Helmet help ahead.(Bike Helmets - Test)

Two years ago, Spencer Wright didn't notice the car traveling behind him as he pedaled down a one-way street. Wright turned left into the car's path, suffering a broken neck and other injuries. But his head was unhurt, thanks to the helmet he was wearing. Now Wright, 77, is finishing the cross-country ride his accident interrupted.

Wright's story isn't unique. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that helmets can reduce the risk of head injury by 85 percent. Indeed, 90 percent of those who died after a bike accident in 2000 weren't wearing a helmet, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

State and local laws have helped boost helmet use. Bike helmets are currently required for riders under age 16 in Alabama, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. In other states, some cities or counties have helmet laws; fines are typically as much as $50 for each offense.

That could put you in the market for a helmet if you don't own one. Even if you do, you may want to consider a newer model. Our tests of 20 bike helmets for adults, youths, and toddlers show that many are better ventilated and offer more features than those tested in 1999. Two CR Best Buys, from Specialized and Trek, cost $40 or less.

Choosing the right bike helmet can be a head-spinning experience, however, especially if you or a child also enjoys skateboarding. While all bike helmets are suitable for in-line skating and scootering, those aimed at skateboarding provide different protection. A few helmets are designed for all four sports, but they may not be worth the sacrifice in comfort (see "If You Also Skateboard," page 23).

Here's how to navigate the choices at the store.

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