Buying a helmet for an e-bike or fatbike seems straightforward until you compare different standards, fits and use cases. For a regular e-bike or fatbike with assistance up to 25 km/h, there is currently no general helmet requirement in the Netherlands. Different rules apply to speed pedelecs, where an approved helmet is compulsory.
We therefore would not start with the question “which helmet looks best?”, but with three more practical ones: how fast do you ride, how long are your rides, and which helmet stays comfortable enough that you will actually wear it every time?
When is a helmet compulsory?
For a regular electric bicycle, electric cargo bike or fatbike with pedal assistance up to a maximum of 25 km/h, the Dutch government applies the same basic rule as for a normal bicycle: a helmet is not compulsory. The government does, however, recommend wearing one.
For a speed pedelec, an approved moped helmet or approved speed-pedelec helmet is compulsory. A speed-pedelec helmet can be identified by the following standard: NTA 8776:2016.
What does NTA 8776 mean?
NTA 8776 was developed for higher speeds and impact energies than those typically associated with normal urban cycling. Helmets with this certification generally provide more coverage and are specifically tested for speed-pedelec and fast e-bike use.
That does not automatically mean every regular e-bike rider needs an NTA helmet, but if you ride frequently and at higher speeds, it is a category worth including in your comparison.
Three specific helmets worth comparing
The models below are examples of NTA-certified urban helmets. This is not a hands-on test or ranking.
MET E-Mob
MET describes the E-Mob as an NTA 8776-certified urban e-bike helmet with extended head coverage and a rechargeable LED rear light. The manufacturer lists sizes S, M and L and a weight of around 320 grams for size M.
Worth considering if: you want a relatively light urban helmet with an integrated rear light.
MET E-Mob Mips
According to MET, this version adds the Mips-C2 system. It is also NTA 8776-certified and includes a rechargeable rear light. The stated weights are slightly higher than the non-Mips version.
Worth considering if: you want the same urban-focused base design but also specifically want to compare a system designed to manage rotational movement in certain impacts.
ABUS Pedelec 2.0
ABUS lists both EN 1078 and NTA 8776 for the Pedelec 2.0. The helmet is therefore designed for urban and e-bike use and also meets the speed-pedelec standard. Always check the current product version and certification marking at the time of purchase.
Worth considering if: you want a well-known urban helmet that is explicitly certified to NTA 8776.
View the current Pedelec range at ABUS →
Fit matters more than brand
A helmet that is too loose, slides backwards or creates pressure points is often worn less well in real life. Measure your head circumference and try different sizes where possible. The helmet should sit level on your head and should not shift when you shake your head normally.
Also check:
- clearance around glasses;
- comfort at the temples and back of the head;
- whether the adjustment dial can be used with gloves;
- ventilation on longer rides;
- visibility in the dark, for example through reflective elements or an integrated light.
For a fatbike, e-bike or city bike?
The name on the box matters less than how you use the bicycle. Someone commuting 20 kilometres every day needs different ventilation and comfort from someone making short trips around Lelystad. A fatbike does not require a separate type of helmet under Dutch law as long as the vehicle qualifies as a regular electric bicycle within the legal limits.
If you are unsure about the bicycle category or rules, also read our fatbike buying guide.
Our practical approach
For daily use, we would rather choose a helmet that looks slightly less dramatic but genuinely fits well than a more expensive helmet that becomes irritating after ten minutes. On a speed pedelec, the correct approval is not optional; on a regular e-bike or fatbike, comfort, safety and the likelihood that you will actually wear the helmet every ride matter most.
Sources
- Dutch government: rules for e-bikes, electric cargo bikes and fatbikes
- Dutch government: helmet requirement for speed pedelecs
- Actuele fabrikantinformatie van MET en ABUS via de hierboven gelinkte pagina’s.
This article currently contains no affiliate links and is not a hands-on test of the helmets mentioned.
Atmosphere photo: Yen Vu / Unsplash.