SHARP Five Star Rating System

New SHARP Five Star Motorcycle Helmet Safety Standard Rating System

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by webBikeWorld.com with thanks to "J.L." (UK)

SHARP Helmet Ratings Below  |  SHARP Flip-up Helmet Ratings Below

First SHARP Motorcycle Helmet Rating System Helmets Listed

NEW MOTORCYCLE HELMET SAFETY RATINGS UNVEILED

See the SHARP helmet safety ratings below.

UPDATE:  April 8, 2009 - New safety ratings for motorcycle helmets were published today by Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick (see list below).

28 more motorcycle helmets have been rated by SHARP - the Department for Transport’s Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme – taking the total number of ratings published to 125.

To tackle the disproportionate number of motorcyclists killed and injured on the roads the Department for Transport also runs THINK! campaigns such as the 'Take longer to look for bikes' TV and radio adverts. 

In addition, the THINK! Motorcycle Academy recently announced that it will be sponsoring the British Superbike Championship (BSB) for a sixth consecutive year.

This comes after independent research showed that 98% of race goers are in favour of THINK! sponsoring BSB and 61% said they were more likely to take further training as a result of visiting the THINK! Motorcycle Academy.

Jim Fitzpatrick said “If all riders wore the safest helmets available 50 lives could be saved each year so I am delighted to announce these new SHARP ratings.

“By providing the best safety information, reminding drivers of the importance of looking out for bikes and promoting further training and safe riding through the THINK! Motorcycle Academy I hope we can make the roads safer for motorcyclists and reduce the number of terrible tragedies we see each year.”

All helmets must meet minimum legal safety standards but the SHARP scheme uses a wider range of tests to provide riders with more information on how much protection a helmet can provide in a crash.

The objective advice, which includes important guidance on how to select a good fitting helmet, will help riders to choose the safest helmet suitable for them.  The SHARP tests - which award ratings of between one and five stars - showed that the safety performance of helmets can vary by as much as 70%.

With helmets across a wide price range scoring highly all riders should be able to find a high performing helmet in a size and style that fits them and at a price they want to pay.

For more information about the SHARP programme, visit the SHARP website at http://www.direct.gov.uk/sharp.

UPDATE: September 2008 - Motorcycle News (UK) claims that an investigation of the SHARP standard indicates that the testing scheme has erred in interpreting helmet crash data prior to establishing the testing methods.

The SHARP testing methods put an emphasis on side impacts, with the government claiming that 53% of impacts occur on the sides of the helmet.  But the data shows that most impacts (64.8%) are on the front of the helmet; the sides are impacted only 23% of the time.  Apparently, the 53% figure came from an error, adding the 26.9% damage to the right side and the 26.3% damage to the left side and then using the 53% figure for both sides. 

The controversy continues; at this point, it's unclear whether or not the government will change the testing methodology, but several motorcycle helmet manufacturers are not pleased with the current test methods.

The SHARP Motorcycle Helmet Rating Programme

June 12, 2008 - The SHARP (Safety Helmet and Assessment Rating Programme) safety standard rating system for motorcycle helmets is now up and running and the first 56 helmets have been listed.  

Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick estimates that 50 lives per year could be saved if motorcyclists use the list to choose the highest rated helmets.

Ratings for 56 of the most popular full-face helmets on the market were published after testing by SHARP, which was developed by the Department for Transport last year.  

Although some questions remain -- and some of the motorcycle helmet manufacturers have questioned the testing methodology and the results -- it's always good for motorcyclists to have another data point to help choose helmets that have the potential of offering high levels of protection.

The SHARP tests - which award ratings of between one and five stars - showed that the safety performance of helmets can vary by as much as 70%.  

Jim Fitzpatrick said "Too many motorcyclists - 599 in 2006 - are dying on our roads.  They account for just 1% of all road traffic, but for 19% of all those killed.  But if all riders wore the safest helmets available 50 lives could be saved each year.  That is why we started the innovative SHARP scheme and are delighted to publish the first results today."

"Helmets from across a wide price range and from a variety of manufacturers have received four or five stars - so all riders should be able to find a high-scoring helmet in a size and style that fits them and at a price they want to pay."

All helmets must meet minimum legal safety standards but the SHARP scheme uses a wider range of tests to provide riders with more information on how much protection a helmet can provide in a crash.  The objective advice will help riders to chose the safest helmet suitable for them.

For more information about the SHARP programme, visit the SHARP website at http://www.direct.gov.uk/sharp.

Following is the list of the first 56 helmets rated by SHARP.  Note that some of these helmets may not be available in all countries, and some helmets are sold under different names in different countries.  Also, it's difficult to determine whether the construction of these helmets are identical to helmets that are sold in markets outside the UK to meet different safety standard ratings.  This is not an official list; check with SHARP for the details.

