Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Racing helmet legend Bill Simpson turning his attention to pro football safety]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/21/racing-helmet-legend-bill-simpson-turning-his-attention-to-pro-f/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/21/racing-helmet-legend-bill-simpson-turning-his-attention-to-pro-f/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/21/racing-helmet-legend-bill-simpson-turning-his-attention-to-pro-f/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Simpson Bandit Helmet

Bill Simpson has turned his helmet expertise toward reducing the number of concussions in football. Simpson has been manufacturing helmets for motorsports for years, turning his experience as a drag racer and a driver in the Indianapolis 500 into safer equipment for use at the track, but it wasn't until he met Tom Moore that Simpson began thinking about making football safer. At the time, Moore was working as the offensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts. Moore offered up a few tickets to a game in 2010, and Simpson went. During the game, Colts receiver Austin Collie took a hard hit and wound up out cold.

After the game, Simpson asked for a few helmets for testing and found the gear to be sub par. While some of his work in the motorsports world translates to making safer football helmets, the two sports are very different. One principal remains the same, however: lighter helmets reduce brain injury. As a result, Simpson's prototypes use plenty of light-weight materials, and his youth version weighs about half as much as the current industry standard. Next, Simpson says he'll turn his attention to lacrosse helmets.

Racing helmet legend Bill Simpson turning his attention to pro football safety originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Jan 2013 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bill simpsonfootballfootball helmetshelmethelmetssimpsonsimpson helmetsMon, 21 Jan 2013 17:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20433930/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/21/racing-helmet-legend-bill-simpson-turning-his-attention-to-pro-f/20433930/article-detail.xml 20433930 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/simpson-bandit-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/simpson-bandit-628.jpg <![CDATA[F1's Nico Rosberg explains how the racing helmet has evolved]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/04/f1s-nico-rosberg-explains-how-the-racing-helmet-has-evolved/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/04/f1s-nico-rosberg-explains-how-the-racing-helmet-has-evolved/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/04/f1s-nico-rosberg-explains-how-the-racing-helmet-has-evolved/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Nico Rosberg helmet video

As motorsports fans, we tend to pour over every detail of the race car's evolution, but it's easy to forget other aspects of a race team that progress at approximately the same rate. That includes safety equipment. Nico Rosberg took some time off from of his Formula One driving duties at Mercedes AMG Petronas to sit down with a camera crew to track the evolution of the helmet from the jaunty leather caps of 1946 to the carbon-weave shells used today. Rosberg's helmet weighs in at just 2.5 pounds but can withstand serious impacts without deforming and protect the wearer from heat of up to 1,472 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 seconds.

Rosberg's helmet can also hold up to a shot from a projectile moving 1,345 feet per second. Very impressive, and entirely necessary for a sport that sees racers reach ludicrous speeds on track. You can check out the video below to chart the safety helmet's interesting progression.

Continue reading F1's Nico Rosberg explains how the racing helmet has evolved

F1's Nico Rosberg explains how the racing helmet has evolved originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1formula 1formula onehelmetmercedes amg petronasnico rosbergracing helmetsafetysafety helmettechnologyvideoThu, 04 Oct 2012 16:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20341504/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/04/f1s-nico-rosberg-explains-how-the-racing-helmet-has-evolved/20341504/article-detail.xml 20341504 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/nico-rosberg-helmet-video-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/nico-rosberg-helmet-video-628.jpg <![CDATA[Motorcycle helmet law repeal trend leading to higher death rates]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/08/motorcycle-helmet-law-repeal-trend-leading-to-higher-death-rates/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/08/motorcycle-helmet-law-repeal-trend-leading-to-higher-death-rates/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/08/motorcycle-helmet-law-repeal-trend-leading-to-higher-death-rates/#commentsFiled under: ,



The more states allow people to ride motorcycles without helmets, the more people die, according to a study discussed in TheDetroitBureau.com today.

The report, released by FairWarning.org, outlines how for the past 30 years, states have begun to loosen helmet restrictions on bikers and deaths have climbed, even as automotive deaths have dropped to historic lows. In 1972, 47 states required riders to wear helmets. In 2012, only 19 states have laws requiring every rider don protective headgear.

