BMX Helmet Guide

A BMX helmet protects your head in a crash by crushing its foam liner to absorb impact energy. The right helmet is certified to a recognised bicycle helmet standard such as AS/NZS 2063 in Australia and New Zealand, CPSC in the United States or EN 1078 in Europe. It must fit snugly, sit level on your head and be replaced after any significant impact.

Open face vs full face

BMX riders mostly choose between two styles.

Feature	Open face (skate style)	Full face
Protection	Top, back and sides of head	Head plus chin, jaw and face
Weight	Lighter	Heavier
Airflow	Good	Less, gets hot
Vision	Wide	Slightly reduced at the edges
Common in	Street, park, flatland, dirt	Racing, big dirt jumps, downhill style riding
Racing	Not usually permitted	Normally required

Open face helmets are the common choice for street, park and flatland. They are light, cool and easy to wear for long sessions.

Full face helmets add a chin bar. They are compulsory for BMX racing under UCI and AusCycling rules, and a smart choice for dirt jumping, trails and big park riding, where a crash at speed can hit your face first.

Certification standards

A helmet's certification sticker is more important than its brand or price. Look for a label inside the helmet showing which standard it meets.

Region	Common bicycle helmet standard	Notes
Australia and New Zealand	AS/NZS 2063	The long-standing Australian standard; some overseas standards are now also accepted (see below)
United States	CPSC (US Consumer Product Safety Commission bicycle helmet rule)	Required for bicycle helmets sold in the US
Europe and UK	EN 1078	European standard for bicycle, skateboard and roller skate helmets

Some points to watch:

• Skate only helmets. Some skate style helmets are certified for skateboarding but not for bicycles. They may look identical to a BMX helmet. Check the label.
• Multiple certifications. Many helmets carry more than one standard, which is useful if you travel or buy overseas.
• Racing rules. BMX racing bodies set their own helmet requirements, which are usually stricter than everyday cycling rules. UCI and AusCycling rules require a full face helmet, and UCI rules ban open face helmets. Check the current rulebook from your national body (AusCycling in Australia) before race day.
• Fakes. Cheap online helmets sometimes carry fake or missing certification. Buy from a reputable seller.

Australian helmet law

Australia has had mandatory bicycle helmet laws since the early 1990s. Victoria was first, in July 1990, and the other states and territories followed by around 1992. Riders are generally required to wear an approved helmet on roads, paths and other public places. The details differ between states and territories. For example, in the Northern Territory riders over 17 do not have to wear a helmet on footpaths or paths away from the road, but must wear one on the road.

What counts as an approved helmet is also changing. Since 2024 the national bicycle helmet safety standard has accepted helmets certified to EN 1078, CPSC and some other overseas standards as well as AS/NZS 2063, and states have been updating their road rules to recognise them at different times. Rules for skateparks and private land also vary. Check the current road rules for your state or territory, and treat helmet use as essential at the park whatever the law says.

How to measure and fit a helmet

1. Measure your head. Wrap a soft tape measure around your head about one finger width above your eyebrows and just above your ears. Note the measurement in centimetres.
2. Check the size chart. Every brand sizes differently. Use the maker's chart, not the size you wore in another brand.
3. Try it on level. The front edge should sit about one to two finger widths above your eyebrows. It should not tilt back to show your forehead.
4. Adjust the fit system. Tighten any rear dial or add the supplied pads until the helmet is snug with no pressure points.
5. Set the side straps. The straps should form a V just below each ear.
6. Buckle the chin strap. You should fit about one or two fingers between strap and chin. When you open your mouth wide, you should feel the helmet pull down slightly.
7. Do the shake test. Shake your head side to side and front to back. The helmet should move with your head, not slide around.

For a full face helmet, the cheek pads should be firm against your cheeks, and the chin bar should not touch your chin.

When to replace a helmet

Most bicycle helmets use a foam liner designed to absorb one serious impact. Once crushed, it gives less protection, even if the outside looks fine.

Replace your helmet if:

• You hit your head in a crash, even if you cannot see damage.
• The shell or foam is cracked, dented or crushed.
• The straps, buckle or fit system are broken or worn.
• It no longer fits properly.
• It has reached the replacement age suggested by the manufacturer.

Some helmets are sold as multi impact, using a softer foam that recovers after light knocks. These still need replacing after a hard impact. Follow the maker's instructions for your specific helmet.

Care

• Store your helmet out of direct sun and away from heat, such as a hot car.
• Clean it with mild soap and water. Avoid solvents and strong cleaners.
• Do not add stickers or paint unless the maker says it is safe.
• Do not hang it on your handlebars, where it can get knocked and damaged.

Choosing your helmet

• Racing: a certified full face helmet that meets your race body's rules.
• Dirt and trails: a full face for big jumps, or a well fitted open face for smaller lines.
• Street and park: a certified open face is the common choice. Consider a full face for big park riding.
• Kids and beginners: a certified helmet that fits well matters more than style. Replace it as they grow.

Pair your helmet with gloves and other protective gear suited to your riding. Racers should also read BMX race tracks explained.

Related

• Protective gear
• How to start riding BMX
• BMX racing
• BMX in Australia