How to Carry a Helmet on a Bicycle

The easiest way to carry a helmet on a bicycle is to clip it to the outside of a backpack or pannier with a strap, or to hang it from the handlebars by its chin strap when you are walking with the bike, keeping it secure so it cannot swing into the wheel. A helmet is awkward to carry by hand, so a hands-free method is usually best. The right choice depends on whether you are riding, walking, or parking the bike.

Why Would You Carry a Helmet Instead of Wearing It?

Most of the time, a helmet belongs on your head while you ride. But there are plenty of moments when you need to carry it instead. You might be walking your bike through a pedestrian area, carrying it up stairs to a flat, or pushing it along a station platform. You might be a commuter who rides part of the way and takes a train for the rest, or a parent walking a child to school with a bike in tow.

There are also times when you arrive somewhere and need to take the helmet off but keep it with you. A cafe stop, a shop, or a workplace are all places where the helmet comes off, and carrying it badly can mean dropping it, scratching it, or simply finding it a nuisance. A good carrying method keeps the helmet safe and leaves your hands free for the bike, a bag, or a door.

How Do You Attach a Helmet to a Backpack?

Attaching a helmet to a backpack is one of the simplest and most popular ways to carry it on a bicycle. Many cycling backpacks have a helmet holder: a small net, a loop, or an elastic strap on the outside of the bag. If your pack has one, use it. Open the net or loop, sit the helmet against the back of the pack, and tighten the straps so the helmet sits snugly and does not bounce.

If your backpack does not have a built-in holder, a short strap or a bungee cord can do the same job. Thread it through the helmet’s vents or around the shell, then clip it to the pack’s compression straps or daisy chain loops. Make sure the helmet is held firmly, with the opening facing outwards, so it does not rub against your back or catch on things as you walk.

Can You Hang a Helmet From the Handlebars?

Hanging a helmet from the handlebars by its chin strap is a quick method when you are walking with the bike, but it needs care. Loop the strap over the handlebar or a brake lever, and make sure the helmet hangs on the side away from the front wheel, so it cannot swing into the spokes. If the helmet swings freely, it can catch on the wheel or the fork and cause a fall.

This method works best for short walks, such as pushing the bike from a car park to a building entrance. For longer walks, the swinging can become annoying, and the helmet can bump against the frame and pick up scratches. If you need to walk any distance, a backpack or pannier is a better choice.

What About Carrying a Helmet in a Pannier or Basket?

A pannier or a basket is a good home for a helmet when you are not wearing it, especially if you are riding with a load. A helmet usually fits inside a large pannier, and the pannier protects it from knocks, rain, and scratches. If the pannier is a tight fit, take care not to force the helmet in, since squeezing it can press on the liner. A soft cloth or a helmet bag inside the pannier adds extra protection.

One advantage of a pannier is that it keeps the helmet out of the rain. A wet helmet is not ruined, but it is unpleasant to put on, and it takes time to dry. If you are riding in wet weather and plan to take the helmet off at your destination, a waterproof pannier or a dry bag inside the pannier keeps it dry. If you want to understand the safety technology inside many modern helmets, reading about what MIPS is for helmets is a good place to start.

How Do You Carry a Helmet in the Rain?

Carrying a helmet in the rain is mostly about keeping it as dry as you can. If the helmet is on the outside of a backpack, rain will run over the shell, which is fine, but water can get into the vents and soak the liner. A waterproof cover or a plastic bag slipped over the helmet keeps the rain out, and you can take it off when you arrive. Some cyclists keep a small shower cap or a helmet rain cover in their bag for this purpose.

If the helmet gets wet, do not worry too much. Wipe the shell dry when you get indoors, and leave the helmet open to the air so the liner can dry. Never dry a helmet with direct heat, such as a radiator or a hairdryer on a hot setting, because heat can damage the foam and the adhesives inside. Air drying at room temperature is the safest approach.

It is also worth checking the straps after a wet ride. Webbing straps can hold moisture and feel stiff when they dry, so give them a wipe and let them dry fully before the next ride. A helmet that is looked after in wet weather will stay comfortable and last longer than one that is left damp in a bag.

What Mistakes Should You Avoid When Carrying a Helmet?

The most common mistake is carrying a helmet by its chin strap in your hand, letting it swing and bump into things. This is how helmets get dropped, scratched, and knocked. A swinging helmet can also hit your knees or the bike frame, and a single hard drop onto concrete can damage the liner, even if the shell looks undamaged.

Another mistake is leaving a helmet loose on a bike while it is parked. A helmet left on a saddle or hanging from a mirror can fall off, blow away, or be taken. If you are leaving the bike, take the helmet with you or lock it to the bike with a cable lock through the vents. A small cable lock is light and easy to carry, and it deters casual theft.

Can I ride with my helmet in my backpack?
It is possible for a short ride, but in general terms it is safer to wear your helmet while cycling. A helmet in a backpack cannot protect your head, so only carry it there when you are walking with the bike.

Is it safe to hang a helmet from the handlebars?
It is safe only while walking with the bike, and only if the helmet cannot swing into the wheel. Never ride with a helmet hanging from the handlebars.

How do I stop my helmet from getting scratched when I carry it?
Use a soft helmet bag or wrap the helmet in a cloth when it goes in a pannier or basket, and keep it from swinging against the frame or other hard objects.