Citation

Mills NJ, Gilchrist A. Proc. IRCOBI 2003; 31: 12p.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, International Research Council on Biomechanics of Injury)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Criticisms of bicycle helmet design are reviewed, and changes in the design since the 1990's explored. Finite Element Analysis is used to model the impact of a generic helmet on flat and kerbstone anvils. The performance of current helmets was investigated using oblique impacts, in which the liner and rotational acceleration of a headform, fitted with a compliant scalp and a wig, were measured. Most of the design criticisms are shown to be invalid. The peak values of rotational acceleration were of the order of 5 krad s-2. However the coverage of the side of the head is not optimal.