Motorcycle Helmet Market

Market Overview

The global motorcycle helmet market size was valued at USD 3.61 billion in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 5.51 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 4.80% during the forecast period (2023–2031). The rising number of road accidents and growing technological innovations drive market growth.

Motorcycle riders typically wear a certain style of helmet. Motorcycle helmets protect the rider's head in the event of an impact, which helps to increase motorcycle safety. They lower the risk of death by 42% and the chance of head injury by 69%. In several nations, their use is required by law. The inside shell of a motorcycle helmet is made of polystyrene foam, which absorbs impact shock, while the outside shell is made of protective plastic. There are many varieties, including helmets with and without chin coverage. Some helmets have extra comforts like ventilation, face shields, sun visors, ear protection, or intercom.

There are three major varieties of motorcycle-specific helmets, as well as some others that aren't motorcycle-specific but are worn by some riders. All of these helmets have chin straps to keep them in place, and if the chin strap is not adjusted firmly to ensure a snug fit, the protective effects of the helmets are significantly diminished, if not completely lost. The traditional motorcycle helmet consists of two main protective parts: a soft, thick inner liner commonly composed of expanded polystyrene or polypropylene "EPS" foam and a thin, durable outer shell typically made of polycarbonate plastic, fiberglass, or Kevlar.

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

Rising Number of Road Accidents

For public authorities worldwide, preventing traffic accidents effectively and finding long-lasting solutions have become a top priority. Wearing a helmet lessens the severity of injuries and potential brain damage when operating a motorcycle or other two-wheeled vehicle. These items cushion and safeguard a rider's skull from impact during a crash. A helmet cannot completely protect against head injury or death, comparable to how a seatbelt in a car serves its purpose.

A rider without any protective headgear or a helmet is 40% more likely than one wearing one to get a fatal head injury and 15% more likely to sustain a nonfatal head injury, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a U.S. Department of Transportation body. Similarly, 98 riders without helmets perished daily in India in 2017, according to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (M.O.R.T.H.) Road Accidents 2018 report. Therefore, the demand for helmets is driven by rising traffic deaths.

Growing Technological Innovations

Many motorcycle riders view motorcycle helmets as a necessary piece of safety equipment. Numerous motorcycle helmet manufacturers have also developed high-end features to entice customers to wear helmets. Few manufacturers have helmets with integrated Augmented Reality (A.R.) that can show GPS maps and the speedometer on the visor. For instance, the Taiwan-based company Jarvish introduced a motorcycle helmet made entirely of carbon fiber in July 2018 that includes a back camera and a head-up display unit that can provide speed, weather, and navigation information when configured via the J.A.R.V.I.S.H. application.

Growing consumer preference for technologically enhanced goods has inspired many entrepreneurs to enter the motorcycle helmet market and provide cutting-edge solutions. In 2014, Forcite Helmet Systems, an Australian business, hit the market with a sizable selection of helmets equipped with built-in H.D. cameras and an ultra-wide lens. The MK1 smart motorcycle helmet from Forcite was released in July 2019. It boasts a distinctive L.E.D. visual communication strip and features an H.D. wide-angle camera, Bluetooth port unit, Voice over Internet Protocol intercom (VOIP), and a handlebar-mounted control unit. Additionally, the helmet may be Bluetooth-paired with a smartphone and will automatically call emergency personnel in case of a serious fall or accident. These changes are anticipated to motivate manufacturers to expand their business operations to ensure that motorcycle helmets remain a common piece of motorcycle equipment.

Market Restraint

Rising Prevalence of Counterfeit Helmets

The increased prevalence of fake helmets is still hampering the expansion of the industry. Falsely promoted and sold at a relatively lower price are counterfeit or imitation helmets. The World Health Organization estimates that malfunctioning low-quality car parts and gears yearly cause up to 360,000 fatalities and 1.5 million injuries.

Given that these goods are typically made using low-quality materials, the comfort and protection these helmets can offer their wearers may not be adequate. The existence of counterfeit goods also influences how consumers view a brand. Particularly in China, Pakistan, and India, Asian markets are where you can find more counterfeit helmets. Thousands of fake helmets have also been entering Asian markets because of the rising demand for various helmets, including theme-based, athletic, designer, and sports helmets. Soon, it is anticipated that the growing popularity of e-commerce for the distribution of helmets will further restrain market growth because con artists can readily promote their goods through these channels.

Market Opportunities

Rising Awareness

Manufacturers in the sustainable sector may find significant business opportunities in the motorcycle helmet industry. Helmets made of sustainable materials are likely to become more popular due to increased consumer awareness of the environmental impact of the production and consumption of plastics and plastic substitutes worldwide, especially in nations with significant populations of consumers who care about the environment. For instance, companies like N.E.X.X. create durable, lightweight helmets with better material utilization.

The introduction of smart helmets is the most noticeable development in the motorcycle helmet market due to technological advancement. In this regard, brands are anticipated to concentrate on creating products with improved usefulness. As an illustration, prominent helmet producer Shoei declared in July 2019 that it would sell a cutting-edge motorbike helmet with a head-up display (H.U.D.) that shows speed, satellite navigation, route information, and call information on the screen. Therefore, technologically improved helmets may become more popular soon. Manufacturers might focus on the profitable market of design innovation to enhance their brand's reputation. Regarding function, helmets provide much room for product differentiation regarding style, scale, color, and shape. As the need for innovatively designed helmets has grown, some manufacturers have recently begun to concentrate on improving the aesthetic appeal of helmets. To excel in sustainability, firms are also anticipated to concentrate on 3D printing during the projection period. 3D printing has emerged as a sustainable substitute for traditional manufacturing methods, particularly for personalized helmets.

Regional Analysis

Based on region, the global motorcycle helmet market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.

