DAMAGE TO BICYCLE HELMETS INVOLVED WITH CRASHES

The objective was to evaluate the relationship between helmet damage and head injuries in helmeted bicyclists in a sub-study of a large case-control study of bicycle injuries and helmet effectiveness. The setting consisted of seven hospital emergency departments in Seattle, WA. Hospitalized patients and medical examiners cases were included. The participants in the study were helmeted bicyclists who suffered a head injury or who damaged or hit their helmet in a crash. The damage location for each helmet was coded into regions and mapped onto a three-dimensional computer-aided design model of a helmet. The same procedure was also followed for injury location, which was mapped onto a three-dimensional International Order of Standardization headform for visualization of head-injury distribution. A high proportion of helmet impacts were along the front edge of the helmet, with a preponderance of head injuries in the same region. The large number of impacts to the front rim of the helmet, combined with the substantial number of riders with injuries to the forehead, indicate that some helmets, because of poor fit or wearing style, expose the forehead to injury. In addition, the data indicate that for a small proportion of injuries, the energy to the helmet may exceed design limits.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00014575
• Corporate Authors:

  Elsevier

  The Boulevard, Langford Lane
  Kidlington, Oxford  United Kingdom  OX5 1GB
• Authors:
  • Ching, R P
  • Thompson, D C
  • Thompson, R S
  • Thomas, D J
  • Chilcott, W C
  • Rivara, F P
• Publication Date: 1997-9

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 555-562
• Serial:
  • Accident Analysis & Prevention
  • Volume: 29
  • Issue Number: 5
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 0001-4575
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00014575

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bicycle crashes; Crash tests; Cyclists; Design; Head; Helmets; Impact; Injuries; Occupant protection devices
• Uncontrolled Terms: Head injuries; Head protection; Helmet design
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Research; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00741116
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-042 522
• Files: HSL, TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Oct 7 1997 12:00AM