Could new type of cycle helmet reduce traumatic brain injury claims?

Tests on a new type of inflatable bike helmet have shown that it can reduce the forces to the brain which cause injury in an accident by 44%. But will this have a dramatic impact on claims going forward?

For cyclists involved in serious accidents, head trauma is unfortunately all too common. Cycling is an ever more popular activity, and with the emergence of e-bikes there are more cyclists on our roads than ever, with over 16 million journeys on rented e-bikes last year in London alone. There is currently no requirement for helmets to be worn when cycling and the hire of e-bikes in London for one, does not include helmet hire as standard.

In the UK, wearing a cycle helmet is not legally required, but it is recommended. The Highway Code (rule 59) suggests that cyclists "should" wear a helmet, and the code itself even reiterates that “evidence suggests that a correctly fitted helmet will reduce the risk of sustaining a head injury in certain circumstances”.

A cyclist sustaining a head injury is an all-too-common issue in motor claims. In a study completed by the Royal College of Surgeons recently, it was recorded that 46% of e-bike riders who required hospitalisation had head injuries. This type of injury can have catastrophic consequences for the injured party involved, as well as a significant impact on the value of a claim.

Despite the risk of head injury, the practicalities of cyclists carrying conventional foam helmets, which are large and cumbersome, has led to some studies suggesting that only 50% of those using e-bikes, use helmets.

Inflatable helmet

Manufacturer Ventete believe they have a solution to this problem, having created a fold away, inflatable helmet. The aH-1 uses compressed air within a thick material coating to protect the head and skull. The company have claimed that the helmet’s design is not only safe but encourages people to wear it when using hire e-bikes, as the helmet can be deflated and folded away into a bag when not in use.

Early tests by the team at Headlab, Imperial College London, suggest that the aH-1 outperformed over 30 different conventional cycle helmets in reducing forces on the brain which cause skull fractures and unconsciousness. The overall risk was reduced by 44% in comparison to the other best performing conventional helmets.

It is understood that the compressed air technology used, rather than the hard Polystyrene foam traditionally seen in cycle helmets, offers more protection as the helmet can compress to a greater depth when involved in impact, reducing peak forces on the brain.

 Implications for e-scooter riders

While the primary focus has been on cyclists, this development could also have meaningful implications for e-scooter riders, a group that is rapidly growing and has shown a higher incidence of head injury in collisions compared to cyclists. Although comprehensive data is still emerging, early indications suggest that the nature of e-scooters — including smaller wheels and the fact that riders are less physically connected to the vehicle than cyclists — may contribute to a higher risk of head trauma in the event of an accident. Helmet use among e-scooter riders remains low, especially given the lack of integrated storage and the spontaneous nature of most journeys. A foldable, inflatable helmet could present a practical solution and, in time, could help reduce the frequency and severity of head injuries in this user group too.

Practicalities

The new technology certainly sounds impressive, but will this new helmet technology and more convenient design encourage more cyclists to use it?

It is early days and the hefty price tag of £350 per helmet, means it may be out of the reach of many compared to a regular foam helmet on the high street. In addition, the technology itself is not yet perfect and, while having a helmet that can be deflated and packed away is a plus, it does require a mini pump to be carried with it. This needs to be charged and may well prove unwieldy for some.

Summary

In light of these factors, it may be a while until we see this helmet entering the mainstream and changing the face of accidents involving cyclists going forward. There have been similar products hitting the market before which were sadly short lived due to issues with certification and recall.

While the helmet has outperformed other conventional helmets in testing, it does not completely eliminate risk of course. The helmet was tested at speeds of only 14 miles per hour and head injuries will unavoidably continue to be sustained in the most serious of accidents.

The advances in technology are nevertheless encouraging and we hope to see an increase of products available to the public which not only offer convenience, and therefore encourage use, but also increase safety for cyclists as our roads become an ever more crowded space. This is a potential step forward for road safety which could reduce the severity of injuries and claims in the future. The a-H1 helmet or others like it may well start to make an appearance in cases involving cyclists and this development is one to watch.