A class action lawsuit has been filed in New York against Trek Bicycle Corporation, associated with the Bontrager brand, seeking $5 million for the company's "false and deceptive" claims that its WaveCell helmet is highly effective in reducing brain injuries following bicycle accidents.

Andrew Glancey, an individual from Staatsburg, NY, is the plaintiff, BicycleRetailer.com (opens in new tab) reported Thursday. The lawsuit alleges "misleading claims" about the technology described in the construction of the helmet, which was released in 2019, as well as inaccuracies in the tests conducted to prove the marketing statement.

One of the issues is Trek's claim that the WaveCel is "up to 48 times more effective than traditional foam helmets" in preventing concussions in bicycle accidents. The lawsuit alleges that Trek profited from the false claims and that some models were sold at such high prices that they cost as much as $299.99 at retail.

Trek's statement states that the personal injury claims are not part of the lawsuit and that the company will defend its products.

"Trek believes in and supports the Bontrager Wavecel helmet," a Trek spokesperson told Cycling News on Saturday. 'This lawsuit is without merit and we will vigorously defend against it. Plaintiffs have not alleged any physical injury. Trek will responsibly continue to promote and improve this helmet technology innovation."

Trek is "committed to the development of new and improved helmet technology.

According to BicycleRetailer.com, the lawsuit states that the study did not use the actual Bontrager WaveCel helmet for testing, but a different modification, "a Scott ARX helmet modified to include WaveCel components." The helmet was allegedly used.

In 2019, a press release for Bontrager's WaveCel helmet called it "the most advanced helmet technology ever designed." It described the technology as replacing traditional EPS foam with a layer of cells designed to move independently until the cell walls crumple and slide, dissipating both direct and rotational energy from the head.

When Bontrager introduced its WaveCel helmet technology, the fanfare about safety and energy absorption generated considerable controversy. Information about product testing conducted at the Portland Biomechanics Institute's Helmet Impact Testing (HIT) facility mentioned that the Scott ARX helmet was used in an independent study.