Uncovered - Dangerous Secrets of the DOT Helmet Standard
Why Hacker News recommends it
HN commenters cite it as the background for calling the DOT standard a joke.
What it is
FortNine argues that the US DOT motorcycle helmet standard (FMVSS 218) is badly outdated and weak. It compares it with Snell and ECE standards and points to where you can look up test reports for your own helmet.
Recommended by 0 HN commenters across 0 different months, 2019 to 2025.
What Hacker News said
Cites bsimpson · 2025-08 · on “Temporary suspension of acceptance of mail to the United States”
There was chatter about this in one of the NYC subreddits over the weekend. Apparently ending the de minimus exemption is closing the grey market for e.g. sunscreen; places that used to sell Japanese sunscreens on American shelves no longer are. There's a frustratingly long list of goods that the US decided to put requirements on in previous generations, and then stopped maintaining. Sunscreen is one; other countries have invented sunscreens that feel better on your skin than the old styles, but aren't yet approved in the US. Motorcycle helmets are another. You may have seen the MIPS system - the yellow slipliner that's become popular in bicycle helmets. Scientists have realized that rotatio
Critical vasco · 2019-08 · on “Bontrager’s WaveCel material more effective at preventing concussions than MIPS”
DOT certification is the biggest joke in safety there is. To start, companies self-certify. To continue, watch this: [this video]
Critical dharmab · 2021-05 · on “Motorcycle airbag vest will stop working if you miss a payment”
LOL there's barely any regulation of motorcycle safety in the US. ABS brakes aren't even mandated here. Pretty much the only regulation is the laughably bad DOT helmet standard. ( [this video] ). Every rider I know who wears a helmet, buys an ECE or Snell helmet instead.