Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Wearing Helmets: A Safety Reminder for Motorcyclists

The soaring price of oil worldwide is one reality we all have to accept. And as we all continue to face the many challenges in the workplace in order to live comfortably, one key factor is the transport system. Commuting is now considered a way of life and the clamor for a more cost-efficient mode of transportation has paved the way for the motorcycle. To date, the number of motorcycle commuters continues to rise all over the country.

Driving a motorcycle involves skill, presence of mind, and safety. And one very important rule is to "always wear a helmet" just like "wearing a seatbelt" is synonymous to driving a car. Helmets of all shapes, sizes and brands are now available in the market. But how safe are you with your helmet? Will it actually protect your brain if you meet an accident? Statistics reveal that an increase in level of road accidents usually involves motorcycles.

Before you take the road with your new motorcycle, here are some helpful tips to remember about helmets as shared by Spyder.

1. Safety Standards

Always make sure to check that your helmet has passed at least one of the safety standards from the following: DOT (USA standard) European standard (or ECE; accepted by more than 50 countries and the MOTO GP), BSI (UK), and Snell (the most highly regarded standard used in the U.S.).

2. Helmet Components

A motorcycle helmet has two major parts: the outer shell and the energy-absorbing inner liner.

Outer shells for good quality helmets come in either a resin/fiber composite like fiberglass (Spyder's Cranium and Panther helmet models), molded thermoplastic such as ABS (Spyder's Sphinx, Sabre, and Enduro models) as well as other less commonly used materials such as carbon fiber and Kevlar.

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