The Department for Transport (DfT) has revealed new motorcycle helmet safety ratings ahead of the Motorcycle Show.

The DfT's Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme SHARP has added a further 25 approved motorcycle helmets to their rating system list, making the total number 175.

All motorcycle helmets have to reach certain safety standards, but the SHARP assessment ratings use a wider range of tests to provide riders with more information on how much protection a helmet can provide in a crash. Helmets sold in the UK must meet the minimum standards of UN ECE Regulation 22.05 – or comply with British Standard 6658:1985.

SHARP assesses the extent to which helmets offer protection above the minimum requirements. The scheme offers bikers advice on how to select a helmet that fits properly, so that they will end up with the helmet that is safest for their individual needs.

The SHARP Motorcycle Academy also offers motorcyclists further training – and reminds drivers to always be on the lookout for motorbikes on the road to promote safer riding conditions for motorcyclists.

Secretary of State for Transport Paul Clark said:

‘If all riders wore the safest helmets available, 50 lives could be saved each year. That is why I am delighted to publish these new SHARP ratings ahead of the Motorcycle Show. 

‘I very much hope that riders will get a chance to visit the SHARP stand at the show to get more information about the scheme before purchasing their new helmets.’

The SHARP tests award ratings of between one and five stars and the ratings show that the safety performance of helmets can vary by as much as 70 per cent. The ratings include a selection of highly-scoring products at a wide range of prices to ensure that motorcyclist can find a helmet to suit their needs and their pockets.

In 80 per cent of fatal motorcycle accidents, head injuries contribute to the death of the rider. In 2007, 588 motorcyclists were killed in the UK and 24,381 were injured in road accidents.

All the results of the SHARP tests are available at http://www.direct.gov.uk/sharp.

The Motorcycle Show runs at the NEC in Birmingham from Friday, 27 November to Sunday, 6 December.

© 5r1 Limited 2009