Fall 2005 archive of past newsletters

Helmets are Hot!

Many riders ignore the national helmet law in India for motorized two-wheelers (MTW). Only in Delhi and a few other large cities is the law being enforced.  Approximately 20% of all fatal traffic crashes in India involve riders of MTWs, which in Delhi are made up of: 77 percent scooters, 12 percent less than 100cc bikes, 5.5 percent more than 100cc bikes, and 4.5 percent mopeds. These are primarily used for commuting and as family vehicles, rather than for recreation as in the United States of America. A study using surveys and impact tests explored user behavior and helmet design in an attempt to discover why helmets were not being worn and to design one that would not only be used more but also be safer than those on the market in India.

One of the main results that came from the surveys was that 72 percent of riders surveyed complained of the discomfort in wearing helmets in the hot Indian climate. Thus a new helmet was designed with ventilation provided by slits in the front, back and sides. The vents can be made adjustable to control air circulation and can be closed in winter by a snap-on plastic  piece or by a plug from the inside.

Another main complaint was the inconvenience of carrying one’s helmet when parking the MTW. Therefore, a low-cost locking device was developed to secure the helmet to the MTW when not in use. A strap loops through a slot on the side of the helmet and around any fixture on the MTW.

Earlier studies by the researchers had shown that more head injuries occurred to the side of the head than to the top. Therefore, additional safety padding was added to the sides of the new helmet. Shock absorption and drop tests were carried out on ten different types of helmets including the new helmet. It performed nearly as well as the top performer on both tests. However, the top performer was a different helmet in each of the two tests.

These results show that taking riders’ concerns and study results into account and collaborating closely with helmet manufacturers in product development can result in a helmet that will help reduce resistance to helmet wearing and improve effectiveness.

Patel R and Mohan D. An improved motorcycle design for tropical helmets. Applied Ergonomics 1993,24(6), 427-431

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