Helmet STAR Adds 53 New Bicycle Helmet Ratings
Transport for NSW and the Transport Accident Commission have released more than 50 new five-star-scale safety ratings for bicycle helmets.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Cycling
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Transport for NSW and the Transport Accident Commission released 53 new Helmet STAR bicycle helmet ratings, bringing the total number of helmets comparable through the rating system to more than 100. The ratings use a one-to-five-star scale modelled on ANCAP vehicle safety ratings.
Why it matters
Cyclists can use the ratings to compare helmet safety performance across a growing range of models and prices. Helmets are associated with substantial reductions in head and fatal injuries, making independent safety information relevant to riders across Australia.
The latest release adds 53 new ratings, and the rated helmets range from $40 to $270 in price. Helmets are associated with about a 70 per cent reduction in head injuries and a 65 per cent reduction in fatal injuries.
The players
Transport for NSW
The New South Wales government transport agency that co-runs the Helmet STAR bicycle helmet rating program.
Transport Accident Commission
The Victorian government body that partners with Transport for NSW on the Helmet STAR program.
The details
Every helmet is independently tested at the NSW Crashlab in Western Sydney, with assessments covering stability, vertical drop tests, strap strength and moving-platform angular impact tests. Among the newly rated helmets, the $79 Trek Tyro children's helmet, the $40 Fluid Vector road helmet, the $170 Trek Starvos WaveCel, the $100 Lazer Lupo KinetiCore and the $270 O'Neal Transition full-face helmet each received five stars.
Timeline
The testing behind the latest release was undertaken over the previous two years.
The latest Helmet STAR ratings were released on 1 November 2026.
Roadmap
The Helmet STAR system applies the one-to-five-star framework used by ANCAP for vehicle safety to bicycle helmets. Extending that approach gives cyclists a comparable safety signal similar to the one motorists already use when buying cars.
Riders shopping for a helmet can check the Helmet STAR ratings before buying, and parents can compare the five-star children's options. The newly rated models span price points from $40 to $270, so cyclists have choices across budgets.
The takeaway
Checking independent star ratings before buying a helmet can help cyclists choose protection that has been tested under standardised crash scenarios. Helmets remain one of the most effective measures for reducing head and fatal injuries when riding.
Further reading
Explore more cycling coverage for context on riding safety and equipment across Australia.
More information
Compare helmet ratings on the Helmet STAR bicycle helmet ratings website before choosing a helmet.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Condobolin Argus.
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