Bicycle and Motorcycle Helmets (cont.)

Medical Author:

Thomas V Robb, DO

Coauthor:

Maurizio A Miglietta, DO

Medical Editor:

Patrick Taylor, MD, FAAEM

Medical Editor:

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD

Medical Editor:

Anthony Anker, MD, FAAEM

The potential for injury and death—especially from head injuries—was recognized early in the use of bicycles and motorcycles.
- Early bicycles with a large front wheel and small rear wheel were notorious for sending a rider over the handlebars from a dangerous height.
- Early motorcycle racing, known as board racing around a wood board track, often resulted in spectacular crashes from loose boards and close racing.
Helmets evolved slowly, and initially without scientific basis.
- Early helmets used various materials such as pith (spongy material from plants) or leather and served to cushion the rider’s head from other objects during a crash. They weren’t very effective, but they represented all that was available at the time.
- Advances in technology and crash mechanical studies brought improved function and design for bicycle and motorcycle helmets.
- Helmet improvements include the shape of helmets, the introduction of plastics, improvement in methods of securing the helmet to the head, and the layering of materials.