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Demonstrating a Safer Bike Helmet: Here's What Happens to Your Brain in a Crash

Wavecel Technologies shows the importance of protecting against rotational forces

By Rain Noe - March 7, 2022

in Bikes

Years ago, cars were crash-tested using full-width frontal tests, as if driving straight into a brick wall. This spread the force of impact along the entire front of the vehicle.

However, research revealed these tests to be a poor measure of real-world safety. Thus offset frontal crash tests, where just a portion of the front collides with the barrier—as if driving into a tree, or clipping another car head-on—became the standard. Auto manufacturers now design their cars to meet these standards, and safety has improved as a result.

A similar improvement brought about by better research has happened with Wavecel Technologies' bike helmets.

The bike helmet version of a full-width frontal crash test is a linear crash: Assuming the cyclist's head hits an object perfectly perpendicular to their line of direction (again, like driving straight into a brick wall). But in reality, crashes often involve the head colliding with something at an angle. This type of angled impact transmits a rotational force into the wearer's head, which standard foam padding protects against poorly

To show you the difference between a linear crash and a crash that yields rotational force, Wavecel put together this illuminating video, where egg yolks stand in for the human brain:

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As you can see, rather than using foam Wavecel has developed a sort of energy-absorbing and -redirecting grid.

Here's a closer look at how the grid can both redirect and compress:

The company says this mesh provides "up to 73% more absorption of rotational force than a standard helmet," and up to 98% less concussion risk.

Wavecel isn't limiting their technology to bike helmets; the company also makes snowsport helmets and is expanding into hardhats.

They look pretty snazzy to boot!

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Damian Penney

2 years ago

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"According to legal publication Law360.com, Trek Bicycle Corporation was recently presented with a proposed class action lawsuit "alleging it misleads consumers into believing its Bontrager WaveCel helmets protect against concussions more than the average helmet and that it conducted unreliable research for marketing purposes."

https://cyclingtips.com/2021/01/trek-hit-with-lawsuit-over-wavecel-helmet-safety-claims/

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P Z

2 years ago

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I'm curious how this system compares to MIPS which is already pretty well established in the bike world.

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Richard C

2 years ago

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Great product and they even have a high-viz color. I dont really get the difference between ebike and regular bike helmets. Its not like I ebike any faster than my old miyata, just a less intensive ride.

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