BHSI

Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute

The Helmet Update Newsletter

Summary: BHSI has a periodic email newsletter called The Helmet Update, devoted to new developments in bicycle helmets, helmet standards, laws and promotion campaigns. The Update is emailed free. The messages are short, with links to more detail. To be added to the list just email us.

Note that the links have been deleted for newsletters before 2020 to prevent anyone mistaking them for current news. You may still find them on the Wayback Machine.

  • July 16, 2025 – Va Tech and Consumer Reports have updated ratings
  • December 16, 2024 – ASTM bike helmet standard improved with 275 peak g maximum
  • September 10, 2024 – Australian helmet testing site is amazing
  • May 29, 2024 – KAV 3D printed helmets perform well in lesser impacts
  • January 12, 2024 – Retrospec recalls 72,000 Scout helmets
  • January 5, 2024 again – Sweden’s Hovding air bag helmet company folds
  • January 5, 2024 – Bell recalls Slope adult skate-style helmet
  • August 29, 2023 – CPSC helmet recalls are evolving
  • June 9, 2023 – Australian study on helmets and humanization.
  • May 4, 2023 – New list of best-performing helmets.
  • April 4, 2023 – Giro/Bell recalled the Merit model in February.
  • March 10, 2023 Recalls of TureClos and Ouwoer Kids helmets
  • January 31, 2023 – Serbian study indicates drivers pass helmeted riders closer.
  • January 20, 2023 – More Sakar helmets recalled.
  • October 31, 2022 – Punisher adult helmets recalled.
  • July 19, 2022 – Tony Hawk Silver Metallic skate-style helmets recalled.
  • March 24, 2022 – Dimensions Bluetooth and Segway Ninebot helmets recalled.
  • February 1, 2022 – Snell publishes rotational energy research.
  • November 10, 2021 – Albany County helmets for ebikes law, Abus helmets recalled.
  • September 6, 2021 – TurboSke toddler helmets recalled.
  • June 21, 2021 – VA Tech testing finds 5 Star helmet for $7.45.
  • April 17, 2021 – Consumer Reports publishes a new helmet page.
  • February 24, 2021 – Bee Free size small helmets recalled
  • November 30, 2020 – Any Volume helmets recalled
  • August 29, 2020 – Morpher and Woom helmets recalled
  • August 12, 2020 – Sweet Protection recalls Ripper helmets
  • April 11, 2020 – Consumer Reports ratings – Cleaning COVID-19
  • ————Updates below this line have been retired.———
  • January 14, 2020 – Helmets for 2020
  • December 13, 2019 – Rideshare company solves helmet problem
  • July 27, 2019 – Will there be a helmet class action lawsuit?
  • July 3, 2019 – Consumer Reports flunks three helmets
  • May 7, 2019 – Consumer Reports rates rotational energy management first criterion
  • February 11, 2019 – Australian study finds all-ages helmet laws have cut cyclist fatalities in half
  • December 14, 2018 – Virginia Tech publishes new helmet ratings.
  • October 1, 2018 – Lazer recalls four helmet models.
  • June 22, 2018 – Virginia Tech publishes new bicycle helmet ratings.
  • June 15, 2018 – Counterfeit helmet seller convicted.
  • May 29, 2018 – Testing by Snell officers shows no performance gain with MIPS.
  • March 15, 2018 – Louis Garneau and Lazer recalls.
  • March 10, 2018 – Hövding petitions for exemption from CPSC helmet standard.
  • February 6, 2018 – Helmets for 2018.
  • September 25, 2017 – Pro-Tec recalls their City Lite and Street Lite models.
  • May 3, 2017 – Pro-Tec City Lite fails testing and BHSI publishes dishwasher test results.
  • December 1, 2016 – Helmets for 2017 preview.
  • November 27, 2016 – Concussion trends and a jaw injury study.
  • September 1, 2016 – Recall of SAHN Classic helmets.
  • June 28, 2016 – Consumer Reports has published a helmet article.
  • May 16, 2016 – Recall of Schwinn infant helmet sold at Target
  • April 13, 2016 – Recall of Rollerblade Maxxum skate helmet
  • January 29, 2016 – Study blames bike helmets for risk compensation
  • December 30, 2015 – Helmets for 2016 review
  • September 27, 2015 – Europe publishes new helmet study