Meanwhile, deaths on motorcycles has more than doubled from 1997 to 2010, from 2,116 to 4,502, according to NHTSA.

"We call it the organ donor enhancement act," a doctor told TheDetroitBureau.com. "We've always had a shortage of donors but expect to see the numbers go way up. "

Motorcycle helmet law repeal trend leading to higher death rates originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Jun 2012 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>helmetlawmotorcyclemotorcycle deathsmotorcycle helmet lawsafetyFri, 08 Jun 2012 11:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20253659/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/08/motorcycle-helmet-law-repeal-trend-leading-to-higher-death-rates/20253659/article-detail.xml 20253659 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/motorcycle-helmet-law-deaths-001-06072012_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/motorcycle-helmet-law-deaths-001-06072012.jpg <![CDATA[Angry Birds makes the inevitable transition to Formula 1 with Kovalainen]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/18/angry-birds-makes-the-inevitable-transition-to-formula-1-with-ko/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/18/angry-birds-makes-the-inevitable-transition-to-formula-1-with-ko/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/18/angry-birds-makes-the-inevitable-transition-to-formula-1-with-ko/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Has the Angry Birds franchise jumped the shark and hit those dastardly pigs yet? The ornery feathered video game stars have seen their mugs plastered across just about every retail good we can think of. We've seen everything from mundane merchandise like t-shirts, plush dolls and keychains to inflatable funhouse castles, streaming media players and gummy candies.

Thus, perhaps we shouldn't be surprised that Rovio Entertainment's birds have slingshotted into the world of Formula One sponsorship, slathered on the brain bucket of Caterham racer Heikki Kovalainen. The Finn says he's a big fan of the game - and not just because Rovio is from Finland.

Word has it that Angry Birds will get a racing-themed update sometime this summer (as well as even more branded merchandise), so fans of the flying fowl should keep their eyes peeled.

Continue reading Angry Birds makes the inevitable transition to Formula 1 with Kovalainen

Angry Birds makes the inevitable transition to Formula 1 with Kovalainen originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 18 Mar 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>angry birdsaraif1f1 marketingformula 1formula oneheikki kovalainenhelmetroviorovio mobileSun, 18 Mar 2012 18:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20195132/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/18/angry-birds-makes-the-inevitable-transition-to-formula-1-with-ko/20195132/article-detail.xml 20195132 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/angry-birds-helmet-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/angry-birds-helmet-628.jpg <![CDATA[Innovative rear-access helmet designed for safe post-accident removal [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/30/innovative-rear-access-helmet-designed-for-safe-post-accident-re/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/30/innovative-rear-access-helmet-designed-for-safe-post-accident-re/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/30/innovative-rear-access-helmet-designed-for-safe-post-accident-re/#commentsFiled under: , ,

voztec rear access helmet

Basic helmet design has come a long way since... wait, no it hasn't. Sure, Snell ratings change every few years as our understanding of head trauma increases, but the basic skull bucket remains pretty much the same as it has for decades.

Voztec is looking to add a bit of innovation into the industry, and it's rear access system looks quite interesting. By way of a rear access door, the rider/driver puts their head into the lid and the door clamps shut behind them. In case of an emergency, the helmet can be lifted away from the person's face without having to move the injured person and risk further injury.

Voztec is working on rear access helmets for motorsports, horseback riding, snow spots, firefighters and the military. It's even penned a concept design for an NFL version of the rear access helmet.

This helmet is the fifth prototype that Voztec has developed, and it's now currently undergoing testing by a third party. Also, Voztec is looking for investors to help bring its rear access helmet to market, and we hope someone ponies up the dough because we'd love to get a closer look at this unique concept. Check it out for yourself in the gallery and demonstration video after the break.

