Helmets and protective gear

By the end of this topic you can

• You can explain who must wear a helmet on a motorcycle.
• You can recognize the safety labels that show a helmet meets an approved standard.
• You can fit a helmet correctly and know when to replace it.
• You can choose jacket, pants, gloves and boots that protect against abrasion and impact.
• You can pick gear that helps other road users see you.

What you need to know and understand

• Ontario requires an approved helmet at every motorcycle licence stage.
• In BC a helmet must meet one of the recognized standards (DOT, ECE Regulation No. 22 or Snell) and carry the correct label.
• In BC, the operator must make sure any passenger under 16 wears an approved helmet, and helmet law also applies to limited-speed motorcycles.
• Novelty helmets without a certification label do not meet the law, and BC police can seize helmets that fail the standard.
• Ontario and BC exempt Sikh riders who meet the conditions set in their regulations.
• Only the operator's seat position is fixed in BC law: the rider must sit astride the seat.
• A helmet that has taken a hard impact should be replaced, even if it looks fine.

Choosing and fitting a helmet

Look for a certification label inside or on the back of the shell, and check which standards your province accepts. A full-face helmet protects the chin and face, which often hit the ground in a crash. Open-face and modular helmets are legal if certified, but give less face protection.

1. Measure around your head just above the eyebrows to find your size.
2. Try the helmet on: it should feel snug all round with no pressure points.
3. Fasten the chin strap so only one or two fingers fit underneath.
4. Try to roll the helmet forward off your head; it should not come off.
5. Wear it for several minutes in the shop to check for hot spots.

The rest of your kit

Think of gear as layers that protect you from scraping, impact and weather.

• Eye protection: a visor or riding glasses, since wind, insects and grit can blind you.
• Jacket: leather or abrasion-resistant textile with armour at the shoulders and elbows.
• Pants: riding pants with knee and hip armour, not ordinary jeans.
• Gloves: full-fingered riding gloves that protect the palm and knuckles.
• Boots: sturdy, over-the-ankle boots with a grippy sole.
• Visibility: bright colours or reflective panels help drivers notice you, day and night.
• Weather layers: a rain suit and warm base layers, since cold and wet riders tire and lose focus.

Legal minimum versus smart choice

The law only requires an approved helmet. Everything else is your choice, but the most common rider injuries are to the legs, arms and hands. Dressing for the slide, not the ride, means wearing full gear even on short, hot trips.

Common mistakes

• Buying a novelty or uncertified helmet because it looks good or costs less.
• Wearing a helmet with the chin strap undone or too loose.
• Keeping a helmet that has been dropped hard or crashed.
• Riding in shorts, sneakers or thin gloves on short trips.
• Choosing all-dark gear that makes you hard to see at dusk.

Test yourself: Helmets and protective gear

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.