without good protective gear.
Helmets protect a rider’s head and neck regions from impact while racing or performing stunts without obstructing the rider’s vision.
Due to the high risk of falling while riders perform stunts or race with their bikes, wearing a helmet is standard practice that should always be a priority.
Below are a few common protective gears BMX riders wear:
#1. Helmets
BMX helmets have evolved more over the years. Specific improvements have been added to increase safety, efficiency, and quality.
Newer improvements in bike helmet technology now allow for better ventilation for riders without compromising protection strength and quality.
The significant difference between BMX helmets and regular bicycle helmets is that BMX helmets are built to withstand multiple heavier impacts to the head.
This is unlike normal bicycle helmets that might break upon heavier impacts exposing the skull to fractures and other complications. Nevertheless, helmets are an essential accessory for every rider.
#2. Hand Gloves
For riders, hand gloves serve various functions. Aside from providing some protection to your hands in case of accidents, gloves also help keep your fingers warm in cold weather.
The best gloves are made of synthetic materials like spandex. They should be durable and feel comfortable when you wear them.
Gloves also give riders more friction and grip on the bikes while performing stunts and tricks.
#3. Ankle Guards & Knee Pads
These pads protect your ankles and knees from chafing. Chafing is among the common incidents riders experience while racing or performing stunts.
Failure to use ankle and knee pads can result in a knee or ankle dislocation, fracturing or worse ailments.
Shin pads are also a great additional benefit for riders. Some shin pads have built-in ankle and knee pads. Shin pads are thick and help absorb impact to protected areas of your body.
Are Bikers Required to Wear Helmets on the Road?
Bikers aren’t required to wear helmets on the road. However, the decision largely depends on your country’s local or federal bicycle helmet laws.
While wearing helmets in some countries may not be compulsory, you should wear them for health and safety reasons.
Also, many BMX parks and competitions require riders to wear a helmet to compete for safety reasons.
Failure to do this can lead to not participating in the competition at all or immediate disqualification. In the United States, bike helmet laws are subject to your state.
Most states make it mandatory, while some restrict mandatoriness to children only. And in some states, helmet use is not restricted at all.
Therefore, in those states, you can either choose to wear a helmet while riding on the road or not. Examples of such states are:
- Illinois
- Nebraska
- Iowa
- Idaho
Below is a table that highlights countries that either do not restrict the use of helmets, restrict mandatoriness to only children or assert mandatory legal restrictions.
| Country | Helmet Law |
|---|---|
| Brazil | No legal restrictions |
| Bolivia | No legal restrictions |
| Australia | Mandatory |
| Namibia | Mandatory |
| Japan | Mandatoriness restricted to only children |
| Russia | No legal restrictions |
| India | No legal restrictions |
| China | No legal restrictions |
| France | Mandatoriness restricted to only children |
Are Helmets Mandatory Off-road?
For safety reasons, you should always wear a helmet when riding off-road. However, your helmet type can significantly affect your comfort level.
Most cyclists prefer not to wear helmets while riding off-road because of how uncomfortable it can make them feel.
But there are better approaches than this. For example, several helmets are suitable for specific off-road activities.
Wearing the correct helmet for a particular off-road ride will make a huge difference in comfort levels. Examples of various off-road helmets include:
#1. Downhill Mountain Bike Helmets
Downhill Mountain Bikes have a similar design to dirt track BMX racing helmets. However, mountain bike helmets have a higher back cut than BMX racing helmets.
The essence of this design is that downhill riders usually tilt their heads upwards to compensate for facing downhill.
Wearing a helmet with a very low rear is not ideal in those sorts of situations. Downhill Mountain Bike Helmets also feature a jaw guard to protect the lower part of the head.
#2. Cross Country Mountain Bike Helmets
Cross-country mountain bike helmets are the most common type of off-road helmets. Their rear has a lower cut compared to standard road bike helmets.
These helmets typically have more ventilation holes and are sleeker in shape in comparison to BMX helmets.
Cross-country mountain bike helmets are bulky and stand a bit higher off the head. Therefore, they are different from lighter, less bulky road helmets.
Even though they look sleeker, Mountain Bike Helmets may not be aerodynamically better than road helmets.
Are Stunt Helmets the Same as Road Helmets?
No, Stunt helmets are not the same as road bike helmets. Stunt helmets protect the head while riders perform bike stunts and tricks.
However, road helmets are specifically designed for road bike riders and road riding. They are lighter and sleeker compared to typical stunt helmets.
A broader description of the difference between road helmets and stunt helmets lies below:
#1. Road Bike Helmets
Road bikes feature aerodynamic designs that make them lighter and sleeker with better ventilation making them ideal for road use.
The ventilation holes prevent heat build-up and sweating for riders while riding.
Stunt bikes have fewer ventilation holes and aren’t as aerodynamically suited for long distances as road bike helmets.
#2. Stunt Helmets
Stunt helmets like BMX helmets are thicker and sturdier than road bike helmets. Stunt helmets protect the head from impact while performing bike stunts and tricks.
Stunt helmets have a distinctive shape and design that offers better protection for stunt bikers upon impact or falling.
Stunt helmets can also withstand multiple impacts without cracking or breaking.
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