Continue reading Innovative rear-access helmet designed for safe post-accident removal [w/video]

Innovative rear-access helmet designed for safe post-accident removal [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>helmetmotorcycle helmetracing helmetrear access helmetvideovoztecvoztec helmetvoztec rear access helmetTue, 30 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20028764/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/08/30/innovative-rear-access-helmet-designed-for-safe-post-accident-re/20028764/article-detail.xml 20028764 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/lead-voztec-helmet_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/lead-voztec-helmet.jpg <![CDATA[Motorcylist dies of head trauma while protesting state helmet laws]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/05/motorcylist-dies-of-head-trauma-while-protesting-state-helmet-la/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/05/motorcylist-dies-of-head-trauma-while-protesting-state-helmet-la/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/05/motorcylist-dies-of-head-trauma-while-protesting-state-helmet-la/#commentsFiled under: , ,

New York State Police Chevrolet Tahoe
Motorcyclist dies while protesting helmet laws - Click above to watch video after the jump

A motorcyclist in New York passed away while participating in a ride to protest the state's helmet laws this past weekend. Philip Contos, a 55-year-old Harley-Davidson rider, was participating in an American Bikers Aimed for Education (ABATE) ride with over 500 other bikers. According to Associated Press reports, Contos locked up the brakes on his motorcycle, fish-tailed and went over the handlebars. He struck his head on the pavement and was transported to a local hospital before being pronounced dead. State police said that the accident would not have been fatal if Contos had been wearing a helmet.

Even so, the rider's death hasn't been enough to deter ABATE, with members saying that helmets shouldn't be mandatory. Click past the jump to watch an Associated Press report on the incident.

Continue reading Motorcylist dies of head trauma while protesting state helmet laws

Motorcylist dies of head trauma while protesting state helmet laws originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Jul 2011 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abateamerican bikers aimed for educationhelmethelmet lawsmotorcyclemotorcycle lawsTue, 05 Jul 2011 09:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19983376/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/07/05/motorcylist-dies-of-head-trauma-while-protesting-state-helmet-la/19983376/article-detail.xml 19983376 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/motorcyclist-death_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/motorcyclist-death.jpg <![CDATA[Protect your head with... a cardboard helmet?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/15/protect-your-head-with-a-cardboard-helmet/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/15/protect-your-head-with-a-cardboard-helmet/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/15/protect-your-head-with-a-cardboard-helmet/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Kranium cardboard helmet
Kranium cardboard helmets - Click above for image gallery

We were nearly ready to break out the tin foil hats when we first ran across news that cardboard may be better at protecting your noggin than the polystyrene that's currently en vogue in helmets. Upon closer inspection, it turns out the corrugated paper product actually makes a fine impact absorber.

The technology is called Kranium, and it uses interlocking ribs made from cardboard housed under a stiff plastic shell. Since the cardboard is easily manufactured and cut to shape, custom fitment is possible by means of a simple and personalized head-shaped template. This way, the guts can be cut out of a single cardboard sheet and replaced without buying a completely new helmet.

Tests show that these cardboard helmets can withstand four times more impact energy than regular helmets. Just as interestingly, while polystyrene helmets can only take a single impact, these Kranium helmets can reportedly pass testing after five strikes. Read more about the technology at the Kranium site.

Protect your head with... a cardboard helmet? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cardboardcardboard helmethelmethelmetskraniumkranium helmetWed, 15 Jun 2011 07:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19967037/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/06/15/protect-your-head-with-a-cardboard-helmet/19967037/article-detail.xml 19967037 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/kranium-image-1-1308085765_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/kranium-image-1-1308085765.jpg <![CDATA[Folding motorcycle helmet nominated for Dyson Award]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/28/folding-motorcycle-helmet-nominated-for-dyson-award/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/28/folding-motorcycle-helmet-nominated-for-dyson-award/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/28/folding-motorcycle-helmet-nominated-for-dyson-award/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Proteus folding motorcycle helmet
Jessica Dunn's Proteus folding helmet - Click above for high-res image gallery

Twenty-five-year-old Australian Jessica Dunn spent five months riding a motorcycle in Indonesia as a foreign exchange student, and that meant hauling a helmet around all that time. Weary of that grind after just 150 days, Dunn developed the Proteus folding helmet and it is now shortlisted for the James Dyson Award.