  • September 22, 2015 – Preview: Helmets for 2016
  • May 31, 2015 – Helmets proven to perform for decades
  • May 1, 2015 – Consumer Reports 2015 helmet article
  • February 13, 2015 – Scott Vanish Evo helmet recall
  • December 22, 2014 – Consumer Reports is breaking buckles again
  • December 15, 2014 – Helmets for 2015
  • December 12, 2014 – Uvex helmet recall
  • October 15, 2014 – Anti-concussion helmet
  • September 17, 2014 – Interbike report – helmets for 2015
  • February 22, 2014 – Fun helmet safety video from Manitoba.
  • December 18, 2013 – Helmets for 2014 is up.
  • October 7, 2013 – Study: helmets do not change passing safety.
  • September 24, 2013 – Preview of Helmets for 2014.
  • May 30, 2013 – Study finds reduced child fatality rates in states with helmet laws.
  • May 9, 2013 – Bicycling magazine article misses the mark.
  • March 30, 2013 – Bell recalls Full Throttle BMX helmet.
  • January 16, 2013 – Our report on Helmets for 2013 is up.
  • October 1, 2012 – ASTM improves bicycle helmet standard.
  • May 14, 2012 – Consumer Reports publishes a bike helmet report.
  • May 6, 2012 – Results of our tests of haircare substances for helmet damage.
  • January 6, 2012 – Triple8 recalls “Little Tricky” child helmet for impact failure.
  • December 30, 2011 – Our report on Helmets for 2012 is up.
  • December 6, 2011 – Snell introduces Time Trial helmet standard
  • October 19, 2011 – CPSC complaints database has a helmet case
  • May 31, 2011 – Bell recalls Exodus full-face helmet for buckle problem.
  • March 11, 2011 – CPSC consumer complaints database is live.
  • January 3, 2011 – Helmets for 2011.
  • August 10, 2010 – NYU study: Is foam a hidden danger in helmets?
  • July 12, 2010 – Mackinac Island developing a community bike helmet.
  • June 16, 2010 – Bicycling article on bike helmets.
  • May 22, 2010 – New York Times article on bike helmets.
  • February 18, 2010 – Update on CPSC.
  • January 6, 2010 – Helmets for 2010.
  • December 3, 2009 – Lab tests of cheap and expensive helmets.
  • August 2, 2009 – Consumer Reports rates Kids’ helmets.
  • March 18, 2009 – Bell introduces new fit system.
  • January 30, 2009 – CPSC delays testing and compliance requirements.
  • December 27, 2008 – Helmets for 2009.
  • September 7, 2008 – New CPSC legislation affecting helmets.
  • August 19, 2008 – New CPSC statistics.
  • December 18, 2007 – Specialized recalls their S-Works 2D superlight helmet.
  • January 10, 2007 – Helmets for 2007 and BHSI wins an ASTM award
  • September 13, 2006 – British study on passing clearances affected by helmets
  • May 5, 2006 – Consumer Reports publishes a helmet article
  • May 4, 2006 – Trek recalls 4,500 Anthem Elite helmets
  • March 29, 2006 – CPSC released new guide: Which Helmet for Which Sport
  • January 12, 2006 – Helmets for 2006 and NHTSA stats released.
  • August 31, 2005 – Nearly a half million Target helmets recalled.
  • August 3, 2005 – NHTSA has published a study on helmet laws.
  • July 12, 2005 – Motorcyclist magazine has published an outstanding helmet article.
  • May 12, 2005 – Australian study compares Snell and Australian standards.
  • February 22, 2005 – Helmets for the 2005 season.
  • August 19, 2004 – PTI recalls Schwinn brand toddler helmet models.
  • August 7, 2004 newsletter – Hugh Hurt raises problems with elongated helmets.
  • July 29, 2004 newsletter – Some Geartec and DBX helmets recalled.
  • June, 2004 on paper – Safe Kids Worldwide survey plus Helmets for 2004. Our last paper Update
  • June 20, 2004 newsletter by email – Consumer Reports article rating helmets.
  • May 11, 2004 newsletter by email – Safe Kids Worldwide’s helmet usage survey.
  • March 31, 2004 newsletter by email – Helmets for 2004.
  • September 9, 2003 newsletter by email – CPSC discusses recalls, Safe Kids Worldwide measuring helmet use.
  • August 19, 2003 newsletter by email – Helmet fit study, ANSI adopts ASTM bike helmet standards.
  • May 21, 2003 newsletter by email – Catlike USA helmet recall.
  • March 18, 2003 newsletter by email – MOSA Sports helmet recall.
