Transport Research Laboratory – The Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) is conducting research into motorcycle helmet fit and potential factors that may influence the quality of this fit through a motorcycle helmet survey.
The TRL as we know is no stranger to motorcycle research and no stranger to research and surveys on helmets and has in recent years published reports on helmet loss and helmet retention.
In 2012 the laboratory published a report on helmet loss the initial findings found that:
“Only about 40% of riders have their heads measured at the time of sale, and that some riders have bought helmets that they can pull off, even though they appeared to be a correct fit.
This suggests a serious failure at the point of sale, and a lack of understanding by both the sales staff and the purchasers 30% of users have had issues with helmet fit, often because a particular brand or range is the wrong internal shape.
About 15% of helmets are reported to be purchased through the internet, producing an enhanced potential for the purchase of a helmet that is the wrong shape or size.
The majority of riders have the chin straps slightly loose, and can pass either one or 2 fingers beneath the chinstrap and their chins.”
The TRL 2014 report regarding Helmet Retention had two specific aims:
“The first is to see whether the existing test requirements in ECE Reg 22.05 relating to dynamic helmet retention (the roll off test) are realistically based and how well existing helmet designs comply with these tests when new and used.
The second is to identify the mechanisms of helmet loss and to quantify the importance of relevant factors such as inertia effects, head geometry and flesh compliance and misuse.”
At the same time TRL carried out a remote survey of circa 600 motorcycle helmet users to see what factors influenced their helmet choice.
One of the conclusions from that report was:
“Many users are wearing helmets that are reportedly the wrong size for their heads – this may be because an increasing number of sales are through the internet, preventing knowledgeable sales staff from assessing fit and suitability. The use of a helmet that is not the correct size or shape will increase the potential for loss.”
This new survey is revisiting the previous work by TRL – Potential for Motorcycle Helmet Loss – where that report showed, “That helmet size and internal shape were important factors in helmet ejection. The tightness of the chin strap was critical to the force required for loss through roll-off.”
TRL says the previous data indicated that, “A large number of helmet users were purchasing helmets through the internet without first determining that they were of the correct size or internal shape, with the potential for increased helmet loss. This is a concern that has been expressed by a number of research studies.”
To further this research determining how helmet fit (subjective) relates to helmet retention (objective), TRL says it is, “Planning to scan the heads of a limited number of actual and potential helmet users, from which headforms conforming to their head shapes will be fabricated.
These headforms will be used on the TRL roll-off headform test rig with a range of helmets, to provide the objective data, and the individuals will try on the test helmets to offer a subjective view of fit.”
The survey would appear to be linked to this further research, so where riders’ answer the questions by TRL on helmet fit and purchasing helmets on-line, which seems to be a theme of the conclusions to the report, it is the rider’s decision to take part in the survey or not.
https://youtu.be/eUnTwgnEK88
Get The Right Fit – Sharp – Fitting guide
We recommend you invest time trying on as many helmets as possible. Once you’ve found those that fit you best, you can then choose the helmet with the highest SHARP rating for the best possible protection. Every head shape is different, so we’ve pulled together some tips to help you choose the right fit.
Get measured – Your safety is too important to simply guess your size. Before trying on any helmets you need to make sure you know your exact head size. Measure around your head just above the ears and take a measurement at the forehead. This measurement is a good starting point and will correspond with a particular brand’s size (always bear in mind a medium in one brand may be different to medium in another). Getting the right fit is paramount, so don’t be tempted to go for another size if your dream helmet is out of stock.
Try it on – Ok, so you’ve chosen a helmet to try. Now place it firmly on your head, securing the chin strap so you can fit two fingers between the helmet and your jaw. If the helmet has a quick release buckle then take your time adjusting the strap. Once on, you should be able to feel the helmet against the whole of your head – without feeling ‘pressure points’ or the helmet leaving red marks. Once you’re happy, keep it on for a few minutes to make sure it’s comfortable.
Check the fit – Secure the strap and try rotating the helmet from side-to-side. If you’re wearing a full face helmet your cheeks should follow the helmet’s movement, while remaining in contact with the cheek pads firmly and comfortably. If the helmet moves or slips on your head it’s probably the wrong size. Next, try tilting the helmet forwards and backwards. Again, if it moves or slips it’s probably the wrong size.
