Safe Routes Iowa Northland Region

Have you been following the fun and challenges the Cedar Valley Youth Cycling team is having on RAGBRAI?!?!

🚴 Not all bike helmets are created equal. Here's why it matters.

A standard bicycle helmet is designed for traditional cycling speeds and should have a CPSC certification label inside (required for helmets sold in the U.S.).

An eBike helmet is built with higher-speed impacts in mind. While many still meet CPSC standards, the best eBike helmets also carry one or more of these certifications:

✅ NTA 8776 – Specifically designed for eBike riders, tested for higher-speed impacts and greater head coverage.
✅ CPSC – The U.S. safety standard for bicycle helmets.
✅ MIPS® (not a certification, but a safety technology) – Helps reduce rotational forces during certain angled impacts.
✅ ASTM F1952 – Found on some mountain bike helmets, indicating additional testing for more aggressive riding.

👀 Before you buy, check inside the helmet for the certification label—not just the marketing on the box.

If you're riding an eBike that can reach 20–28 mph, choosing a helmet with NTA 8776 certification provides protection designed for the speeds you're actually riding.

Your helmet is the most important piece of safety gear you own. Make sure it's the right one for your ride. 🚲⚡

A helmet should be at the top of your RAGBRAI packing list. Proper helmet usage is the single best way to protect yourself from head injuries while riding.
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Learn how to fit a helmet: https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/bicycle-safety
Source: American Association of Neurological Surgeons

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