Head injuries in moped and bicycle collisions:​ implications for bicycle helmet design

Walz, Felix H.; Dubas, Lise; Burkart, Franz; Kosik, Doris

The effectiveness of crash helmet wearing for riders of heavy motorcycles is not a matter of serious discussion in the public. Wearing rates of up to 95% are usual. 0n the other hand, crash helmets are not very commonly seen with mopedists and the wearing of a helmet For a non-racing bicyclist seems to be out of discussion For most people. (A moped is defined in Switzerland as a motorcycle with 50 com and a maximum speed of 30 km/h, also called "mofa"). However, data on head injuries within the latter two categories strongly suggest the usage of suitable head gear.

After a literature review on head injuries with light two—wheelers and helmets the results of three different in-depth studies with a total number of 940 cases (243 bicycle and 697 moped accidents in the Canton of Zurich) are discussed as to l. the exact localization of head impacts with bicyclists supplying data For the design of suitable helmets For bicyclists (1. study) , 2. the difference in severity of' head injuries with bicyclists and mopedists (2. study), and 3. as to the general injury severity and location with mopedists (3. study).

Year

Entry

1984

Harms PL. A study of motorcyclist casualties with particular reference to head injuries. In: Proceedings of the 1984 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 4-6, 1984; Delft, The Netherlands.91-97.

1984

Otte D, Jessl P, Suren EG. Impact points and resultant injuries to the head of motor-cyclists involved in accidents, with and without crash helmets. In: Proceedings of the 1984 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 4-6, 1984; Delft, The Netherlands.47-64.

1984

Dorsch MM, Woodward AJ, Somers RL. Effect of helmet use in reducing head injury in bicycle accidents. In: 28th Annual Proceedings, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM). October 8-10, 1984; Denver, CO.247-259.

1976

Walz F, Niederer P, Kosik D. The influence of protection helmets in motorcycle accidents. In: Proceedings of the 1976 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 7-8, 1976; Amsterdam, The Netherlands.301-310.

1984

Chamouard F, Walfisch G, Fayon A, Tarrière C. Prototype of lightweight helmet for users of low-speed two-wheeled vehicles, combining satisfactory head protection with characteristics of acceptable design and wearer's comfort. In: Proceedings of the 1984 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 4-6, 1984; Delft, The Netherlands.179-192.