Better make sure your helmet is up to snuff if you're jumping on a motorbike this summer.

New laws come into effect June 1. in B.C. meant to keep your head safe and your seat secure.

South Island Traffic Service's Sgt. Andre Dantoom told SunFM News your helmet has to be pretty solid.

“Full-face helmets are good, flip up modular helmets are good, three quarter helmets are fine, as are half helmets, but the old novelty beanie is not approved.”

He adds that you should check your helmet to see if it has the right certification.

“All helmets must have either the Snell M2005/M2010 standard, the Department of Transportation (DOT) stamp, or the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) certification."

And to those who might think you don't need a proper helmet, motorcycle enthusiast and racer Don Hatton has a warning.

“There was a rider who simply just fell off his bike and died. He was barely moving, going at a walking speed, lost his balance, fell off and died. If he had been wearing his helmet he would have lived.”

While wearing your certified helmet you will also have to remain seated, something Hatton disagrees with.

“If there is a rise in the road and if you are sitting on the bike when you hit, it can actually flick you off your seat, if you stand on your pegs as you go over it, you can maintain good control of your motorcycle.”

The new rules are now in effect. Dantoom says for the first month, police will issue warnings if you're caught breaking the new rules, but come July they will start ticketing offenders. 

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