The Consumer Rating and Assessment of Safety Helmets (CRASH), a consortium of Transport for NSW, Insurance Australia Group (IAG) and Transport Accident Commission (TAC), tested 30 helmets against a range of criteria including protection and comfort.

The results of the tests were released this morning as Minister for Roads Andrew Constance and Minister for Regional Roads Paul Toole welcomed riders to an annual breakfast to celebrate the launch of Motorcycle Awareness Month with the Motorcycle Council of NSW and The Brotherhood Christian Motorcycle Club.

“Motorcyclists are much more exposed than motorists if they’re in a crash which is why choosing the best helmet is so important,” Mr Constance said.

“So far this year, there have been 51 motorcyclists killed on NSW roads. This is eight more than during the same period last year.

“In 2018, 16 per cent of all road fatalities (54 fatalities) and 12 per cent of all road injuries (2,096 injuries) were sustained by motorcyclists. When you realise motorcycles only account for around four percent of all motor vehicle registrations these statistics are concerning.”

Mr Toole said motorcycle riders can use these results to select the safest motorcycle helmet available.

“Helmets are proven to reduce the severity of head injuries as well as the likelihood of death and permanent injury. These CRASH ratings give riders more information so they can choose the best helmet for their situation.”

Motorcycle Council of NSW Chairman Kevin Henry said responsibility for road safety needs to be shared among the motorcycling community as well as other road users.

“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility and motorcyclists also need to ensure their behaviour is safe and make safe choices on the road – from choosing the right helmet and protective gear, to scanning for hazards and staying under the speed limit.”

The ratings for helmets and clothing can be viewed online at www.crash.org.au  and www.motocap.com.au