The Helmet Update
Volume 35, #1, May 3, 2017
All issues index
Pro-Tec City Lite fails testing and
BHSI publishes dishwasher results
Consumer Reports Flunked Pro-Tec City Lite in January
Consumer Reports posted on January 17 a report that the
Pro-Tec City Lite helmet had failed it's testing. The helmet is a classic Pro-Tec skate helmet, inmolded with a thin
shell over EPS. The buckle on one sample broke in CR's testing, and on two others the strap pulled loose from the helmet
body. The article says that Pro-Tec would be recalling the helmet, but there has been no recall in the interim, and the
helmet is still on the market. If you can't see
the article on the CR web page,
you can use your print preview function to get past the pop-up box.
BHSI Publishes Final Dishwasher Test Results
We have posted our final writeup on the tests we conducted washing
helmets in two dishwashers, with photos of some of the damage. Almost all of the helmets lost stickers (important for
recalls) and fitting foam. Taped-on and glued-on shells warped and even separated completely. Even so, lab tests at
Southern Impact Research Center showed that all of the most-affected helmets still passed the flat anvil CPSC impact
test. We don't recommend washing a helmet in a dishwasher. Details and photos
on our web
page.
The Helmet Update - Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute
Randy Swart, Editor
4611 Seventh Street South
Arlington, VA 22204-1419 USA
(703) 486-0100 (voice)
(703) 486-0576 (fax)
www.helmets.org