The days when Bermudians could coast down the roads in Centurions or bucket helmets are gone with the wind.

New amendments to the Auxiliary Bicycles Act were tabled in the House of Assembly on Friday, updating the standards for bike helmets being sold on the Island. Once passed, the legislation would mean that any helmet sold by a retailer must meet one of four standards.

The first standard is the European/United Nations ECE Regulation (signified by a tag with an "E" and a number inside a circle sewn into the strap of the helmet). This, according to chairman of the Road Safety Council Dr. Joseph Froncioni, is a good, objectively tested standard.

The second standard is the British BS 6658 standard (signified by the British Standard Institute or BSI kite mark), a rough equivalent to the UN standard, while the third is the Snell standard. Helmets passed by Snell are the best in the world, said Dr. Froncioni, including those worn by Formula One drivers. In fact, companies avoid being tested by Snell as they are almost too stringent, he said.

The fourth (and most problematic) standard is the US Department of Transport standard (signified by a "DOT" sticker on the helmet). This standard is problematic because it is both voluntary and honour-based, with the burden of testing and the decision to pass or fail falling on the manufacturer. "It's as though I give you an exam and a textbook then say `You give yourself a mark,'" explained Dr. Froncioni.

In fact, tests in the States have shown that only about 60-70 percent of the DOT helmets are safe. "And that's where they check," said Dr. Froncioni. "Bermuda doesn't check."

A helmet which simply bears the DOT sticker will not be enough, he said, adding that retailers will have to also provide a document from the manufacturer saying the helmet had been tested by an independent lab.

And with the Road Traffic Act stating protective headgear must be worn, and "protective headgear" redefined by this amendment, riders will no longer be allowed to get away with wearing riding or military helmets, or helmets such as the little white ones which can be rented at some of the cycle liveries, he said. "We found that one of the reasons we have so many head injuries in Bermuda was that the helmets were below par," said Dr. Froncioni. "The standards had never really been revamped... The net result (of this legislation) we hope will be fewer head injuries."

"We wanted to expand the number of standards allowed and ensure helmets on the Island met those standards," said TCD director Kevin Monkman. A TCD official will be dispatched to check retailers are selling only standardised helmets, he added.

Few retailers contacted by The Royal Gazette seemed concerned about the legislation, saying their helmets already met the required standards.