Virginia Tech and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety have collaborated on a bike helmet rating system based on its own laboratory testing.
The program tested 30 adult helmets, looking at road-style models and urban style models and rating them from one star to five stars. Four earned the highest rating of 5 stars, two earned 2 stars, and the rest were in the 3-4-star range. Of the four 5-star helmets in the initial test group, all are equipped with a Multi-Directional Impact Protection System (MIPS). This technology creates a low-friction layer inside the helmet.