An outer layer of polycarbonate covers polystyrene foam, and the innermost layer is a material that's pliable during normal use but instantly hardens when it registers an impact. The helmet itself collapses in a manner reminiscent of a hardtop convertibles, the visor slides back on top while the sides and back fold into the helmet's interior cavity. The Proteus helmet has been engineered to meet Australian safety standards, and when folded fits into a standard backpack. Have a look at the gallery of high-res images for a better view, and if you think that's funky, you should check out Julien Bergignat's Tatou helmet.

Folding motorcycle helmet nominated for Dyson Award originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 28 May 2011 17:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dyson awardfolding helmetfolding motorcycle helmethelmetjames dyson awardjessica dunnmotorcyclemotorcycle helmetproteusSat, 28 May 2011 17:08:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19952595/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/05/28/folding-motorcycle-helmet-nominated-for-dyson-award/19952595/article-detail.xml 19952595 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/proteushelmetdunn_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/proteushelmetdunn.jpg <![CDATA[Stay a Hero, Stay Safe campaign for motorcycle safety hits a familiar note]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/27/stay-a-hero-stay-safe-campaign-for-motorcycle-safety-hits-a-fam/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/27/stay-a-hero-stay-safe-campaign-for-motorcycle-safety-hits-a-fam/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/27/stay-a-hero-stay-safe-campaign-for-motorcycle-safety-hits-a-fam/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

sussex safer roads motorcycle safety
Stay A Hero, Stay Safe ad - Click above to watch the video after the jump

Remember the Embrace Life seatbelt advocacy ad? The spot, which was created by The Sussex Safer Roads Partnership, featured a man driving an imaginary vehicle, and when he braced for impact (in his living room), his wife and daughter rushed to form a seatbelt. The safety ad went viral almost immediately, with over 13.7 million YouTube views to date, while at the same time really driving home the fact that safety belts saves lives. A truly beautiful effort.

The Sussex team is looking to strike gold once again with a new spot, this time taking aim at motorcyclists in a new commercial about motorcycle safety. The ad, titled "Stay a Hero, Stay Safe," doesn't have quite the same impact as the Embrace Live commercial, but it's still worth watching. Hit the jump to see for yourself.

Continue reading Stay a Hero, Stay Safe campaign for motorcycle safety hits a familiar note

Stay a Hero, Stay Safe campaign for motorcycle safety hits a familiar note originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 May 2011 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adbike safetycommercialhelmetmotorcycle psamotorcycle safetysafetystay a hero stay safesussex safety partnershipFri, 27 May 2011 18:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19951449/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/05/27/stay-a-hero-stay-safe-campaign-for-motorcycle-safety-hits-a-fam/19951449/article-detail.xml 19951449 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/motorcycle-safety-ad_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/motorcycle-safety-ad.jpg <![CDATA[NHTSA updating motorcycle helmet laws]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/15/nhtsa-updating-motorcycle-helmet-laws/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/15/nhtsa-updating-motorcycle-helmet-laws/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/15/nhtsa-updating-motorcycle-helmet-laws/#commentsFiled under: , ,

novelty helmet

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has updated the motorcycle helmet law in an attempt to stop people from wearing improperly certified helmets and novelty helmets. The law doesn't change the construction of helmets directly, but changes the way they're labeled, to make it more difficult to mimic DOT compliance certifications.

Now, helmets that conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 218 will carry a sticker with the manufacturer's name, the helmet model and the words "DOT FMVSS No. 218 Certified." The move to make helmets safer comes after the number of riders sporting unsafe and novelty brain buckets increased dramatically in 2010 over 2009.

According to NHTSA statistics, in 2010, only 54 percent of motorcyclists wore a DOT-approved lid. Around 14 percent wore a novelty helmet, and 32 percent went without a helmet altogether. In 2009, those numbers were 67 percent, 9 percent and 24 percent. In 2010, 75 percent of riders who did elect to wear a helmet wore a DOT-compliant one. In 2009, that number was 86 percent.

