Virgo Move helmet standards and tests: beyond certifications, a comprehensive approach to protection

With the rapid rise of electric mobility (electric bikes, speed pedelecs, electric scooters), the issue of safety has become paramount. Average speeds are increasing, usage patterns are evolving, and accident scenarios are closer to those of motorized traffic than to traditional cycling.

We made a clear choice: to design Virgo Move full-face helmets around the strictest and most recognized safety standards in the world, while going beyond minimum requirements through additional testing and a continuous improvement approach.

Our goal is not simply to "be certified", but to offer protection that is truly adapted to the new speeds of electric mobility, everywhere in the world.

Why independent standards and tests are essential

Safety standards are an essential foundation: they guarantee that a helmet meets specific criteria for design, shock absorption, and fit. But not all standards are created equal, and above all, certification alone doesn't tell the whole story.

This is why more and more players in the sector, such as independent university laboratories, are supplementing regulatory certifications with comparative tests in real-world conditions, including rotational impacts, now recognized as one of the main factors in head injuries.

This approach reinforces our vision:

• Standards are essential to guarantee an official and recognized level of safety.
• Additional tests allow for a more precise evaluation of a helmet's actual performance.
• The overall design (structure, materials, embedded technologies) makes all the difference on the field.

The standards chosen by Virgo Move: a high level of requirements

We have deliberately developed our helmets around three major certifications: EN 1078 , NTA 8776 and ASTM F1447-18 & F1446-20 . Together, they cover Europe, the United States, Canada and a large part of the world, and represent the most demanding standards for bicycle and e-bike helmets today.

EN 1078: the indispensable European foundation

The EN 1078 standard governs helmets intended for cyclists, as well as for rollerbladers and skateboarders. It defines strict requirements regarding:

• the construction of the helmet,
• shock absorption,
• the effectiveness of the retention system,
• stability and marking.

This is the regulatory foundation for legally and safely riding a bicycle or a conventional e-bike in Europe.

NTA-8776: the benchmark for fast electric bikes

The NTA-8776 standard was specifically developed for speed pedelecs, capable of reaching speeds of up to 45 km/h. It goes well beyond EN 1078:

• impact tests at higher speeds,
• increased energy absorption requirements,
• expanded protection zone, particularly at the temples and the back of the skull,
• reinforced criteria for helmet stability and resistance.

Today, NTA-8776 is widely recognized as the most demanding standard for electric bike helmets. It is perfectly suited to fast urban riding and daily commutes using electric mobility.

ASTM F1447-18: the North American reference standard

The ASTM F1447-18 standard is mandatory for all bicycle helmets sold in the United States and Canada. It covers:

• impact resistance,
• positional stability,
• the robustness of the retention system,
• helmet identification and labeling.

By incorporating this certification, Virgo Move helmets guarantee a consistent level of safety internationally, regardless of the country of use.

A design built for real-world impacts, not just tests

Regulatory standards primarily assess linear impacts. However, recent studies show that, in the majority of accidents, the impacts are oblique and rotational.

That's why our helmets incorporate the MIPS system , designed to reduce rotational forces transmitted to the brain in the event of an impact. This technology follows the same logic as the advanced testing protocols used by some independent laboratories: to better reflect the reality of accidents.

For us, security is based on a comprehensive approach:

• Monocoque structure for better force distribution,
• materials selected for their absorption capacity and durability,
• complementary protection technologies,
• design conceived for the stability of the helmet on the head.

Virgo Move helmet crash tests: strict specifications, and more

To meet EN 1078, NTA-8776 and ASTM F1447-18 & F1446-20 standards, our helmets undergo a series of rigorous crash tests:

• vertical and oblique impacts,
• energy absorption tests,
• penetration resistance,
• efficiency of the retention system,
• helmet stability in dynamic conditions.

The tests are carried out in specialized laboratories, notably in China, in strict compliance with international protocols. The testing location does not influence certification: it is the methods, thresholds, and controls that determine certification.

Beyond regulatory requirements, we also conduct additional internal tests to reinforce certain key points of the structure and to continuously improve the strength and durability of our helmets.

Virgo Move full-face helmet chin guard: a still incomplete regulatory framework

The chin bar on our Virgo Move full-face helmets legitimately raises questions. To date, no specific European standard exists for certifying a bicycle helmet chin bar.

The only dedicated standard is the American standard ASTM F1952-22 , used for downhill mountain biking helmets in competition. It defines precise criteria regarding:

• mitigating the impact,
• the solidity of the structure,
• the effectiveness of the retention system,
• the extent of facial protection.

Even in the absence of an equivalent European framework, the design of the Virgo chin guard is inspired by the most demanding principles in facial protection.

Bicycle helmets and motorcycle helmets: different standards for different uses

Motorcycle helmets are subject to the ECE 22.06 standard , with protocols adapted to masses, speeds and impact scenarios very different from those of active mobility.

As a rough estimate, in 2025:

• A motorcycle helmet is crash-tested at impact speeds of approximately 28 to 30 km/h .
• A bicycle helmet conforming to the EN 1078 standard is tested at approximately 19 to 20 km/h .
• The NTA-8776 standard raises these speeds to approximately 22 to 23 km/h , with an expanded protection zone.

Each standard is designed for a specific use. A high-performance e-bike helmet is not a lightweight motorcycle helmet, but equipment specifically designed to absorb the energy and rotational forces associated with falls during active mobility.

Materials and design conceived for performance and comfort

The safety of a helmet does not depend solely on standards and tests. It also depends directly on the materials used, their assembly, and the level of comfort.

ABS outer shell: strength and durability

Virgo Move helmets feature an ABS outer shell , renowned for its high resistance to impacts and abrasion. This plays a key role in distributing impact energy and protecting the helmet's internal structure.

EPS inner lining: energy absorption

The EPS (expanded polystyrene) inner lining is designed to absorb and dissipate energy during an impact, thus reducing the forces transmitted to the head.

Adjustable cushions and optimized ventilation

Cushions available in various thicknesses ensure a precise fit, improved stability, and enhanced comfort. Nine vents optimize airflow for everyday urban use.

Protection designed for all new forms of mobility.

Virgo Move helmets are designed to accompany:

• the bicycle and the electric bicycle,
• the speed pedelec
• the electric scooter,
• skateboarding and rollerblading.

These are all urban practices that require reliable, versatile protection adapted to new speeds of movement.

Virgo Move's long-term vision of security

Once certification is obtained, the work continues. With our DMO Brand Solution design office, we work according to a logic of continuous improvement.

• analysis of feedback from the field,
• evolution of materials and structures,
• integration of technological advances,
• anticipating future standards and practices.

Because mobility is evolving rapidly, we are constantly improving our helmets to offer you optimal safety, no matter how you move.