Helmet Recall: The Cost Of Safety

Several news outlets (English, Chinese) have been reporting on the recent factory recall of helmets manufactured by GiD.

In an effort of unprecedented cooperation between consumer groups and Taiwan's Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI), some of the helmets produced and/or sold in Taiwan were subjected to a battery of tests to determine their ability to protect the user and operate in a safe manner.

Of the 10 helmets that were scrutinized by the BSMI, only the GiD branded model from Shang Yang Industrial failed the testing with a broken chinstrap.

Shang Yang's website claims:

ROAR bicycle helmets are tested and certified to meet or exceed the Euro- CE and US CPSC Safety Standards. By using the most advanced production technology and combination of modern designs, ROAR Helmets makes the most competitive and superior quality helmets in the industry. ROAR designer helmets for children are safe, high quality, uniquely designed and set it apart from most children helmets on the streets today.

It further troubles me that the recall has yet to be posted on their website as you might expect during a safety recall.

The GiD recall raises an important issue for consumers in Taiwan-- How do we know we are safe?

I have wrestled with this problem in my own purchasing and opted to order my helmet online from the Unite States rather than face the uncertainty of the Taiwan marketplace.

All bicycle helmets sold in the United States must pass a rigorous testing process overseen by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (C.P.S.C.). Imported helmets from the United States should have a C.P.S.C. mark or label inside the helmet. No matter how light or heavy, they all meet the same standard.

I feel less safe in Taiwan when buying helmets, and this is largely due to the lack of regular testing, and the greater availability of counterfeit products from China. Both issues raise red flags for me as a rider as I need to be confident that I am doing the best I can to come out of a crash with my wits about me.

My next helmet was a Bell that I bought while visiting the USA. Maybe I am being paranoid, but with a helmet, I need to be sure.

編號1號"GiD/57~60cm/609"、FAIL

編號2號"Asia/55.5~58.5cm/A-302"、

編號3號"GIANT/55.5~58.5cm/CS-3000M"、

編號4號"MERIDA/58.5cm以上/CS-1700L"、

編號5號"XTR/58~62cm"、

編號6號"隆輝/58~61cm"、

編號7號"堇椿/M55~58cm"、

編號8號"FUNDER/S51~54cm M55~58cm"、

編號9號"SHORPion/54~58cm"、

編號10號"BELL/58~65cm"

New Helmet Blues

AGU (West?) Covina

A couple weeks ago, on the same ride that killed my iPod, my Spiuk helmet strap snapped. It actually broke right on the plastic part of the strap as if the plastic seam just broke with no force. That kind of pisses me off as I was trusting my safety with that.

I needed a helmet in a pinch and I have a really small head. Finding a really good, small helmet is hard enough without having to get a kids helmet, and in Taiwan it is even harder as many Asian faces are wider and they can usually fit a medium or large (so I am told). A helmet that doesn't fit well can end up causing neck and back discomfort due to weight distribution and compensation.

I picked up this AGU helmet for $1800 as my stop gap helmet until I can get a better one in the US next week. My big problems are the cheap straps that feel flimsy, and the liner has no mesh to keep the bugs out.