Helmets - are you really covered?

[jimnobob]

Anyone else seen the full page ad in the latest copy of Mountain Biking Australia trying to scare people out of buying helmets from overseas? Feels like a bad cigarettes can kill type ad.

There is a link to the website that has more info: www.bicyclesafe.com.au

Personally, I think this shows a rather desperate attempt by distributors to tackle the threat of overseas stores such as wiggle and crc. They just don't seem to understand or want to accept that the whole retail model is changing and that they need to move with the times. Aaarrgghhh.

 

[driftking]

I have not seen the article but when we buy say fox 661 or tld are they really designed to different standards depending on distribution?
By that I mean wouldn't the quality still be the same no matter were we buy them so therefore buying here or overseas shouldnt really be any quality compromise.

Or is there variation between regional distribution???

 

[BlakZ]

Remember it's not really the fault of anyone on our soil necessarily that our prices are jacked. So be nice and shop at your LBS when you can, ask them whether they can match a price. If they can within 10-20%, support them.

It's australian jobs and infrastructure you are protecting by doing so....

 

[jayjay3032]

Didn't see it but I'm guessing it said they don't have the oz standard stickers and you won't be covered under any insurance?

Insurance companies will do all they can to not pay you, playing on this is a smart marketing move by local distributors. Especially seeing as a lot of riders are older and have families and mortgages which means they tend to be more concerned with things like that.

 

[0psi]

As far as I know it's the same helmet anywhere you buy it, which is why some helmets aren't available here (Eg: Met Parachute). Where it gets tricky is with things like insurance, the law and narky race directors.

Last I heard you are supposed to wear an aus standards lid if you are on the road but to be honest I don't know anyone that's ever been pulled up. Chances are if you are wearing a helmet (especially an expensive looking one) the coppers will leave you alone.

Some insurance companies won't pay up if you have an accident, sustain head injuries and weren't wearing an Aus standards helmet.

And lastly, some race directors won't let you race if you aren't using an aus standards lid. This one gets a little fuzzy though because some events allow helmets with an equivalent overseas standard to accommodate international athletes. For example most Ironman triathlons state that you must use an Aus standard or equivalent os standard helmet to compete due to the large number of international competitors. I believe it was the same for the 24hr world champs. Some club races specifically state that you must use an Aus standards helmet (I'm guessing something to do with liability insurance) but I've never known any to check at a club event.

But at the end of the day if you aren't riding on the road or racing I wouldn't be too concerned, any lid that passes aus standards will have the same amount of protection whether it was purchased here or OS.

 

[wombat]

As far as I know it's the same helmet anywhere you buy it, which is why some helmets aren't available here (Eg: Met Parachute).

I do know of a couple of helmets that have been modified to pass AS testing, but that was a few years back, and from memory it was relatively minor stuff like straps that were changed; not high end lids either.

 

[Shoryuken]

Some insurance companies won't pay up if you have an accident, sustain head injuries and weren't wearing an Aus standards helmet.

Any have any proof to back this up?
Ive heard this as well. And also the end of world was last October.

Id like to get to the bottom of this.

I have friends with OS helmets that you can buy locally at your LBS.
Im not sure if they have the Aus standards sticker on them etc but im not sure why an OS seller would have the sticker.
Ill have to check.

 

[Get Mounted]

MTBA accepts a range of country/regional standards if you race in their events. Therefore you are covered if you buy from from a site like CRC.

Details here:
http://www.mtba.asn.au/news/305-clarification-of-acceptable-international-standards-for-mtb-helmets

It also states that by law you should only ride road with an Australian Standards helmet.

 

[PINT of Stella. mate!]

The way I read the following article from the ACCC you do not need an AS/NZ 2063 stamp.
You just have to have a helmet that complies with the standards set out in AS/NZ 2063 and you'll find that most major international standards will not only comply with AS:NZ 2063 but some may actually exceed it. There doesn't seem to be any requirement to bear the actual stamp, the helmet just has to follow the rules and after comparing the amount of legal gobshite printed on the insides of my Australian-bought Met lid and my EU-purchased Giro lid, it looks like there's way more legislation in the continental model.

Check it out for yourself : http://www.productsafety.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/974624#h3_51 .

Also as far as I can tell, if an insurance company is going to get narky, they would have an easier job nailing you if you had put any stickers, lighting or marker pen on your lid.

 

[Lilley]

Personally, I think this shows a rather desperate attempt by distributors to tackle the threat of overseas stores such as wiggle and crc. They just don't seem to understand or want to accept that the whole retail model is changing and that they need to move with the times. Aaarrgghhh.

You may be right but just remember that helmet importers are required by Australian law to comply with these standards, and I believe that includes paying for testing to be carried out. It may not be the best marketing campaign in the world by BIA but I think all they are doing is trying to create better outcomes for their clients (importers and retailers) who in this case need to work within the letter of the law and meet requirements that don't apply to their overseas competition.

 

[kgunzer]

Interpretation(s) of the rules/laws are the ones causing confusion on top of economic discrepancies that are faced by a rider.

As soon as my DH Bike got built up, I wanted to purchase a Pro-Tec Spade, but the distributor said they couldn't stock it because it failed in the AS/NZ testing. So I opted for a locally purchased one.

