What is STAR?
STAR (Summation of Tests for the Analysis of Risk) is Virginia Tech's proprietary methodology for evaluating bicycle helmet safety. Unlike basic safety certifications that only test pass/fail criteria, STAR provides nuanced safety scores that allow meaningful comparisons between helmet models.
Key Innovation
STAR methodology simulates real-world cycling accidents using impact data from actual crash scenarios, providing more relevant safety assessments than traditional laboratory testing alone.
Testing Protocol
Impact Locations
- • Front impact zone
- • Front boss (forehead area)
- • Side impact zone
- • Rear impact zone
- • Top impact zone
Impact Velocities
- • 4.8 m/s (10.7 mph)
- • 5.5 m/s (12.3 mph)
- • 6.2 m/s (13.9 mph)
- • Various angles and orientations
- • Multiple impact scenarios
Test Conditions
Each helmet model undergoes standardized impact tests using a custom-built testing apparatus. The system measures linear and rotational acceleration during impacts, simulating forces that can cause both focal and diffuse brain injuries.
Controlled laboratory conditions
Multiple helmets per model
High-speed data acquisition
STAR Scoring System
Lower Scores = Better Protection
STAR scores represent relative risk levels. A helmet with a score of 8.0 provides significantly better protection than one with a score of 15.0. The scale is logarithmic, meaning small differences in scores represent meaningful differences in protection levels.
Research Foundation
Crash Data Analysis
Virginia Tech researchers analyzed thousands of real cycling accidents to understand impact locations, velocities, and injury patterns. This data directly informs the STAR testing protocol.
- • Emergency department records
- • Police accident reports
- • Insurance claim data
- • Helmet damage analysis
Biomechanical Modeling
Advanced computer models simulate how impact forces translate to brain tissue deformation, providing insight into injury mechanisms and helmet protective capabilities.
- • Finite element analysis
- • Brain injury thresholds
- • Material property testing
- • Impact dynamics modeling
Understanding Limitations
While STAR methodology represents the most comprehensive bicycle helmet evaluation available, it's important to understand its scope and limitations:
- • Laboratory conditions: Testing occurs in controlled environments that may not capture all real-world variables
- • Impact scenarios: Tests simulate common accident types but cannot cover every possible crash scenario
- • Individual variation: Helmet fit, wear patterns, and user behavior affect real-world protection
- • Technology evolution: New helmet technologies may not be fully captured by existing test protocols
Data Accuracy & Updates
HelmetScore Commitment
All safety scores in our database come directly from Virginia Tech's official publications. We do not modify, adjust, or interpret the original research data.
Regular Updates
As Virginia Tech publishes new helmet evaluations, we update our database to include the latest safety ratings and newly tested models.