If you have been shopping for a bike helmet recently, you have probably noticed a lot of MIPS helmets. This is one of the newest technological advancements. It stands for Multi-directional Impact Protection System.
The idea is to mimic the way that your brain protects itself with a slip plane. When there is an impact, the interior of the helmet can slightly rotate and move. This will hopefully cut back on the rotational damage caused in the crash, as the helmet rotates instead. That’s important because scientists think that one of the main reasons for concussions and brain injuries is this rotational component.
But does it really work? Results are mixed. Some tests have shown a benefit, and the science seems to suggest one, but other tests have shown no benefit at all. There have even been tests where the MIPS helmet was not as effective as the traditional helmet.
One problem, for instance, is that the helmet did not appear to offer any extra protection for rear impacts, despite the fact that many bike crashes happen when cars strike cyclists from behind or when the back of a cyclist’s head strikes the ground.
That’s not to say that you should not buy a MIPS helmet or that you don’t need to worry about keeping up with safety technology. However, you also need to understand that no level of technology is perfect and nothing can guarantee that you will not suffer a head injury in an accident. If you do, you need to know all of the legal options that you have to seek compensation.
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