This paper mainly describes the German Stiftung Warentest activities for testing bicycle helmets. In the first series, 18 helmets were tested on shock absorbing capacity and the retention system performance. Both criteria were also used in the second series. The comparative test covering 35 helmets for adult pedal cyclists was used in the second series. The results of both test series show that about 30% of the helmets could be rated as "good". The percentage of helmets that was rated as "satisfactory" in the second series was higher than that of the first series. Half of the helmets tested in the first series were tested as "unsatisfactory". This high number was not found in the second series. An important conclusion is that especially the retention system performance requirements should be rechecked carefully.
Samenvatting