Uvex Sports Urban Planet LED Bike Helmet
54 - 58 cm
Stiftung Warentest examines cycle helmets: one of them is dangerous
22.3.2024
Translation: machine translated
At the start of the outdoor season, 14 new models were tested: while half offered reliable protection against head injuries, one branded product failed the test.
Protection, comfort, price: these are the most important evaluation criteria for a cycle helmet. The Stiftung Warentest has now put eleven city bike helmets and three S-pedelec helmets for adults to the test in a comparison test. The result: Most of the helmets were rated "satisfactory". A "very good" was not awarded - but a "poor" instead.
The test winner
The test winner was the "Urban Planet LED" from Uvex. The hardshell model is suitable for a head circumference between 54 and 58 centimetres and is equipped with reflective straps and a removable LED light. Its positive result is in line with the 5-star rating from a user in our shop, who describes the helmet as "perfect". In terms of price, it is the most expensive city model, but according to the test, it also offers the best accident protection.
The rest of the ranking
Among the test objects, some have so-called Mips equipment: for example, the Alpina model in second place (2.2) or the Giro model in sixth place (2.8). Mips stands for Multidirectional Impact Protection System and refers to a construction that is designed to better absorb impacts from different directions by means of an inner, separately moving plastic shell. The test shows that Mips is not a prerequisite for a reliable helmet - nor is a high price. Non-Mips helmets from the lower price segment also achieved good results: The "Torino" helmet in third place (2.2) costs around 90 euros and the "Codax Kineticore" from Lazer Sport in fourth place (2.6) costs around 65 euros. Fifth place out of 14 was even secured by the 20 euro Lidl model "Crivit" with a 2.6.
In contrast, the "E.Motion 2" from Casco was rated as "Poor" (5.5) because it could slip off the head on impact. Although from a well-known brand and from the higher price segment, the model only offers inadequate accident protection according to the test. According to Stiftung Warentest, this model "should not have been sold like this".
All three S-pedelec helmets scored "satisfactory". The "Pedelec 2.0 Mips" from Abus and the "Mitro UE-1" from Ked both received a 2.9, while the "Commuter" from Cratoni was rated 3.3. S-pedelecs are speed e-bikes that reach speeds of up to 45 kilometres per hour. The helmets must be able to fulfil the corresponding safety requirements for these speeds.
The test procedure
The test was carried out on dummies that simulated accident scenarios at speeds of up to 21.6 km/h (up to 23.4 km/h for S-pedelec helmets). The evaluation category of accident protection, which accounted for 55 per cent of the overall score, looked at protection against head injuries, resistance to stripping, the strength of the strap and lock and visibility in the dark.
According to StiWa, the test was more thorough than required by the current test standard, in that impacts of the dummies were simulated from different angles and on uneven surfaces: "This caused them to rotate on impact. A good helmet must also protect the brain from this rotational movement". Another important point is "whether the helmet can slip backwards off the head. The standard only looks at sliding forwards."
Header image: Kzenon/Shutterstock
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