There has been a lot of discussion about helmet-mounted cameras and the concerns that they may increase the risk of injuries, especially head injuries. With the popularity of motovlogging (vlogging while riding a motorcycle) and the digital era evolving, more people than ever are using cameras mounted on their helmets.
From a corporate health and safety point of view, the use of helmet-mounted cameras at trackdays has been banned due to the uncertainties and potential risks involved. This ban has deprived the internet of exciting and entertaining videos from the perspective of the pilots. There is something inherently captivating about POV videos (as seen in the 60fps video below of Baron spanking a GP bike) that cannot be replicated with a fixed mount, regardless of how advanced the gyros or gimbals are. I don’t know about you, but the last thing I worry about when heading onto a track is how an onboard camera – wherever it’s mounted – will affect injuries during a crash. Usually a juicy highside can do enough damage alone.
The IOPD and ACU have banned helmet mounts in order to reduce the risk of brain damage, neck and spinal injuries.
Michael Schumacher’s skiing accident led to many people wondering if helmets can really protect against such severe impacts. While other sports use helmets made from materials that offer very little protection, motorcycle helmets are much safer and better constructed. However, it is not clear if helmets are solely responsible for head injuries and trauma.
The BBC sent us details of some research that the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) did to try to make people less afraid of driving. There are a lot of things that can cause car crashes that the research couldn’t take into account, but any news that makes people feel better is good.
The study found that the three configurations of climbing helmets posed no increase to risk of head injury beyond what is required by current legislation.
Although we are not experts in the field of medicine, we can still offer our opinion on the matter. Does the media coverage surrounding the safety of this product worry you?
