Why SHARP?

Motorcyclists are the most vulnerable group of road users - making up just 1% of traffic in the UK but accounting for 19% of all deaths.

Of 599 motorcyclist fatalities in 2006 research shows that approximately 80% of motorcyclists killed and 70% of those with serious injuries sustain head injuries. Scientific analysis has shown that if all riders wore the safest helmets available up to 50 lives could be saved each year.

Laboratory tests have shown that there are real differences in the safety performance of motorcycle helmets available in the market. All helmets must meet minimum legal safety standards but the SHARP scheme uses a wider range of tests to provide riders with more information on how much protection a helmet can provide in a crash. This objective advice will help riders to chose the safest helmet suitable for them. Differences in safety performance do not necessarily follow price trends.

There is no comparative rating system available for motorcycle helmets anywhere in the world!