Citation

Isler P, Schmitt KU, Murri R, Brügger O. Bern: Swiss Council for Accident Prevention BFU Beratungsstelle für Unfallverhütung, 2019

Copyright

(Copyright 2019)

The full document is available online.

Abstract

Objectives
On behalf of the bfu – Swiss Council for Accident Prevention, Dynamic Test Center AG investigated the advantages and disadvantages of MIPS (Multidirectional Impact Protection System) in bicycle helmets with regard to head impact in the event of a fall. MIPS is a plastic film which is attached to the inside of the helmet and lies between the head and the helmet. The film is attached to the helmet with elastic bands so that it can move within the rigid shell of the helmet. MIPS is designed to reduce the rotational load transferred from the helmet to the head in the event of a fall.


Methods
To this end, two test series – one with, one without MIPS – were performed on four randomly selected bicycle helmet models. Both tests were specifically selected to rotate the head on impact. On the one hand, the helmets were subjected to drop impact tests in accordance with the pre-safety standard prEN 13087-11, which goes beyond the requirements set by the current safety standard EN 1078. On the other hand, the helmets were tested on a full dummy in order to simulate the actual forces under as realistic conditions as possible. The loads occurring during the texts often came close to the biomechanical thresholds. In the worst-performing models, some loads even exceeded the biomechanical thresholds.

Results
The results were assessed based on standard biomechanical thresholds and additionally by the Working Group on Accident Mechanics (AGU). The tests carried out showed that MIPS achieves a reduction in impact to cyclists during rotational movements. It was also found that MIPS reduces the forces and momentum in the cervical spine.


Conclusion
The findings show that, while the protective effect of a helmet can be increased with MIPS, a poor helmet with MIPS still tolerates greater biomechanical loads than a good helmet without MIPS. In light of the achieved results, a switch from the current EN 1078 safety standard to prEN 13087-11 is to be welcomed.