North American motorcycle helmet market share is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 4.8% over the forecast period. The demand for motorcycle helmets in this region is driven by the expanding number of motorcycles in the United States and growing concerns over road safety. Additionally, the growing popularity of supersports bikes, whose fatality rates are four times greater, is urging users to wear helmets to guard against injuries. Including cutting-edge technologies in these helmets, such as Bluetooth, is also anticipated to accelerate the segment's expansion. In the U.S., riding motorcycles has become popular among millennials. Most of them enroll in formal training programs to learn how to ride a motorcycle and prioritize safety, fueling demand for motorcycle helmets.

Europe is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 5% over the forecast period. Increasing motorcycle sales and the safety precautions clients take when riding a bike are the main factors driving the European motorcycle helmet industry. According to the European Road Safety Observatory, around 25,600 individuals were killed in traffic accidents in 2016, and 17% were motorcycle-related. Therefore, most motorcycle riders in Europe are adopting helmets to lower the danger of brain injuries during an accident. According to MotorCycles Data, a spike in motorcycle sales is seen in nations like Germany, France, and the United Kingdom due to a greater emphasis on personal mobility during the COVID-19 epidemic. The popularity of owning motorcycles for recreation and the convenience they offer when traveling to and from work has increased sales of powered two-wheelers (P.T.W.s), raising the demand for helmets. Additionally, increased focus on safe riding habits among knowledgeable motorcyclists due to increased accidents is anticipated to fuel the need for helmets.

Asia-Pacific has emerged as one of the fastest-growing regions in the global market. The region's simple access to financing, expanding infrastructure in rural areas, and rising income levels encourage people to purchase motorcycles, which is expected to drive up demand for helmets. The demand for motorcycle helmets is anticipated to increase due to growing safety concerns and strict government restrictions, including requiring riders and passengers to wear helmets when operating a motorcycle. For instance, starting on June 1, 2020, electric scooter riders in China must wear helmets as part of the country's new traffic regulations. Additionally, it is anticipated that youth demand for customized helmets that match the color of the motorbike would increase sales.

In Latin America, the desire for motorbikes is fueled by easy credit, government incentives, and a lack of effective public transportation in South American nations, which will likely increase helmet sales. In the upcoming years, it is also projected that expansions in this area by motorcycle manufacturers would enhance the demand for helmets. For instance, in September 2020, Royal Enfield stated that, in collaboration with Grupo Simpa, it would locally construct its motorcycles in Argentina. It is also anticipated that the popularity of motorbike travel in Central American nations like Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica will increase the demand for helmets.

Due to limited and underdeveloped public transportation in the Middle East and African markets, motorcycles are increasingly being used as a primary form of transportation in African nations like South Africa, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Kenya. Additionally, local motorbike producers and assemblers want to expand their business. In addition, eliminating motorcycle excise taxes in various African nations in 2016 has raised the demand for motorcycles. It is projected that these reasons would increase demand for motorcycle helmets in the area. The focus on women's empowerment in Middle Eastern nations is also anticipated to increase the number of female motorcyclists, enhancing demand for motorcycle helmets.

Segmental Analysis

The global motorcycle helmet market is bifurcated into product and distribution channels.

Based on the product, the global motorcycle helmet market is bifurcated into full-face, half-face, and open-face helmets.

The full-face helmet segment dominates the global market and is projected to exhibit a CAGR of 4.9% over the forecast period. Full-face helmets are uniquely made to provide comprehensive head protection. Full-face helmets protect the chin and face during a fall, unlike open-face helmets, which are a major factor influencing product demand. Customers aware of the harm that can be done to delicate skin and facial bones in the event of an accident strongly prefer these helmets. Additionally, full-face helmets protect the wearer from environmental elements, including noise, direct sunlight, wind, rain, and bugs when riding, which greatly aids helmet wearers in maintaining concentration.

Most full-face helmet producers include a visor in their products, which may or may not be tinted and allows the rider to forgo wearing sunglasses. Full-face helmets are frequently worn by sports and adventure bike riders and others who enjoy lengthy bike rides. They protect from environmental disturbances and help riders feel less tired during long trips.

The global motorcycle helmet market is divided into online and offline based on distribution channels. 

The offline segment is the most significant contributor to the market and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 4.7% over the forecast period. The primary element driving this market is consumers' rising preference for buying motorcycle helmets from brick-and-mortar retailers after physically inspecting the manufacturer and model of the item. Motorcycle riders view helmets as vital headgear. Therefore, they scrutinize details like the exterior shell and inner foam material, the ring strip, optimum ventilation, the visor system, and the product's fit. Additionally, buying helmets from physical shops enables customers to confirm standard certifications, such as D.O.T. and E.C.E. certification, the safety criteria for the U.S. and Europe, and the warranty certificate.

Additionally, many shops concentrate on product categories, like sport bike helmets, and prioritize high levels of client happiness by maintaining a significant depth in their products to guarantee top-notch service. Most first-time buyers are drawn to these establishments because they offer qualified advice to customers. These stores are typically located in the city's commercial district or next to a two-wheeler outlet to attract more clients.

Recent Developments

• June 2023- The newest LS2 advent flip-up motorcycle helmet variant gets a full-carbon shell. The most recent version of LS2's best-selling flip-front motorcycle helmet features a full carbon shell, including the chin bar, and is called the Advant X Carbon.
• June 2023- The newest full-face motorcycle helmet in the Italian manufacturer's 2023 lineup, the Caberg Drift Evo, has been introduced. The twin spring-loaded visor mechanism, one of the Caberg Drift Evo's standout features, automatically adjusts the position of the visor and eliminates the need for human adjustment to prevent water or air infiltration between the visor and the edge.