How may the protection offered by bicycle helmets be improved and are there any alternatives to bicycle helmets?

Answer

In the Netherlands, bicycle helmets have to comply with the European quality standards (see the question Which requirements should a (good) bicycle helmet meet?). According to different researchers [1] [50] [52] [53] [54] [55] [56] [58] the test procedure should be extended to include an ‘angled impact’ or ‘oblique’ test. In addition, a cyclist’s airbag might offer better and additional protection against head and brain injuries [2] [59]. Finally, there are developments towards intelligent helmets that would not only provide physical protection but would also help prevent crashes. The fact sheet Cyclists provides a broader discussion of cyclist safety and measures to improve it.

Extension of test procedure for bicycle helmets

Different researchers [1] [50] [52] [53] [54] [55] [56] [58] advocate extending the test procedure to include an ‘angled impact’ or ‘oblique’ test, in which helmet effectiveness is tested by dropping it from a certain height onto a slanted surface. These tests measure the effect of the helmet on head rotation. This is important because this so-called ‘rotation effect’ is closely related to the occurrence of brain injuries [2] [28] [59] [60] [61]. Today, there are several organisations already carrying out these tests (e.g. Certimoov and Folksam) and there are helmets on the market that offer better protection against rotational forces on the head in case of a fall. These have an extra layer inside the helmet which moves along with the head during impact (so-called Multi-Directional Impact Protection Systems - MIPS) reducing the rotation of the head [1] [2].

A second welcome extension concerns the impact speed during testing, in other words the speed at which a cyclist’s head collides with something. Current European standards for bicycle helmets are based on an impact speed of 17 and 20 km/hour and simulate a fall from a bicycle. The speeds in a collision with a motor vehicle may, however, be much higher. In this case, the collision process and the associated impacts are also much more complex and diverse. By also testing the effectiveness of bicycle helmets in these conditions, the quality of helmets may improve.

Finally, it is argued that quality should not be determined solely by testing it on models of heads of the “average man,” but that more consideration should be given to differences in anthropometric characteristics between different groups of people [62].

Cyclist airbags

A different current development is the cyclist airbag. This is a kind of collar worn around the neck. In case of a crash the airbag inflates, which not only protects the head but also fixates the neck. Such an airbag had positive outcomes in different tests [2] [59]. This is partly because the airbag reduces rotational forces on the head more than a conventional helmet does.

Intelligent helmets

Several manufactures are developing ‘intelligent’ helmets. These helmets are not only intended to protect against head and brain injuries but also to prevent crashes. Intelligent helmets may for example, by means of led-signals, show other road users when cyclists are braking and which direction they are turning. One such helmet (the ‘Lumos-bicycle helmet’) is already on the market. Helmets that warn cyclists when a vehicle approaches in their blind spot (the ‘Classon-bicycle helmet’) are still being developed; it is still unclear when they will come onto the market and how effective they will be.

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Part of fact sheet

Bicycle helmets

A bicycle helmet is intended to protect cyclists against head and brain injuries when they are involved in crashes. Research shows that in case of a Meer

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