The Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme (SHARP) evaluates motorcycle helmet safety through rigorous testing protocols established by the British government in 2007.
Testing Methodology
Consumer-Focused Evaluation
SHARP purchases helmets directly from retail stores to ensure authentic testing of products available to riders. Each helmet model undergoes 32 distinct tests across seven samples, measuring protective capabilities against various impact scenarios.
Impact Assessment
The testing protocol examines helmet performance in collisions with both flat surfaces and curbs at multiple speeds. This comprehensive approach yields a straightforward five-star rating system, where five stars indicate superior protection across all helmet zones.
Scientific Validation
Academic Review
In 2009, University of Birmingham researcher Nigel Mills questioned SHARP’s rotational acceleration testing methods. The Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) provided a detailed rebuttal, defending SHARP’s alignment with British Standards BS 6658 and ECE Regulation 22 protocols.
Safety Differential
SHARP’s data reveals a significant 70% difference in protection between one-star and five-star rated helmets. This finding underscores the practical value of their rating system, though all tested helmets meet ECE R22 certification requirements.
International Recognition
SHARP’s contributions to road safety have earned prestigious awards, including the Prince Michael International Road Safety Award in 2013 and the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) Road Safety Award.
Global Impact
French Adaptation
Following SHARP’s model, France developed Certimoov in 2014. This program, created by the MAIF Foundation and the University of Strasbourg, incorporates advanced brain modeling and oblique impact testing. Certimoov extends its evaluation to include bicycle helmets, using a similar five-star rating system.
Market Influence
The SHARP rating system has become a crucial decision-making tool for motorcycle retailers and riders worldwide, helping consumers make informed safety choices[3].
Citations:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SHARP_(helmet_ratings)
SHARP (the Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme) is a British government quality ratings scheme for motorcycle helmets, established in 2007, with the objective of improving motorcycle safety on UK roads.
| Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme | |
 SHARP logo - UK motorcycle helmet rating scheme | |
| Status | Active |
|---|---|
| Year started | 2007 |
| Organization | Department for Transport (DfT) |
| Base standards | British Standards BS 6658, ECE Regulation 22 |
| Domain | Motorcycle helmets, road safety |
| License | UK Crown copyright |
| Website | https://SHARP.dft.gov.uk |
Helmets which are selected for testing by SHARP are purchased from consumer retailers. This ensures that the helmets tested by SHARP are exactly the same as what UK motorcyclists can buy. The helmets are tested, seven for each model, using 32 tests, which aim to measure the protection they offer the brain in impacts at a variety of speeds, and against both flat surfaces and kerbs. It rates the helmet models from one to five stars - with five being the highest, and states that a five star rated helmet "offers good levels of protection right around the helmet."
Nigel Mills of the University of Birmingham criticised the SHARP scheme in a paper in 2009, examining its testing of rotational acceleration, despite SHARP using the test procedures specified in British Standards BS 6658, and also the United Nations World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations ECE Regulation 22. The UK's Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) delivered a detailed response addressing the Nigel Mills paper in November 2009. SHARP stress that irrespective of their own ratings, all helmets sold in the UK have been certified to comply with the relevant legal standard, namely ECE R22. However, it also points out that there is a 70% difference in protection between a SHARP one star rating compared to their five star rating.
SHARP has been given two prestigious road safety awards; the Prince Michael International Road Safety Award (2013, Motorcycle category) in recognition of its outstanding contribution to improving road safety, and the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) annual Road Safety Award recognising achievements in helping motorcyclists.
Some retailers of motorcycle helmets – and many riders globally – use SHARP star ratings as a selection criterion.