Notes
The SHARP tests and assessments are valid for all types of helmet and further results will be released on a rolling basis through the remainder of 2008.

Full face helmets represent the largest part of the market (approx. 80%), but 'flip front' style helmets are gaining in popularity.  Therefore, SHARP will consider assessing these helmets this summer, before completing the remaining full face helmets.  Open face helmets will be considered later.

Motorcyclists are one of our most vulnerable road user groups.  In 2006, 23,326 motorcyclists were injured in accidents, with 599 being killed.

Head injuries occur in 80% of all motorcyclist fatalities and in 70% of these the head injury is the most serious.

Currently no comparative rating system is available on motorcycle helmets anywhere in the world.

Helmets sold in the UK must meet the minimum standards of UN ECE Regulation 22.05 or comply with British Standard 6658:1985. SHARP assesses the extent to which helmets offer protection above these minimum requirements.

Public Enquiries: 020 7944 8300
SHARP information home page
Department for Transport Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk

More Resources

• wBW Motorcycle Helmet Review Index

• wBW Motorcycle Helmet FAQ Page

• wBW Motorcycle Helmet Weights Page

• wBW Extra-Large Motorcycle Helmets Info Page

• Interesting Arai "Arai Tecs" .pdf brochure that discusses many details of motorcycle helmet design

• Arai Helmet Testing Standards information (.pdf)

November 25, 2007 - The new SHARP (Safety Helmet and Assessment Rating Programme) website is up and running in the UK and it describes the new 5-Star motorcycle helmet safety standard.

SHARP "will enable riders to more easily select a helmet which matches their needs", according to the site. 

"It will provide consumers with an independent assessment of the safety performance of helmets sold in the UK.  The SHARP RATING reflects the performance of each helmet model following a series of advanced tests in our lab and will rate helmets from 1-5 stars".

The new SHARP ratings and advanced testing will be in place by the Spring of 2008 and will include liner impact tests, oblique impact tests, impact locations and test speeds on various size head forms.  The SHARP website also has information on correctly fitting a motorcycle helmet.

November 22, 2007 (UK) - A pioneering new Government motorcycle helmet safety rating scheme which could save the lives of 50 riders a year was officially launched today by Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick.

In a world first, SHARP - the Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme - will give an independent rating of how much protection a helmet can provide in an impact. Helmets will be rated from 1 to 5 stars depending how well they perform in our laboratory tests.

All helmets on sale in the UK must offer the wearer a minimum level of protection, but tests show there are real differences in safety performance. SHARP's objective advice, based on rigorous testing, will help riders choose a safer helmet by measuring the extent to which a helmet exceeds the minimum standards.

Speaking at the Road Safety Expo 07 in London today, Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said "Our research indicates that even though all helmets have to reach a minimum legal standard, safety performance can vary by as much as 30%.  The SHARP scheme being officially launched today will allow riders to select a safer helmet on the basis of a simple star rating system."

"This is a vital step forward.  Motorcyclists are one of the single most vulnerable groups on GB roads today.  They account for just 1% of all road traffic, but for 20% of all those killed or seriously injured.  We estimate that if all riders wore helmets that scored well in our rating system, the SHARP scheme could save up to 50 lives a year."

During his speech, Jim Fitzpatrick also announced the launch of the Driving Standard Agency's Enhanced Rider Scheme.  This is aimed at enhancing the road safety skills of the motorcycle and scooter riders already on the roads.  The Agency has been working with the motorcycle industry to devise a new training package for the benefit of all riders with a full motorcycle licence.  Those who pass the Enhanced Rider Scheme will get a certificate that will put them in line for discounts on their insurance.

The first SHARP results are expected to be available next Spring, with the majority of helmets on the market tested before the end of 2008.  Early results show that good performance is not restricted to premium price helmets.

For more information about SHARP, visit the SHARP website.

Background

• Motorcyclists are our most vulnerable road users. Last year 23,326 motorcyclists were injured in accidents in the UK, with 599 being killed.

• Head injuries occur in 80% of all motorcyclist fatalities and in 70% of these the head injury is the most serious.

• Currently no comparative rating system is available on motorcycle helmets anywhere in the world.

• Helmets sold in the UK must meet the minimum standards of UN ECE Regulation 22.05 or comply with British Standard 6658:1985.  SHARP will assess the extent to which helmets offer protection above these minimum requirements.

• Initially, SHARP will concentrate on assessing full-face helmets.  Ultimately, all helmets will be rated by SHARP.

• SHARP will be promoted in partnership with the THINK! road safety campaign, which already gives advice to motorcyclists via the THINK! Academy.

• More information about the DSA's Enhanced Rider Scheme

• Department for Transport Website

NOTE:  This is a developing story.  If you have further information regarding this topic that you'd like to share with others, please send it to .