Star Wars style: This is the bicycle helmet you are looking for

We are no strangers to the novelty cycle helmet, but never has one catapulted itself to the top of our collective Christmas wish list as quickly as the R2-D2-themed Star Wars design launched by Burton.

Who will wear this?

Arguably the most effective protection you can get as a cyclist is a good cycle insurance policy – injury rates in countries where very few cyclists wear helmets are amongst the lowest in the world. There is much speculation over why this might be, but many agree that the group that stands to benefit most from cycle helmet wearing is young children.

Parents who struggle to convince their kids to wear a cycle helmet, not to mention the many adults for whom R2-D2 was the coolest character in the Star Wars films, will welcome the new design.

World’s most unusual cycle helmets…

Put a lid on it	The world’s most unusual cycle helmets
The way that drivers will wait patiently as certain animals cross a road inspired perhaps the world’s most unusual cycle headgear. Forget cycle helmets and high-visibility tabards, the do-it-yourself deer headgear pictured right will not only make you stand out, it will bring traffic to a halt.
The Helmet Hair design, which is intended to be worn by both men and women, was inspired by cycle helmet research carried out by Bath University. The study revealed that car drivers leave less room when overtaking a cyclist wearing a helmet, but a much wider berth when passing a female rider with long hair.
The Hövding is a winter jacket with an airbag cycle helmet incorporated into its collar. In the event of a collision, a motion sensor activates a small cannister of helium, which inflates the airbag in one tenth of a second.

Cycle insurance protection

Cycle insurance from the ETA includes new-for-old replacement and accidental damage, £1m third party insurance, personal accident cover, worldwide cover and if you should be knocked off your bike our specialist legal team fight your corner. From 34p per week.