Much has been written about the possible introduction of compulsory bicycle helmets, but everyone agrees that wearing one protects you better against head injuries in the event of a fall.

London-based start-up RLS has recently developed an innovative technology for bicycle helmets that significantly reduces the risk of concussions and traumatic brain injuries in the event of a fall.

The helmet, equipped with its Release Layer System (RLS) technology, achieved the highest safety rating in Virginia Tech Helmet Lab tests, surpassing traditional systems like MIPS.

Extra layer or panel

When you fall off your bike, rotational forces are often exerted on the brain because your head usually does not fall straight onto the ground but at an angle. Such rotational forces are even more damaging to the brain than a direct blow.

Many modern bicycle helmets feature the Multi-directional Impact Protection System (MIPS), a thin, low-friction layer between the outer shell and the lining that can move a few millimeters in the event of an oblique impact, absorbing or redirecting some of the rotational forces so that they do not fully impact the brain. In other words, it is a kind of sliding layer that limits the rotational impact.

The primary difference with the Release Layer System, developed by the British company RLS, is the presence of an additional layer between the outer shell and the inner lining. Instead of being able to move a few millimeters in all directions upon impact, as with MIPS, these external panels move or “roll” in the direction of the impact, making resistance to such forces more effective.

Between the different layers are miniature ball bearings, which distribute the forces released during a fall more evenly and limit harmful rotational movements. A notable advantage is that the helmet achieves this without becoming heavier or less comfortable compared to other helmet models on the market.

$160 price ticket

The first helmet with RLS, the Canyon Deflectr Trail, will be launched this fall, and the safety results are already impressive. In the U.S.-based Virginia Tech Helmet Lab tests, widely regarded as one of the best independent references for bicycle and sports helmet safety, the helmet achieved the highest safety rating, scoring higher than a helmet with a MIPS system.

HEXR, a company that previously collaborated with RLS founder Jamie Cook, has also developed a helmet with RLS technology. The HEXR Miden RLS currently ranks second in the Virginia Tech safety rankings.

According to the interactive biker platform Wielerflits, independent measurements at the University of Strasbourg confirm the effectiveness of this system: the peak rotational speed was reduced by 56 to 66% compared to the same helmet without RLS panels. According to calculations, this leads to a reduction in the risk of brain injury by as much as 68 to 84%.

Prices for the EU market have not yet been announced, but in the US, the Canyon helmet has a retail price of $160, equivalent to approximately €148.