In collaboration with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, we have evaluated bike helmets using the STAR testing system. This system assesses each helmet’s ability to reduce both linear acceleration and rotational velocity during a range of impact scenarios representative of real-world bicycle crashes. Helmets earning more stars are associated with lower concussion risk in these scenarios. We recommend choosing a helmet rated 4 or 5 stars.

• infoUnderstanding the rating system
  Our ratings are an independent and objective assessment of helmet performance for consumers, free from manufacturer influence.
  
  We rate each bike helmet based on the results of 24 impact tests in our laboratory. A drop tower designed to match helmet-to-ground characteristics in cycling is used to test the helmets. We measure linear acceleration and rotational velocity for each impact, which are correlated to concussion risk.
  
  
  We test 6 locations that are dispersed around the helmet at medium and and high impact energies. Velocities were selected to reflect common cyclist head impact velocities based on helmet damage replication studies.
  
  Each lab impact is weighted based on how often a cyclist might experience a similar impact. We compute concussion risk from measured peak linear acceleration and rotational velocity for each test. Each risk is multiplied by its weighting factor and then summed together to compute an overall score. The overall score estimates the number of concussions the average person would see if they experienced identical impacts at rates matching their weightings while cycling.
  
  A lower score indicates better helmet performance.
  
  The score values in these ratings are not comparable to score values in our helmet ratings for other sports. This is because there are differences in test methods, impact conditions, risk calculations, and impact weightings specific to each sport.
• file_downloadTechnical documents
  Test Protocol: Bland M, McNally C, & Rowson S, Bicycle helmet STAR protocol, 2018.
  Peer-Reviewed Journal Paper: Bland ML, McNally C, Zuby DS, Mueller BC, & Rowson S, Development of the STAR Evaluation System for Assessing Bicycle Helmet Protective Performance. Ann Biomed Eng 48, 47–57, 2020.
  Ratings Update: Rowson S, Begonia MT, Miller B, Stark N, Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings Memorandum - July 2025.
• sticky_note_2Notes about these ratings
  A lower score offers better protection.
  
  Cost shown is the price of the helmet at the time of testing.
  
  *Any player in any sport can sustain a head injury with even the very best head protection. This analysis is based on data trends and probabilities, and therefore a specific person’s risk may vary. This variation is likely dominated by genetic differences, health history, and impact factors such as muscle activation.