A salesgirl taking out a helmet for a customer at Tripureshwor based Vicky Auto Parts. The company’s Managing Director Sajjan Jajodia informed that his store sells helmets in the price range of Rs 700 to Rs 6,000.

Photo: Rukesh Shrestha/TC





The safety helmets available in Nepal are mostly imported from India, China, Thailand and Malaysia in addition to a few European brands. Some Nepal made helmets too have also gained popularity in the market in recent times.

By Pinaki Roy





In the current financial year 2069-2070 BS, an estimated 180,000 two-wheelers have been sold in the Nepali market, industry analysts said. This sales figure is attributed to people’s growing desire to enhance mobility and save time in addition to the fact that two-wheelers also help its riders in negotiating narrow alleys.

Safety Rider

Every two-wheeler that gets sold in the market also opens the possibility of sales of safety helmets. “Looking from a safety perspective, it is recommended that riders use full helmets,” a trader said. However, in the Nepali market, the consumption of helmets that cost cheaper is more than the helmets that provides complete protection of the head. “Only about 10 per cent of helmet buyers look for such safe helmets,” he added. These helmets are manufactured keeping in mind regulated standards and thus cost more. The decline in demand for quality helmets has forced traders to import cheaper and stylish products to cater to the market. Even though safety is the primary reason for wearing helmets, traders said that most riders do not change their helmets till the time they get completely damaged.

Bharat Tibrewala, Director of MRD Auto, said, “There is a lack of awareness as most people wear helmets only for the fear of traffic police and not for safety.” He added that helmets provide safety to both the rider and the pillion rider and people must look to buy quality helmets. MRD Auto has around 40-50 vendors across Nepal who sell its helmets that cost between Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,500. Sajjan Jajodia, the Managing Director of Vicky Auto Parts and Vaani Auto Trade, said, “We currently sell around 30 pieces of helmets daily.” He informed that his company sells Index, Aaron, Vstar and STM brands of helmets among others.


Imported Lot

Most helmet brands that sell in Nepal are imported from countries like India, China, Thailand and Malaysia. There are a few quality brands too available in the market that are manufactured in European countries. Some Nepal made helmets, which are manufactured in the country after importing raw materials from India, have also gained popularity in the market in recent times. Traders claim that the helmets manufactured in Nepal cost comparatively lesser than their imported counterparts. STM, Index, MRC, Avex, AMG, Aaron, BM and Snell are some of the more popular brands in the Nepali market while a few European brands such as Held and RPM are also available in the stores.


Price Range

Depending on quality and design, helmets available in the Nepali market cost anything from Rs 500 to Rs 12,000. While the helmets manufactured in Nepal cost in the price range of Rs 500 to Rs 1,500, the ones imported from India, China, Thailand and Malaysia cost between Rs 1,500 and Rs 3,500 on an average. Kathmandu Valley alone has over 350 helmet shops and there is a total investment of around Rs 1 billion in the trade. While even a small store attracts a minimum investment of Rs 500,000, traders said there are stores in the Valley that have opened with investments of Rs 4 million or more.

Variety Galore

People use helmets according to their age, gender, profession and income, observed traders. Women mostly wear half-helmets and cap-helmets while young men usually fancy wearing full helmets. Similarly, male riders pursuing professional careers are more inclined towards half helmets. Two-wheeler riders, who are comparatively well-off, change helmets according to the season – wearing full helmets during the winter while using half-helmets or cap-helmets in the summer. The two-wheeler model also determines the choice of helmet with people riding scooters wearing half-helmets or cap-helmets while those riding sporty motorbikes wearing full helmets.
Business Challenge

Traders dealing with helmets said their sales have dropped to 50 per cent over the last few years despite that fact that the sales of two-wheelers have continued to grow. It is because a number of motorcycle distributors provide helmet free with two-wheelers these days. Traffic Police in the capital had made helmets compulsory for pillion riders, along with the motorbike rider, in 2008. Due to the rule, helmet sales was at its peak around that time, however, the sales of helmets was hit hard ever since the rule was scrapped almost three years ago. The helmet sales was further hit after the dealers of two-wheelers started doling out free helmets with every purchase.
A trader mentioned that since some of the companies provide helmets free of cost, the customers buy fresh helmets only after the older one becomes useless. Traders further said that a drop in sales of reconditioned bikes has also affected helmet sales. “It is become increasingly difficult to survive by selling helmets alone.”