NHTSA updating motorcycle helmet laws originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 15 May 2011 14:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>218federal motor vehicle safety standard no 218fmvssfmvss no 218helmetmotorcyclenational highway traffic safety administrationnhtsaoccupation health and safetyohsSun, 15 May 2011 14:35:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19940622/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/05/15/nhtsa-updating-motorcycle-helmet-laws/19940622/article-detail.xml 19940622 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/bikerhelmet-lead-1305391651_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/bikerhelmet-lead-1305391651.jpg <![CDATA[NHTSA orders manufacturer to stop selling helmets. Our heads thank them]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/29/nhtsa-orders-manufacturer-to-stop-selling-helmets-our-heads-tha/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/29/nhtsa-orders-manufacturer-to-stop-selling-helmets-our-heads-tha/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/29/nhtsa-orders-manufacturer-to-stop-selling-helmets-our-heads-tha/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. And again. And again. Until the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration tells you that your company is no longer allowed to make helmets and sell them in the United States. Or something like that.

Specifically, we're talking about a Florida-based company called Advanced Carbon Composites. Apparently, the helmet manufacturer's first product was called the EXT001, and it failed to meet the safety agency's standards. So, it was recalled, and the new model was the EXT002. Sadly, the revised helmet still wasn't safe enough.

And so the EXT003 was created. Guess what? It too failed the required safety standards. And so did the latest helmet, the EXT004. For those keeping track of such things, Advanced Carbon Composites built and sold some 17,000 helmets from 2005, none of which was ever deemed safe. What to do?

How about a cease and desist order. The NHTSA ordered Advanced Carbon Composites to "stop designing, selling or manufacturing motorcycle helmets." Company president Kim L. Davis has agreed to the NHTSA's demands and is not allowed to own more than three percent of any company that has anything to do with motorcycle helmets.

Case closed? Perhaps. Perusing the company's product portfolio indicates that it still offering helmets for kayaking and other whitewater sports. Remember... use your brain the next time you decide to make a helmet purchase.

[Source: New York Times]

NHTSA orders manufacturer to stop selling helmets. Our heads thank them originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Apr 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advanced carbon compositesadvanced carbon composites recallAdvancedCarbonCompositesAdvancedCarbonCompositesRecallcarbon fiber helmetcarbon fiber motorcycle helmetCarbonFiberHelmetCarbonFiberMotorcycleHelmethelmethelmet recallHelmetRecallmotorcycle helmetmotorcycle helmet recallmotorcycle helmetsMotorcycleHelmetMotorcycleHelmetRecallMotorcycleHelmetsThu, 29 Apr 2010 09:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19458074/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/04/29/nhtsa-orders-manufacturer-to-stop-selling-helmets-our-heads-tha/19458074/article-detail.xml 19458074 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/advanced-carbon-composites_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/advanced-carbon-composites.jpg <![CDATA[First drop in motorcycle related deaths in a decade, are we really any safer?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/27/first-drop-in-motorcycle-related-deaths-in-a-decade-are-we-real/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/27/first-drop-in-motorcycle-related-deaths-in-a-decade-are-we-real/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/27/first-drop-in-motorcycle-related-deaths-in-a-decade-are-we-real/#commentsFiled under: , ,



In a preliminary report, the Governors Highway Safety Association recently indicated a 10% drop in motorcycle related fatalities around the U.S. in 2009. This decline marks the first such improvement in over a decade as deaths have been on the rise consistently from 1997 onward.

Are we really seeing improvement in motorcycle safety, equipment and riding ability? Likely not. As the old saying goes, numbers don't lie, and the drop in fatal injury's comes on the heels of the most extreme decline in motorcycle sales in recent history, which no doubt helped put the brakes on the awful upward trend.

The report goes on to attribute everything from the economy and aging baby boomers to increased training efforts from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation from coast-to-coast. Oh yeah, and we almost forgot the bad weather! Although it may seem that the GHSA can't seem to pick a clear cut reason for the drop, we can only hope history will not repeat itself in this instance, allowing this positive trend to continue. To see the full report and suggestions for increased safety, hit the jump for the release.

[Source: Hell For Leather]

Continue reading First drop in motorcycle related deaths in a decade, are we really any safer?