Will it stay on? – You want to know the helmet you buy will stay firmly on your head in a crash. Make sure the chinstrap is done up and tilt your head forward. Ask someone to try and roll the helmet off your head by carefully pushing up from the rear of the helmet at its base. If you can roll it off in the showroom, then it’s sure to come off in a crash.
SHARP is a consumer information initiative that was launched by the Department for Transport (DfT) in 2007 following research that revealed real differences in the safety performance of motorcycle helmets available in the UK. SHARP’s objective is to provide:
- clear advice on how to select a helmet that fits correctly and is comfortable, and secondly
- consumers with clear, impartial and objective information about the relative safety of motorcycle helmets available to riders in the UK.
Original Source – Sharp – On Twitter @SHARPgovuk
TRL Re-Launching Helmet Survey
11th February 2019
TRL have relaunched their survey from June 2018 as they ask for riders to – “Get involved with TRL’s survey and help shape motorcycle safety today”.
TRL is running an important survey of motorcycle riders to analyse what influences helmet choice and how well riders’ helmets correspond to their individual head shapes.
Alongside a public study of users, researchers at TRL are performing cutting edge research into 3D modelling and printing technologies to improve the testing of motorcycle helmet fit, and ultimately increase safety on a major scale.
Research shows that a significant proportion of helmets are lost in collisions due to sub optimal products of the wrong size or shape, mostly due to the standardised head forms and interior liners used in conventional motorcycle helmets. A helmet of the correct size can in fact be the wrong shape for an individual and may cause increased injury, even if the helmet is retained in an accident.
Therefore, TRL believes that educating motorcycle users on proper helmet choice, and providing the industry with research around advances in new technologies, will improve safety significantly.
TRL is calling on all motorcycle users and passengers to feed into this study. To help inform this vital research and help shape the future of motorcycle safety today, please complete TRL’s 10-minute survey here
Original Source – Get involved with TRL’s survey and help shape motorcycle safety today
Helmet Retention Interview (vid&audio) from Kredo on Vimeo.
This is clearly the best way to obtain the best fit for the helmet. Promoting “fit” will be positive and result in more awareness, although there will always be a percentage of people that feel they cant afford a “fitted” helmet.
Education could improve how people perceive the benefits of wearing a helmet that fits (and the dangers of doing the converse).
A conversation we had off-line regarding helmets fitting – a good idea – how would you see it working?
Maybe come up with an idea for best results regarding fitting on head as heads are different shapes and a problem getting one to fit one’s own head shape.
Many many years ago I took up skiing and bought some skis and obviously large ski boots that were externally moulded to fit the ski clips.
Inside the boot was a double skinned lining, velvet like on the side facing the socked foot. One put one’s foot into it and then filled it with an expanding foam substance that solidified and ended up filling the boot and making a perfect mould of one’s foot at the same time.
This ensured a good tight and snug fit for the foot in one’s own boots. Your boots could not be worn by anyone else. Would that be possible to put a double skin inside a helmet with a head cover on and then fill it with a substance that expands and fills the space between one’s head and the helmet into to a snug fit that won’t move when worn.
We suppose the problem might be getting the liner to expand just right, so as not to become uncomfortable press on the head, pressing on the ears so as to block sound but we like your thinking.
There was or is a helmet being developed along the lines of mimicking the brain inside the skull but then again that doesn’t get away from a proper fit.
One would put on a tight fitting close to skin skull cap but with reinforcement at the ears so that it will closely cover the outer ear but not interfere with hearing. Then again so many riders don’t hear anything anyway as they use plugs or other devises.
Once the skull cap is on correctly the helmet is placed on the head and held and then slowly, not violently filled with a foam product that moulds itself to the wearers head shape.
The helmet can be moved and adjusted slightly to obtain the best possible fit whilst the foam is still mailable. After a few minutes its complete and solid enough to remove. This moulded inner can be removed at any time later in order to be cleaned and or inspected etc.
So, it would have to be a custom fit, within the “original” helmet shell/lining.
Has merit!