The Helmet Update
Volume 33, #5, September 27, 2015
All issues index
Europe publishes new helmet study
The European Community has collaborated on a comprehensive study of helmets, producing recommendations for changes in
helmet design and testing. We have
posted some excerpts.
The study is titled HOPE: Helmet OPtimization in Europe. Four working groups covered in-depth accident observations and
injury statistics, traffic psychology, impact engineering and thermal aspects of helmet use.
Many of the recommendations for improvements in impact standards track our own: lower the test line to provide better
coverage, test for angular acceleration and lower the threshold failure level. Unfortunately, the report is very general
and provides no actual suggested test line changes or numbers for the thresholds.
We don't think there is any need to set a standard for thermal comfort, since that is easily judged by the consumer and
the market provides what they need. The study is based on European helmets, and most of them don't meet our US impact
standard. Task groups in our ASTM F08.53 subcommittee have been working on all of those changes for years, but the actual
numbers are always controversial and elusive, preventing progress.
We look forward to the next steps in defining change.
The Helmet Update - Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute
Randy Swart, Editor
4611 Seventh Street South
Arlington, VA 22204-1419 USA
(703) 486-0100 (voice)
(703) 486-0576 (fax)
www.helmets.org