If the same model of helmet that passed AS/NZ testing was and does not bear the AS/NZ 2063 sticker, does that mean that the helmet is not compliant? People purchase equipment overseas because of the huge difference in price and with the exchange rate favoring the Australian currency, who won't be tempted to save a few $$. Truth of the matter is, as far as safety is concerned, the rider already has exercised sufficient duty of care by putting on a protective equipment and it's just the technicality of law/regulation that makes the situation for people who unfortunately encounter accidents, that makes them vulnerable to the misjudgement.

Consider a rider breaking his femur or collar bone when riding on the road. If he was wearing an "unapproved" helmet like the Pro-Tec Spade, does that mean the insurance can deny him a claim for the injury he sustained? And what about other protective equipment like shoes, arm guards, neck braces, shin guards? The bull shit politicians make just never stops.

 

[pharmaboy]

If the same model of helmet that passed AS/NZ testing was and does not bear the AS/NZ 2063 sticker, does that mean that the helmet is not compliant? People purchase equipment overseas because of the huge difference in price and with the exchange rate favoring the Australian currency, who won't be tempted to save a few $$. Truth of the matter is, as far as safety is concerned, the rider already has exercised sufficient duty of care by putting on a protective equipment and it's just the technicality of law/regulation that makes the situation for people who unfortunately encounter accidents, that makes them vulnerable to the misjudgement.

Consider a rider breaking his femur or collar bone when riding on the road. If he was wearing an "unapproved" helmet like the Pro-Tec Spade, does that mean the insurance can deny him a claim for the injury he sustained? And what about other protective equipment like shoes, arm guards, neck braces, shin guards? The bull shit politicians make just never stops.

I think you've got it.

The helmet standards were brought in to protect consumers - but ultimately what has happened is its protecting the local importer and distributor from price competition.

As to insurance companies, such a huge urban myth its not funny. As has been hinted at in this thread, the law applies causation - an insurance compnay would have to prove causation of your non std's approved helmet to your injury. As it is everyone I know who has bought overseas, has bought an identical model to one available here, rather than a brand / model unknown, so what it lacks is the 1c red and silver sticker.

personally I've never bought a helmet from overseas, but thats because of 2 things, 1. i refuse to see any value at all in a bit of molded plastic and polystyrene, so a $250 met is simply an insult to my intelligence and 2. i have a really funny head - trying on is a must for me (and the $50 no name brands with a little red and silver sticker will do)

 

[thecat]

Insurance companies will generally try anything to get out of handing you back your money.....

 

[wilddemon]

bicyclesafe.com.au

The link provided by OP (as above), all that is there is "you must wear a helmet, you must wear AS approved" and how to fit it. Click on "about the BIA" and then "members" link and you can see that they are supported by every company that would sell a helmet here, plus some others.

BIA members are businesses which supply goods or services to bicycle retailers in Australia. They includes wholesalers, importers and manufacturers of bicycles, parts and accessories.

But this page that shows the members is part of bikeoz.com.au so why would they need a separate domain name (bicyclesafe) for "helmet awareness"? Probably because it looks more official?

Is any of this ratified by government (law makers) or cops (law enforcement)? As someone mentioned earlier there are different interpretations of the law. Is anyone aware of os helmet issue coming under scrutiny before a court?

 

[rone]

According to the productsafety.gov website with regards to testing:

"Testing

The mandatory standard specifies testing to ensure bicycle helmets meet requirements such as those for construction, design, performance, markings and safe use instructions. Suppliers need to organise this testing through specialist laboratories with the right skills, experience and equipment."


Who is this exactly? I know that it costs a lot for this testing, which is one of the reasons some helmets are not brought in - not viable if the projected numbers sold are not very high, but who is it who actually makes money from the testing?

Private testing laboratory?
Government testing laboratory?

I'd be surprised if the Government aren't making something out of this somewhere along the line.

Might be good to sticky this thread?

 

[0psi]

I know that it costs a lot for this testing, which is one of the reasons some helmets are not brought in - not viable if the projected numbers sold are not very high,

I'd wager the majority of cost comes from the number of helmets needed to perform the tests. I'm not sure exactly what happens these days (aus standards were recently changed and I only assume that the testing methods have aswell) but the old test involved swinging a wedge shaped weight at the helmet and measuring the indent left in the lid. Highly scientific. And I can't remember for the life of me what the number was but I do remember thinking it was a stupidly large number of helmets that the importer needed to supply in order to get a silly little sticker.

 

[rearviewmirror]

Seems stupid a $5 helmet from 7/11 complies, but a $250 Giro from the US/UK not up to par. I took the sticker out of one helmet bought here and put it in my high end Giro from the US just in case they check at a race. I'll assume the risk because I know my Giro will do just as good of a job as a helmet from Australia with sticker.

 

[jayjay3032]

I think POSM has it right, it just needs to meet the standard. If you buy the same model OS I think you could argue it successfully.

 

[Anarchist]

I think POSM has it right, it just needs to meet the standard. If you buy the same model OS I think you could argue it successfully.

+1. How could they differ?? Really the big manufacturers won't change a helmet just to comply to our standards. Our market is too small. We accept the overseas standards used to test drugs and medical equipment, why not helmets (if the test and testing is suitable)? Doesn't make sense.

 

[rearviewmirror]

+1. How could they differ?? Really the big manufacturers won't change a helmet just to comply to our standards. Our market is too small. We accept the overseas standards used to test drugs and medical equipment, why not helmets (if the test and testing is suitable)? Doesn't make sense.

Same applies to motorcycle helmets, surely DOT/SNELL meets the Australian standard, yet you must buy a helmet here w/ the decal in it.