Helmets and protective gear
In a crash a rider has no metal shell around them. Your helmet and clothing are the only protection you have, which is why the Rules of the Road tells riders to wear proper gear every single time they get on the bike.
Some of this is law, such as wearing a fastened helmet. The rest is strong official advice that experienced riders follow on every trip, even short ones.
By the end of this topic you can
- You can state the legal helmet rules for riders and passengers.
- You can choose and fit a helmet safely and know when to replace it.
- You can list the protective clothing a rider should wear.
- You can make yourself more visible by day and by night.
- You can wear the learner tabard correctly.
What you need to know and understand
- Riding without a helmet, or letting a passenger ride without one, is a fixed charge offence.
- A helmet that is not securely fastened is illegal and offers little protection in a crash.
- Never buy or use a second-hand helmet, never lend yours, and replace it if it is damaged.
- Use a clear visor; a dark visor makes it almost impossible to see oil on a wet road.
- With an open-face helmet you need separate eye protection.
- Make sure your helmet and protective equipment meet EU standards.
- Learners wear an L on a yellow fluorescent tabard over their clothes, visible front and back.
Choosing and looking after a helmet
- Buy new from a reputable dealer who knows how to check the fit. Try several sizes and makes.
- Check the label shows it meets the required European standard.
- Fasten the strap every time; it should be snug enough that the helmet cannot roll off.
- Clean the visor gently with warm soapy water and replace it if it is scratched.
- Follow the maker's care instructions, and replace the helmet after any impact or damage.
Clothing that protects your body
Jeans and a hoodie offer almost no protection when you slide along tarmac. The RSA advice is to dress for impact, abrasion and the Irish weather.
- A motorcycle jacket and trousers that resist abrasion, impact, cold and rain.
- Body armour at the back, shoulders, elbows, hips, knees and shins, fitted snugly so it stays in place.
- Reinforced motorcycle gloves.
- Motorcycle boots that come at least above the ankle.
- Ear protection on long journeys; do not use a personal entertainment system while riding.
Be seen, day and night
Other drivers often look for large vehicles and miss the narrow outline of a bike. In daylight, a white helmet and fluorescent clothing or strips help you stand out from the side as well as the front and rear. At night, reflective clothing or strips pick up other vehicles' headlights from a long way off.
As a learner your L tabard goes over your jacket, not under it. After you pass, N plates go on the tabard for two years.
Common mistakes
- Leaving the chin strap loose for a short trip. An unfastened helmet is illegal and can come off in a fall.
- Riding with a tinted visor in the rain or at dusk. Use a clear visor so you can spot oil and hazards.
- Wearing trainers or shoes. Choose boots that cover the ankle.
- Buying a cheap used helmet online. You cannot know if it has been dropped or crashed.
Test yourself: Helmets and protective gear
Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.
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Sources: Rules of the Road, Section 16 Rules for motorcyclists (RSA, Revision 5); Rules of the Road, Section 2 The learner driver (RSA). Independent guide, not affiliated with any licensing agency. Always check the latest official rules with the RSA.