Cycling Helmet Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Road Helmets, Sports Helmets, MTB Helmets, Others), By Application (Sports/Adventure, Daily Transportation), By Distribution Channel (Online, Offline), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 2.14 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	6.31%
Fastest Growing Segment	Online
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 3.09 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Cycling Helmet Market will grow from USD 2.14 Billion in 2025 to USD 3.09 Billion by 2031 at a 6.31% CAGR. A cycling helmet is a specialized protective headgear engineered to attenuate impact energy and minimize the risk of traumatic brain injuries for riders during collisions or falls. The growth of this market is fundamentally supported by stringent government enforcement of safety regulations and the rapid expansion of dedicated urban infrastructure which encourages daily commuting. Furthermore, the rising global adoption of electric bicycles necessitates certified safety equipment, creating a sustained demand for high performance gear. According to PeopleForBikes, in 2024, 112 million Americans rode a bicycle at least once, underscoring the vast and expanding participant base that directly drives the need for protective accessories.

However, a significant challenge impeding market expansion is the proliferation of counterfeit products which compromise user safety and damage brand integrity. These substandard replicas not only dilute the market share of legitimate manufacturers but also erode consumer trust in safety certifications. Additionally, ongoing global economic fluctuations can constrain discretionary spending, leading customers to defer purchases of premium protective equipment or opt for lower cost alternatives, thereby limiting revenue potential for established market leaders.

Key Market Drivers

The rapid expansion of the electric bicycle market significantly influences helmet manufacturing and sales dynamics. As e-bikes offer higher speeds and increased mass compared to traditional bicycles, riders face elevated impact risks, necessitating advanced head protection capable of absorbing greater kinetic energy. This shift has compelled manufacturers to develop specialized helmets meeting rigorous standards such as NTA-8776, thereby driving the replacement cycle of older gear. According to the Zweirad-Industrie-Verband (ZIV), March 2024, in the 'The Market 2023' report, electric bicycles captured a majority market share in Germany for the first time, accounting for 53 percent of total domestic bicycle sales. This dominance of motorized cycles compels consumers to prioritize heavy-duty protective equipment, sustaining value growth in the premium segment.

Concurrently, the surge in adoption of bicycles for eco-friendly urban commuting is expanding the consumer base for protective headgear. Municipalities are increasingly integrating cycling into transportation networks, which normalizes daily riding but also places cyclists in proximity to motor vehicle traffic, heightening the perceived need for safety precautions. According to Transport for London, July 2024, in the 'Travel in London' update, daily cycling journeys in the capital reached 1.26 million in 2023, representing a 6.3 percent increase from the previous year. To support this modal shift, governments are investing heavily in infrastructure, which correlates with higher equipment usage. For instance, according to the UK Department for Transport, in 2024, an investment of £101 million was confirmed to improve cycling and walking routes, further solidifying the infrastructure required to support long-term market volume.

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Key Market Challenges

The proliferation of counterfeit products presents a critical challenge to the Global Cycling Helmet Market, fundamentally undermining user safety and brand reliability. Unlike legitimate safety gear, these substandard replicas bypass rigorous impact testing and certification processes, often failing to provide necessary protection during collisions. This influx of non-compliant equipment not only jeopardizes the lives of riders but also erodes consumer confidence in established safety standards. When users unknowingly purchase inferior helmets that fail catastrophically, the resulting reputational damage extends to authentic manufacturers, making it increasingly difficult for premium brands to maintain trust and justify the value of certified, high-performance gear.

Financially, the circulation of fake merchandise siphons significant revenue away from legitimate stakeholders, directly reducing the capital available for innovation and safety research. According to the Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry (FESI), in 2024, the sporting goods sector suffered annual losses of approximately €850 million due to the circulation of counterfeit equipment. This substantial diversion of funds forces market leaders to allocate resources toward brand protection and legal enforcement rather than product development. Consequently, the persistent threat of counterfeiting restricts the market’s overall growth potential and hampers the industry's ability to introduce advanced safety technologies to a broader consumer base.

Key Market Trends

The adoption of advanced rotational impact protection technologies represents a fundamental shift in helmet engineering, moving beyond traditional linear force absorption to address the mechanics of oblique collisions. Unlike standard foam liners designed primarily for direct hits, these slip-plane systems allow the helmet to move slightly around the head during an accident, thereby redirecting dangerous rotational motion that can cause severe brain trauma. This focus on comprehensive impact management has gained rapid industry-wide traction as safety becomes a primary differentiator for consumers. According to Bicycle Retailer and Industry News, February 2025, the demand for this specialized technology surged significantly, with MIPS reporting that net sales in its sports category grew by 35 percent to SEK 437 million in 2024.

