Impact Performance of Certified Bicycle Helmets Below, On and Above the Test Line
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Annals of Biomedical Engineering (Ó 2019) https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-019-02422-x
Original Article
Impact Performance of Certified Bicycle Helmets Below, On and Above the Test Line ALYSSA L. DEMARCO,1 DENNIS D. CHIMICH,1 STEPHANIE J. BONIN,2 and GUNTER P. SIEGMUND
1,3
1
MEA Forensic Engineers & Scientists, 11-11151 Horseshoe Way, Richmond, BC V7A 4S5, Canada; 2MEA Forensic Engineers & Scientists, 23281 Vista Grande Drive, Laguna Hills, CA 92653, USA; and 3School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, 6081 University Blvd, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada (Received 27 May 2019; accepted 19 November 2019) Associate Editor Joel D. Stitzel oversaw the review of this article.
Abstract—Bicycle helmets are effective in reducing many head injuries, but their effectiveness could be improved if they provided protection over a larger range of impact locations. We sought to quantify the impact performance of 12 helmet models below, on and above the CPSC prescribed test line. All helmets were drop tested at an impact speed of 6.2 m/s. One helmet adequately attenuated impacts below the CPSC limit of 300 g for all impact locations tested below, on and above the test line. Five helmets met this limit for impacts on or above the test line as required in the CPSC standard, but failed to meet it below the test line (not required in the standard). The remaining six helmets failed to meet the criterion on and/or above the test line. Our findings indicate that consumers should not assume that all portions of a helmet provide adequate and equivalent protection. Our findings also suggest that the CPSC’s current system of selfregulation and self-testing by manufacturers does not prevent substandard bicycle helmets from being sold. Public availability of manufacturers’ impact test data, an independent testing panel, and/or a wider distribution of impact locations are needed to better protect bicyclists. Keywords—Helmet, Head injury risk, Safety standards, Traumatic brain injury, Impact attenuation, Head acceleration, Bicycle.
ABBREVIATIONS AS/NZS ASTM
Standards Australia, Standards New Zealand ASTM International
Address correspondence to Gunter P. Siegmund, MEA Forensic Engineers & Scientists, 11-11151 Horseshoe Way, Richmond, BC V7A 4S5, Canada. Electronic mail: gunter.siegmund@ meaforensic.com
CE EN CPSC EPS HPI ISO
European Committee for Standardization United States Consumer Product Safety Commission Expanded polystyrene foam Helmet Positioning Index International Standards Organization
INTRODUCTION Bicycle helmets have been reported to reduce head injury by 48%.23 While these data make bicycle helmet use compelling, they also suggest a capacity for helmets to provide greater protection. While much recent bicycle helmet research focuses on innovative designs targeting concussion reduction,14,22,25 improving bicycle helmet effectiveness for other more severe head injuries is also desirable. One potential area where helmet effectiveness could be improved concerns the test line, which is an integral part of helmet impact
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