UK motorcycle kit seller fined over £10,000 after 'catastrophic' failings on unsafe helmets

A London-based motorcycle clothing retailer has been hit with a fine in excess of £10,000 after selling motorcycle helmets that failed to meet UK safety standards.

London-based Bikers Lifestyle Ltd were found guilty of seven separate offences at Willesden Magistrates Court on January 20.

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The DVSA’s Market Surveillance Unit carried out tests on four helmets available through the retailer, using an independent laboratory specialising in motorcycle helmet testing.

Three failed safety checks catastrophically, with one of these products also indicating a 100% risk of a fatality in a collision. One of the four helmets passed the impact test, but it was not marked and labelled in a way that was legal for UK sale. All tested eye protection failed to meet the required UK standards, too.

“Sub-standard helmets and eyewear pose a very real and significant risk to any motorcycle rider using them,” DVSA investigation lead, Sadie Clarke said. “Tests on items sold by Bikers Lifestyle Ltd showed they would be incapable of offering the necessary protection required in the event of an accident and the consequences could be catastrophic.”

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The total fines and costs came to £10,194 for the business, paying £4000 in helmet related offences, £1500 in eye protection offences, a £2000 victim surcharge, and £2694 in prosecution costs.

They have also been ordered to recall any products already supplied to the UK market and remove any non-compliant products from future sale. A look at their website currently reveals not a single product on sale.

“DVSA will continue to work with Trading Standards and other agencies to make sure that these kinds of products do not make their way onto the market in the UK,” Clarke continued. “This case should act as a warning to any other company that considers selling unfit safety products.”

To help combat future issues of this kind, a petition has been set-up by MCN Columnist and motorcycle kit safety expert Paul Varnsverry, encouraging the Government to do more in the fight against uncertified and potentially dangerous motorcycle riding kit.