E-bike–rated helmet
The single most important accessory. E-bikes go faster than standard bikes — your helmet should be rated for it (NTA-8776 or Virginia Tech 5-star).
An e-bike helmet is not a regular bike helmet. Class 3 e-bikes travel up to 28 mph — the impact energy at that speed is more than double a standard bike crash. The European NTA-8776 standard exists specifically for speed-pedelecs and covers the temple and back of the head where most e-bike crashes hit. Virginia Tech's independent 5-star ratings are the only US-side data that actually predicts concussion risk.
Look for MIPS (or an equivalent rotational-impact system), good ventilation if you commute year-round, and integrated lighting if you ride at night. Replace any helmet that has taken a hard hit — the foam doesn't come back.
Where to buy
Two paths — match your spend to the bike. Quality picks last longer and protect resale; affordable picks get you riding safely today.
Quality picks
Affordable picks
Affiliate disclosure: some supplier links above are affiliate links and may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects which accessories we list or how we rank them.
Pro tips from our test team
- Fit beats brand. A perfect-fitting $80 helmet protects better than a poorly-fitting $300 one.
- If you ride Class 3 (28 mph), insist on NTA-8776 — most bike helmets are not rated for that speed.
- Buy a second helmet for guests and family. Borrowing a helmet that doesn't fit is worse than no helmet.