Simultaneously, the market is undergoing a decisive shift toward sustainable and recycled manufacturing materials, driven by increasing environmental awareness and the broader push for a circular economy. Manufacturers are increasingly replacing virgin expanded polystyrene and polycarbonate shells with reclaimed plastics to reduce the carbon footprint of production without compromising structural integrity. This transition is further supported by component suppliers who are actively reengineering safety layers to align with these eco-friendly standards. According to Mips AB, March 2025, in the 'Annual and Sustainability Report 2024', the company increased the proportion of recycled materials used in its safety solutions to 34 percent, reflecting a 16 percent rise from the previous year.

Segmental Insights

The Online segment is positioned as the fastest-growing distribution channel in the Global Cycling Helmet Market, driven by the increasing consumer reliance on digital commerce. This expansion is largely attributed to the superior convenience offered by e-commerce platforms, which provide access to a wider inventory of international brands compared to physical retail. Shoppers benefit from the ability to rigorously compare safety certifications and technical features directly on vendor websites. Furthermore, manufacturers are actively enhancing their direct-to-consumer logistics, ensuring that high-quality protective gear is readily accessible to a global audience through efficient online fulfillment.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a leading position in the global cycling helmet market, driven by high consumer awareness regarding personal safety and growing participation in recreational cycling. The market is significantly bolstered by strict safety standards established by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, which mandates compliance for all bicycle helmets sold within the United States. These regulations ensure consistent product quality and drive consumer confidence. Furthermore, established infrastructure for cycling and government initiatives supporting active transportation continue to sustain the strong demand for protective headgear throughout the region.

Recent Developments

• In August 2024, Trek Bicycle Corporation updated its mountain bike accessory portfolio with the release of the Quantum, Rally, and Blaze helmets, all featuring an advanced version of WaveCel safety technology. The company redesigned the cellular impact-absorbing structure to be lighter and more breathable, directly addressing rider feedback regarding heat management on the trails. These new models were developed to offer varying levels of coverage for different off-road disciplines, ranging from cross-country to aggressive enduro riding. This product launch highlighted the organization's continued focus on proprietary material sciences to enhance head protection standards within the Global Cycling Helmet Market.
• In August 2024, Canyon Bicycles GmbH expanded beyond bicycle manufacturing into the safety equipment sector with the debut of the Disruptr CFR and Stingr CFR helmets. These premium models were notable for being the first to incorporate the HighBar retention system, a semi-rigid plastic arm design that replaced traditional fabric straps to reduce wind noise and improve aerodynamic performance. The helmets were developed with technical partners to ensure optimal fit and temperature regulation for competitive racing. This diversification marked a significant milestone for the company as it established a direct presence in the high-end segment of the Global Cycling Helmet Market.
• In February 2024, Specialized Bicycle Components introduced the Propero 4, a road cycling helmet engineered to successfully merge aerodynamic efficiency with advanced cooling capabilities. By leveraging Computational Fluid Dynamics and extensive wind tunnel testing, the company created a profile that incorporated the aerodynamic advantages of its premier racing models with the superior ventilation features of its lightweight climbing helmets. The new model utilized Micro Channeling technology to optimize airflow and enhance rider comfort during high-intensity efforts. This strategic release targeted enthusiast riders seeking professional-grade performance features at a competitive price point within the Global Cycling Helmet Market.
• In January 2024, Lazer Sport NV launched the Z1 KinetiCore, a new cycling helmet positioned as the lightest model on the market to feature rotational impact protection. The company integrated its proprietary KinetiCore technology directly into the helmet's EPS foam blocks, eliminating the need for an additional slip-plane liner, which significantly reduced overall weight while improving ventilation. This strategic product release aimed to provide road cyclists with a high-performance safety solution that met rigorous 5-star safety rating standards. The launch reinforced the manufacturer’s commitment to replacing third-party safety layers with built-in structural innovations to capture market share in the Global Cycling Helmet Market.

Key Market Players

• Vista Outdoor Inc.
• KASK S.P.A.
• Trek Bicycle Corporation
• Uvex Sports GmbH & Co.KG.
• ORBEA S. Coop. Ltda
• Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
• MET SPA
• Giant Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
• SCOTT Sports SA.
• Limar S.R.L

By Type	By Application	By Distribution Channel	By Region
Road Helmets Sports Helmets MTB Helmets Others	Sports/Adventure Daily Transportation	Online Offline	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Cycling Helmet Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Cycling Helmet Market, By Type:

• Road Helmets
• Sports Helmets
• MTB Helmets
• Others

• Cycling Helmet Market, By Application:

• Sports/Adventure
• Daily Transportation

• Cycling Helmet Market, By Distribution Channel:

• Online
• Offline

• Cycling Helmet Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE