What!? MIPS?? That\’s a weird word.

Prithee allow me to explain.

Head protection while cycling — or, for that matter, in many sports — is much advised. When head impact occurs, two forces are involved: linear and rotational.

Brain injuries of any sort are no joke. MIPS,  or Multi-directional Impact Protection System, is designed to lessen rotational forces to the brain should you crash and your helmet hits the ground.

I cringe when I see people riding around on bicycles without helmets. Or riding skateboards and attempting all sorts of fancy tricks, again with no head protection. Or whizzing along on roller blades, or … I can\’t help thinking of what could happen if they land on the ground, and their heads take the brunt of it.

When I was a kid, which was a LONG time ago, we never thought of bicycle helmets. Neither did my parents. Long ago, Tour de France riders didn\’t wear helmets.

These days that\’s unimaginable. Kids on balance bikes wear helmets. Kids riding as a passenger on a bicycle wear a helmet. Many cycling events won\’t allow riders to participate without wearing a helmet.

Times sure have changed! So choose your helmet, and look for the MIPS dot!