An Evaluation of Pedal Cycle Helmet Performance Requirements

This paper aims to investigate aspects of bicycle helmet performance by drawing on the results of contemporary published research and selected experimental programs. This examination will be used to determine the levels of headform acceleration, head coverage and test impact energy, which can be applied to optimise helmet effectiveness. The combination of increasing head coverage over the lateral aspect of the head, improving energy attenuation to below 200g, and requiring at least a 1.5 m drop height for impact attenuation tests would promote the development and use of more effective helmets.

[1]  M H Cameron,et al.  Mandatory bicycle helmet use: Experience in Victoria, Australia , 1992, World journal of surgery.

[2]  E. G. Janssen,et al.  Experimental and Mathematical Simulation of Pedestrian-Vehicle and Cyclist-Vehicle Accidents , 1985 .

[3]  C. Palmer,et al.  Injury patterns in cyclists attending an accident and emergency department: a comparison of helmet wearers and non-wearers , 1994, BMJ.

[4]  D R Thom,et al.  Evaluation and replication of impact damage to bicycle helmets. , 1994, Accident; analysis and prevention.

[5]  A P Vulcan,et al.  Mandatory bicycle helmet use following a decade of helmet promotion in Victoria, Australia--an evaluation. , 1994, Accident; analysis and prevention.

[6]  Dimitrios Kallieris,et al.  Head and neck injury resulting from low velocity direct impact , 1993 .

[7]  J. Worrell,et al.  Head injuries in pedal cyclists: how much will protection help? , 1987, Injury.

[8]  J C Lane,et al.  The effectiveness of bicyclist helmets: a study of 1710 casualties. , 1993, The Journal of trauma.

[9]  A. McIntosh,et al.  A FIELD AND LABORATORY STUDY OF THE PERFORMANCE OF PEDAL CYCLE HELMETS IN REAL ACCIDENTS , 1992 .

[10]  D Kallieris,et al.  A biomechanical study of bicycle helmets' effectiveness in childhood. , 1993, European journal of pediatric surgery : official journal of Austrian Association of Pediatric Surgery ... [et al] = Zeitschrift fur Kinderchirurgie.

[11]  David R. Thom,et al.  Laboratory tests and accident performance of bicycle safety helmets , 1985 .