First drop in motorcycle related deaths in a decade, are we really any safer? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>baby boomersBabyBoomersbikerbikersdeathfatalfatalitiesfatalityhelmethelmet lawsHelmetLawshelmetsmotorcyclemotorcycle accidentmotorcycle crashmotorcycle safetyMotorcycleAccidentMotorcycleCrashmotorcyclesMotorcycleSafetyMSFTue, 27 Apr 2010 14:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19455215/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/04/27/first-drop-in-motorcycle-related-deaths-in-a-decade-are-we-real/19455215/article-detail.xml 19455215 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/guzzi-wheelie-1272344961_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/guzzi-wheelie-1272344961.jpg <![CDATA[New 'skull and skin' helmet sounds creepy cool]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/26/new-skull-and-skin-helmet-sounds-creepy-cool/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/26/new-skull-and-skin-helmet-sounds-creepy-cool/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/26/new-skull-and-skin-helmet-sounds-creepy-cool/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Have you heard the expression "break neck speeds?" This often overused tag has become the go-to hook line in many motorcycle crash stories on your local evening news. A new design concept called Super Skin from Industrial Design Consultancy, or IDC, looks to address the core issue.

Eighty percent of current motorcycle related deaths are a result of head trauma, and experts agree that rotational forces are the obvious culprit in most of these cases. Taking a cue from how noggins normally protect themselves, IDC claims their "Skull and Skin" design reduces the force that Yoda wouldn't want to be with you by up to 50 percent, which reduces the possibility of permanent brain injury by 67 percent. We think we can all agree that those numbers are 100 percent positive! Simply put, the Super Skin is a flexible membrane wrapped over a gel barrier that allows it to stretch up to eight times its normal length. Take the whole recipe through a vacuum casting process, and it then becomes durable and retains the look and feel of a "normal" helmet.

Before we can get our heads clad in Super Skin, we'll be holding our breath until the summer season. Check with your local Lazer Helmet dealer for access to this creepy cool concept. Oh yes, there will be a price tag put on your head. The Super Skin line is rumored to start at $235 (based on the current exchange rate) and will be available in the open-face Rider or full-face Solano designs.

[Source: idc.uk.com]

New 'skull and skin' helmet sounds creepy cool originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accidentcrashcrasheshelmethelmetsidclazerLidmotorcycleprotectionsafetyskull and skinSkullAndSkinsuper skinsuper skin helmetSuperSkinSuperSkinHelmetFri, 26 Feb 2010 09:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19371823/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/02/26/new-skull-and-skin-helmet-sounds-creepy-cool/19371823/article-detail.xml 19371823 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/super-skin-helmet_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/super-skin-helmet.jpg <![CDATA[VIDEO: Thermahelm motorcycle helmet is swell. Err... <i>not</i> swell]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/09/video-thermahelm-motorcycle-helmet-is-swell-err-not/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/09/video-thermahelm-motorcycle-helmet-is-swell-err-not/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/09/video-thermahelm-motorcycle-helmet-is-swell-err-not/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Thermahelm helmet animation - Click above to watch the video after the break

We're sure this comes as a shock to nobody, but here we go anyway: brain swelling is bad. Very bad. That thick, hard skull surrounding your brain is great at providing a good deal of protection, but when things go awry in a big way, there isn't much room in there to let your brain expand.

Cooling the brain in some manner is apparently a good way to reduce swelling, and a company from the U.K. called Thermahelm has worked up a new motorcycle helmet that incorporates a layer ammonium nitrate and water that instantly mixes in the event of a crash. The chemical reaction will maintain a 37-degree brain temperature, which is said to stave off oxygen loss to the brain.

According to Thermahelm, its technology will add roughly $250 to the cost of a helmet, and the company is currently working on a retrofit kit that will allow riders to install the system in their own helmets. Click past the break to watch a nifty video animating the technology.

