The STARs are out!

08 Jul 2024

There are some stars in town, and we’re not talking about Chris Hemsworth! 

Helmet STAR (Safety Testing & Assessment Ratings) is Australia’s first bicycle helmet safety rating program and ratings are now available on our website. 

In 2022, 1,700 cyclists were hospitalised from road crashes in NSW. Helmet non-use by bicycle riders is a significant issue, with 26 seriously injured in 2022 not wearing a helmet.

The new rating program will provide bicycle riders and other wheeled recreational riders with evidence-based ratings when buying a new helmet. 

Our testing criteria includes vertical drops, a strap strength test and drop tests from moving platforms. We test the helmet’s ability to protect the user’s head in each scenario and assign a star rating from 1 to 5 stars. 

The first round of testing has been completed, with ratings for 61 helmets now available in categories including mountain bike, road, recreational and children’s helmets.

How you can get involved:

• Use the communications toolkit to share content including videos, web tiles and posters.
  • Log into the Hub to download a copy of the toolkit or email towardszero@transport.nsw.gov.au to request one.
• Follow the NSW Road Safety Facebook page to like, share and comment on posts.
• Share the helmet ratings page on the Centre for Road Safety website with your community.

To add to the conversation, register or login

Comments

Comments made on this article are visible to the public.