A BIS normal particularly for bicycle helmets

Take pleasure in driving bicycles? Do you know the Bureau of Indian Requirements (BIS) has give you a selected normal for helmets for cyclists, skate boarders and curler skaters — for the primary time, and it’s coded “IS 18808”. The transfer by BIS to nudge all stakeholders to advertise ISI-marked helmet is essential for a rustic the place helmet use for non-powered automobiles is just voluntary (bicycles don’t come underneath Motor Automobiles Act).

G. Bhavani, senior director and head of Chennai department of Bureau of Indian Requirements, says BIS has introduced this normal in 2025 solely for bicycle riders, skate boarders and curler skaters. In April, the Bureau carried out its first consciousness workshop in Chennai and continues to achieve stakeholders together with biking teams reminiscent of WCCG – Chennai Cyclists, Biking Yogis and Chennai Runners.

“Via Manak Manthan, a month-to-month initiative of BIS, we take up a typical that was just lately revised or formulated or is underneath growth. We attain out to all stakeholders together with shoppers, manufactures, regulators and laboratories for ideas. Producers of this product can apply for BIS certification for this new Indian Customary, for which BIS is within the means of reaching out to the related associations for elevating consciousness,” says Bhavani.

BIS certification offers an assurance of high quality of the product to the patron.

“We certify after the producers meet sure standards. Later, the corporate is allowed to fabricate and market the helmet with an ISI mark,” says Bhavani.

In Chennai, most biking and operating teams promote use of helmets.

“In all our group rides and occasions, one factor is evident — “no helmet, no trip”, says Sudarsana Rao of Vibrant Velachery.

Rao notes that if there’s a rule by the federal government then use of helmets and its requirements will even enhance.

“In contrast to the helmets worn by motorcyclists, not everyone sells cycle helmets. They’re solely obtainable in specialised retailers and are completely different from those utilized by motorcyclists,” says Rao, including that Golf equipment reminiscent of theirs can do loads to advertise helmet use.

Most bicycle helmets are made utilizing PVC, polystyrene and allied materials. They’re sturdy, light-weight but sturdy and promise dependable efficiency.

Bicycle shops notice a majority of helmets bought by them are imported and include good security requirements, with costs from ₹3,500 onwards. “Manufacturing helmets for cyclists is a distinct segment market and until there’s good quantity there is probably not many takers,” says Ashwin G., companion, 5AM Bicycle Studio.

Helmet manfacturing corporations level on the market might be a market in India as many cities are creating biking infrastructure and there’s better consciousness about the advantages of this eco-friendly mode of transport.

“Immediately, we’re largely depending on the overseas marketplace for helmet design, which should change,” says Bijoy Bharathan, common supervisor, Turtle Helmet. The Authorities should additionally cut back the GST on security gears reminiscent of helmets in order to encourage extra folks to purchase one, says Bharathan.

Classes from different elements of the globe

High quality helmets cut back the danger of loss of life by over six instances, and reduces the danger of mind harm by as much as 74%, says a report by World Well being Organisation.

Nonetheless, availability of reasonably priced helmets is a barrier for some folks. In its toolkit on selling biking and strolling, WHO notes that making certain efficient helmet use requires measures reminiscent of creating and passing helmet-use laws, public schooling, and energetic regulation enforcement.

Many nations have launched obligatory helmet legal guidelines for cyclists, together with youngsters. For instance, Australia was among the many first to introduce nationwide helmet laws within the early Nineteen Nineties. Canada and Argentina implement helmet use for cyclists in sure areas and the Netherlands requires helmet use just for e-bikes that exceed the velocity restrict of 25 km. These insurance policies are sometimes a part of broader street security methods geared toward decreasing traffic-related accidents.