[Source: Thermahelm]

Continue reading VIDEO: Thermahelm motorcycle helmet is swell. Err... not swell

VIDEO: Thermahelm motorcycle helmet is swell. Err... not swell originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bike helmetbike safetyBikeHelmetBikeSafetybrain injurybrain traumaBrainInjuryBrainTraumahelmethelmetsmotorcycle helmetmotorcycle helmetsmotorcycle safetyMotorcycleHelmetMotorcycleHelmetsMotorcycleSafetythermahelmthermahelm helmetThermahelmHelmetWed, 09 Dec 2009 16:55:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19271749/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/12/09/video-thermahelm-motorcycle-helmet-is-swell-err-not/19271749/article-detail.xml 19271749 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/thermahelm_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/thermahelm.jpg <![CDATA[NYT straps on its helmet and wades into the brain bucket controversy]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/28/nyt-straps-on-its-helmet-and-wades-into-the-brain-bucket-controv/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/28/nyt-straps-on-its-helmet-and-wades-into-the-brain-bucket-controv/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/28/nyt-straps-on-its-helmet-and-wades-into-the-brain-bucket-controv/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



There's a bit of controversy going on in the helmet world, and it has a direct impact - pun intended - on every motorcycle rider trying to protect his or her head while looking for the best helmet to buy. All helmets approved for sale in the United States are tested and approved by the Department of Transportation, and wear a DOT sticker to certify the fact. The issue is with the additional SNELL Memorial Foundation certification that some helmets have.

According to The New York Times, in order to attain the SNELL M2005 certification, a helmet needs to be able to withstand that impact of a small steel sphere, twice, with the headform inside the helmet experiencing less than 300 times the force of gravity (300 g's). That's a huge amount of force, and it has led to SNELL M2005 helmets being so exceptionally rigid that some head injury researchers believe riders are suffering brain damage because of it. Also, SNELL doesn't use headforms of different weights, so riders with small heads can especially disadvantaged because of the disproportionate forces they'll encounter in such a firm helmet.

Some helmet companies and doctors and the U.S. and European helmet certification authorities believe that the SNELL M2005 test is obsolete, and that helmets should be "softer, softer, softer." SNELL has admitted to the need to update its test, and will be unveiling the M2010 standard shortly. The problem is that the M2005 standard helmets will continue to be sold in America until 2012. They won't be able to be sold in Europe until SNELL re-engineers its test to allow for more forgiving headgear. For you riders out there, do your homework, ask around, and make sure to buy the helmet that's right for you. A cranium is a terrible thing to waste.

[Source: The New York Times | Image: SNELL Memorial Foundation]

NYT straps on its helmet and wades into the brain bucket controversy originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>department of transportationDepartmentOfTransportationdoteuropegovernmenthelmetmotorcyclesafetysnellsnell memorial foundationSnellMemorialFoundationMon, 28 Sep 2009 16:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19175846/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/09/28/nyt-straps-on-its-helmet-and-wades-into-the-brain-bucket-controv/19175846/article-detail.xml 19175846 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/snell-m2005-sticker_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/snell-m2005-sticker.jpg <![CDATA[SpadaConcept designs a carbon-fiber racing helmet]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/30/spadaconcept-designs-a-carbon-fiber-racing-helmet/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/30/spadaconcept-designs-a-carbon-fiber-racing-helmet/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/30/spadaconcept-designs-a-carbon-fiber-racing-helmet/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

If the name SpadaConcept rings a bell, you're probably recalling the Codatronca, the Italian coachbuilder's radical shark-nosed and tail-fined Corvette-based supercar pictured at right. The design studio has now designed a racing helmet for Italian manufacturer Stilo that's almost as radical.

The ST4 helmet is made of carbon fiber and manufactured in an autoclave, giving it a lower weight than conventional designs. Although it's not the first CF helmet on the market, it could be the most intriguing we've seen yet. The aggressive design incorporates two outlets for radio connection and hydration system in an aerodynamic shape good for open-cockpit racing. The result is a package that looks straight out of a sci-fi movie or video game (take your pick), but we'd gladly strap one on to test the 600-horsepower Codatronca, if and when the car is built.

[Source: Italiaspeed]

SpadaConcept designs a carbon-fiber racing helmet originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 30 Dec 2007 19:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coachbuildercodatroncadesignhelmetracingspada conceptSpadaConceptst4stiloSun, 30 Dec 2007 19:04:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1073615/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2007/12/30/spadaconcept-designs-a-carbon-fiber-racing-helmet/1073615/article-detail.xml 1073615 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/12/spadaconcept-helmet_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/12/spadaconcept-helmet.jpg -1 2