The History Of The Humble Bicycle Helmet

Before bike helmets became everyday safety gear, cyclists relied largely on confidence, balance, and … luck. 

Today, whether you’re commuting through city traffic or heading out on a weekend ride, a helmet is a safety must-have. But how did it become such an essential piece of kit? 

This guide explores bike helmet history (from early protective caps to the high-tech designs we see today), answering common questions like “Who invented bike helmets?” and “When did cyclists start wearing helmets?” along the way.

A brief timeline of bicycle helmet evolution

Cycling before helmets were invented

Cast your mind back to the era of Penny Farthings, with their enormous front wheels and solid rubber tyres. This was the environment in which bicycle helmets first appeared. 

It’s shocking to think that there was little to no head protection for Victorians, given how high off the ground their saddles were.

Cycling without the safety

In the earliest days of cycling, helmets simply weren’t considered necessary. Granted, roads were quieter, bicycles were slower, and cycling was often seen as a leisure activity rather than a daily mode of transport. 

In the early 1900s, most riders wore standard clothing or soft caps, offering no real head protection. When protective headgear did appear, it was typically adapted from other sports.

The first bicycle helmet

What we would classify as a “helmet” by modern standards did not exist until the 1970s. Whether you wore head protection in the olden days largely depended upon your status and occupation, with leather “hairnet” helmets originally being used in early motor racing and by professionals. 

These prototype helmets (an open design made from strips of leather that formed a sort of cage around the skull) were designed to prevent cuts rather than absorb serious impacts.

Helmets evolved with bicycles

Helmets only began to evolve when bicycles did. As bikes became more sophisticated, gaining better braking systems, improved tyres, and a greater number of gears, helmets transformed too. 

It's simple: bikes could go faster, so rider safety came into sharper focus. And with that, came the development of more protective headgear.

Who invented the bike helmet? (and why there isn't a single answer)

Since the earliest models of bicycle helmet (the “hairnet” styles and earlier) were adopted from other sports, it is difficult to pinpoint a distinct “inventor”. 

Bike helmets developed gradually, influenced by advances in materials science, medical research, and safety equipment from other industries. This gradual development mirrors the invention of the bicycle itself. 

That said, many people cite two companies, Bell Sports and MSR, for their pivotal roles in manufacturing the modern bike helmet. 

• MSR (Mountain Safety Research) made mountaineering equipment, while Bell Sports made helmets for motorbikes and auto racing. 
• Their designs took inspiration from the polystyrene liners used in motorcycle helmets and gave them polycarbonate plastic shells.

When was the bike helmet invented?

The 1975 “Bell Biker” is widely accepted as the first commercially successful bike helmet with modern features (like the polystyrene-lined hard shell).

Bike helmet safety upgrades in the 1970s

In the 1970s, bike safety got a number of upgrades - and so did helmets. Namely, the introduction of expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam, as mentioned above. 

Unlike leather caps, foam helmets were designed to crush on impact, absorbing energy and reducing the force transferred to the rider’s head. This innovation marked the beginning of modern helmet testing and safety standards. 

Thanks to the EPS evolution, helmets became: 

• Lighter 
• More comfortable 
• More consistent in protecting riders 
• And more portable and convenient.

How professional cycling normalised helmet usage

Despite the technological advancements, though, it was still quite uncommon for people to wear bicycle helmets in the 1970s. This norm wouldn’t kick in until the 1990s at least. 

In the professional cycling sphere, too, helmets were often resisted. However, around this time increased media coverage of crashes and injuries began to change public perception. 

As professional riders gradually adopted helmets, they began to normalise their use for everyday cyclists. 

• From the late 70s onwards, helmets began to shift from being seen as optional equipment to a standard part of riding safely. 
• It’s no coincidence that helmets began to look “cooler” at this time, too, with improvements in ventilation and material weight improving their aesthetics.

Modern bicycle helmets: features, style & functionality

Now, the standard bicycle helmet combines cutting-edge technology and decades of testing into an understated, yet effective, household item that no cyclist sets off without. 

• Modern helmet materials are the lightest they’ve ever been, from the straps and the liners to the hard shell. They are often even recycled or made from sustainable materials, too. 
• Helmets are now suitable for all weathers and all types of cycling (commuting, leisure riding, and longer-distance or off-road cycling). 
• In more recent years, additional safety features such as clip-on cameras, lights, and reflective designs have taken helmet safety even further, significantly improving the experience for cyclists riding after dark or in poor visibility conditions. 

But what’s next for helmets?

Will e-bikes affect helmet design?

E-bikes have well and truly upped the ante for cyclists, adding faster speeds, easier riding, and longer distances into the mix. They are also heavier than regular bikes. Can we expect this to have an impact on the future of bicycle helmets? 

We certainly think so. Just as early helmets gained protective elements when bikes gained gears and brakes, the modern helmet is likely to gain additional protection and impact management features as bikes have gotten faster and more “dangerous”.

Staying safe on the roads means more than just wearing a helmet

While helmets play a vital role in cycling safety, they’re only one part of the picture. 

A well-maintained bike improves control, braking performance and overall reliability. Routine checks and servicing help ensure components like chains, suspension and brakes perform as they should. 

At selected Kwik Fit locations, Fettle bike and e-bike repair and servicing supports cyclists with expert maintenance and repairs. Contact us and find your local Kwik Fit for expert bike support today.