  • October, 2002 newsletter by email – Highlights of Helmets for 2003.
  • July, 2002 newsletter by email – Today Show featuring helmets on July 12th.
  • June, 2002 newsletter by email – Consumer Reports article published.
  • May, 2002 newsletter by email – “Revolutionary” new football helmet, Consumer Reports article coming.
  • May, 2002 email newsletter – New helmet campaign by Safe Kids Worldwide.
  • March, 2002 newsletter by email – New study on effectiveness of laws, DOT has a new free video, LAB supporting National Strategies.
  • December, 2001 newsletter by paper and email – Helmets for the 2002 season.
  • August 20, 2001 newsletter by email only – Skateboard helmet recall by World Industries
  • July 30, 2001 newsletter by email only – The New York Times publishes a lousy article on helmets.
  • July 9, 2001 newsletter by email only – New video on helmet fitting, two more state laws.
  • January, 2001 newsletter by paper and email – Helmets for the 2001 season, more.
  • November 19, 2000 newsletter by email only – CPSC announces three helmet recalls.
  • October 31, 2000 newsletter by email only – Head injury increases risk of later problems.
  • October 9, 2000 newsletter by email only – Variflex recalls 150,000 helmets
  • April, 2000 newsletter by email – or the full paper version. – Helmets for the 2000 season.
  • January, 2000 newsletter by email only – Innovations in designs and programs for 2000.
  • April, 1999 newsletter by email only – McDonalds and CPSC launch major helmet campaign.
  • January, 1999 on paper and by email – Helmets for 1999, Bell Kinghead.
  • March 11, 1998 by email only – CPSC publishes standard.
  • January 21, 1998 by email only – CPSC briefed on draft standard.
  • November, 1997 – Helmets for 1998.
  • May, 1997 – Helmets for 1997, CPSC standard delayed.
  • December, 1995 – Helmets for 1996, standards less an issue, Snell B-95 standard, ANSI adopts ASTM standard, European CEN standard takes effect.
  • April, 1995 – BHSI website up, helmets for 1995, CPSC progress on a Federal standard, ASTM standard revised, Snell standard
  • revised, ANSI standard withdrawn, CEN European standard progressing slowly, death of Dr. Voigt Hodgson.
  • August, 1994 – Consumer Reports helmet ratings, CPSC to develop helmet standard, Bell using ASTM standard instead of Snell.
  • March, 1994 – Mandatory helmet laws, multi-purpose helmets, ASTM standard, Snell news.
  • June, 1993 – Helmets for 1993, ASTM standard, mandatory helmet laws.
  • December, 1991 –
  • Helmets for 1992, ANSI standard dying, ASTM standard in final ballot.
  • April, 1991 – Hodgson publishes second sliding resistance study.
  • November, 1990 – Helmets for 1991, Snell issues B-90 standard, CSA standard, standard comparison.
  • July, 1990 – First ever Consumer Reports helmet article, sliding resistance study, Bell’s market estimates, Howard County, Maryland mandatory helmet law.
  • April, 1990 – Safe Kids Worldwide campaign, Wayne State sliding resistance
  • study, EPP helmets.
  • October, 1989 – STAPP report, standards comparison, sliding resistance study, Safe Kids Worldwide Campaign.
  • July, 1989 – BHSI and others petition CPSC to adopt a national helmet standard.
  • March, 1989 – BHSI announces documentation center, ANSI working on revision of standard.
  • March, 1988 – New pamphlet, need samples, Bell Aero buckle.
  • March, 1987 – NY bike show report, Giro and Echo have no-shells.
  • July, 1986 – NY bike show report.
  • December, 1985 – USC testing, USCF requires ANSI helmets.
  • April, 1985 – ANSI and Snell standards compared, research by Dr. Voigt Hodgson.
  • April, 1984 – ANSI bike helmet standard approved, a giant step.
  • November, 1983 – Black-edged edition on the death of Snell’s Dr. George Snively. We still miss him. He was our hero.
  • September, 1983 – New test results since our Bicycling article was published.
  • May, 1983 – Our first issue, with introductions and more.

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