Statistics show that it is more dangerous than ever to be a cyclist in the United States. Research documents that the rate of cyclist fatalities in traffic accidents has risen by approximately 20% in the last 10 years. And head trauma is among the leading causes of these deaths. We can certainly debate the reasons for the crashes themselves, but what is not subject to reasonable debate is the importance of wearing an effective helmet while riding. So, is your helmet up to the task?
Like many long-term cyclists, I — as a bicycle accident lawyer Trenton, NJ trusts, as well — understand the importance of helmets, but always thought that any helmet which met governing standards was as good as any other when it comes to protection. Unfortunately, that appears not to be the case. According to a recent study conducted by researchers from Virginia Tech and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety which utilized the latest techniques to simulate head injuries, there are actually substantial variations in how well bicycle helmets protect against concussions and other head injuries. And, perhaps surprisingly, cost was not a significant factor in determining a helmet’s effectiveness.
First, let’s consider the fact that the current helmet standards were set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission back in 1999. And while helmets meeting those standards are quite effective in preventing death or skull fracture from direct impacts, those scenarios are not representative of the impacts caused by most “real-world” bicycle crashes. One area where the current standards are lacking, is in assessing the ability of helmets to protect the areas of the skull which are most vulnerable in a typical accident: the rim of the helmet which covers the sides and the forehead.
In real-world simulations, the study found that the current standards simply aren’t very good at preventing concussions and other similar “lesser”, though still serious, head injuries; a finding which comports with the injury data. Specifically, the National Traffic Safety Administration statistics show that nearly 81,000 people were treated in U.S. emergency rooms for bike-related head injuries in 2015 alone.
In order to assess the helmets, the researchers developed various test scenarios to replicate the typical bicyclist head strikes, whether from glancing blows or direct hits, and then compared strikes to different parts of the helmets. Other simulations included tests to simulate impacts with high-friction surfaces to better simulate the “real-world” interactions with asphalt and concrete. The results demonstrated that helmets which incorporated a relatively new technology, known as Multi-Directional Impact Protection System (“MIPS”) provided better protection against concussion than many other types of helmets. MIPS utilizes an inner layer which actually “slips” or “twists” relative to the outer layer during a crash event with a rotational element, to “offload” some of the force which would otherwise be imparted to the head and brain of the cyclist. Click the following link for an excellent video summary of how this technology works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arka7CI_B0M
Every one of the helmets which received the study’s top “5-star” rating utilized MIPS technology.
Older helmets use foam which compresses to absorb linear impact forces. Many such helmets, including many of the popular “urban-style” helmets (which resemble skiing or skateboarding covers), didn’t score as well in the study, and some used thinner foams which afforded lesser protection against concussion.
Perhaps surprisingly, the study found little correlation between price and protection. For instance, the study found the Bontrager “Ballista MIPS”, which commonly lists for upwards of $200 was at the top of the list, but so was the Specialized “Chamonix MIPS” which only cost about $75.
Researchers involved in the study continue to test helmets and, to date, results are only available for about 30 helmets. But the results offer compelling data to support the premise that cyclists can greatly enhance their safety by using a helmet incorporating MIPS technology. So, if you haven’t considered the tech protecting your head in a while, the time to do so may be now.
Thanks to our friends and contributors from Davis & Brusca, LLP for their insight into bicycle accidents.