Whether you are cruising through the city on a Vespa, tackling daily traffic with an electric YDRA, or taking on the better corners with your Benelli, your helmet is your best friend. But when it’s time for a new helmet, sometimes you can’t see the wood for the trees. You read terms like 'ECE 22.06 approved' and before you know it, you’re dizzy from the technical jargon.
Don’t panic, don’t lose your head! In this blog post, we will explain in plain language what the safety standards for motorcycle and scooter helmets entail and what to look out for in your next purchase.
Why is that ECE standard so important?
A helmet is not just a cool accessory to keep the wind out of your eyes. It is a crucial piece of safety equipment that can save your life in a fraction of a second. In Europe – and therefore also in Belgium – you are legally required to wear a helmet that meets the ECE standard (Economic Commission for Europe).
The most recent and strictest standard is the ECE 22.06 standard. Helmets with this certification (recognisable by the label with the 'E' in a circle on the chin strap) are independently tested in laboratories before they can even hit the market.
During this certification, helmets are subjected to extreme tests:
Impact absorption: Hoeveel kracht wordt er doorgegeven aan je schedel bij een val? Bij de 22.06 norm wordt er zelfs gekeken naar impact vanuit verschillende hoeken en rotationele krachten (de manier waarop je hoofd draait bij een glijpartij).
Penetration resistance: Can a sharp object penetrate the helmet shell?
Visor and retention tests: Does the chin strap stay securely fastened and does your visor not shatter if a stone hits it?
⚠️ Warning: Be careful with online 'DOT' helmets!
You may have seen a beautiful, incredibly cheap helmet online on a foreign webshop, stating that it is DOT certified . Be very careful with this!
DOT (Department of Transportation) is the American safety standard. Although these helmets are permitted in the United States, this certification is not valid in Europe. If you ride on public roads in Belgium with a helmet that only has a DOT sticker and no European ECE mark, you are legally in violation and therefore not correctly insured in the event of an accident.
So do not be tempted online by American import helmets or vague certifications. Always look for that ECE label in Belgium.
Strict standards, excellent price/quality ratio
At United Scooters, we take your safety seriously. We make no compromises when it comes to protection. That is why we only sell helmets that meet the strictest and most recent safety standards, such as the ECE 22.06 certification.
Maar topveiligheid hoeft gelukkig niet onbetaalbaar te zijn. Wij selecteren ons assortiment ontzettend streng op een excellent price/quality ratio. Whether you are looking for a stylish, affordable jet helmet for the city, or a high-quality system helmet for longer rides; you will always get maximum protection from us for a fair price.
Time for a new, safe helmet?
How long has it been since you bought your current helmet? Manufacturers recommend replacing your helmet every 3 to 5 years, as the shock-absorbing layer hardens over time (and due to sweat and UV radiation) and loses its effectiveness. Even if you have never fallen with it!
Feel free to visit our showroom in Halle. Ask one of the other colleagues in the shop; we will gladly check if your current helmet is still safe and help you find a fresh, ECE-approved model that fits perfectly with your head and your scooter.
Make sure you ride safely, and keep that head intact!