"Invisible" bike helmet

[Phillip Farber]

Essentially an airbag you wear like a collar that inflates around your head in an impact. Not sure what to think about this.

http://www.doobybrain.com/2012/08/13/the-invisible-bike-helmet/

Phil

[katkrazygrrl]

I was looking at this recently.  I thought that is looks bulky and would be very hot and bothersome most of the time.  Helmets are so light and well ventilated - and compared to this, very cost effective.  In winter you need to cover your head anyway.  I am considering  posting these comments on their facebook page to see their response.  https://www.facebook.com/hovdingsverige 

[Dave Askins]

I tend to agree with katkrazygrrl – in that it just looks like it'd be
uncomfortably warm except in cooler temps. It seems like it might also
inhibit the turning of your head – to check to the rear or the side
for other vehicles.

I mean, it's a remarkable technical achievement. Really astonishing,
in fact. It might even offer better protection in the event of a
crash.

But egad, given a choice of wearing my helmet or this thing, it'd be a
pretty easy choice. To me, it's a brilliant solution to something that
I don't really perceive as a problem.

> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition" group.
> To view this discussion on the web visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msg/wbwc/-/0eppQ71zwQgJ.
>
> To post to this group, send email to wb...@googlegroups.com.
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> wbwc+uns...@googlegroups.com.
> For more options, visit this group at
> http://groups.google.com/group/wbwc?hl=en.



--
Dave Askins
Editor, The Ann Arbor Chronicle
734.645.2633
www.annarborchronicle.com
Member of the Michigan Press Association

[Thaddeus Weakley]

I guess I'm skeptical until I see more data on this too. This is the first time I have heard of these.

 

There are situations in which one can be thrown from their bike without hitting anything/ being hit.  Without that instant change in velocity, I question how many serious head impacts would happen in which the bag would not inflate, even when working properly.  A case such as a sizable depression in the road that grabs front wheel, causing the cyclist to somersault from her/his bike and directly onto her/his head.

 

Another thought is particularly in urban cycling or some kinds of mountain biking, that there could be a lot of abrupt jarring movements just with very rough terraine, that might trigger the "invisible" helmet to inflate when not necessary or wanted.  At least it doesn't appear to block the cyclist's view as when airbags in an auto accident do.

 

A lot of bicycle facilities have to be built so the beginner-intermediate cyclist will be comfortable enough to cycle, even if such facilities are not the most desirable for the experienced cyclist/ or from an engineering viewpoint.  Likewise (assuming traditional helmets offer better protection) - if these "invisible" helmets would be worn by a sector of the population that refuses to wear traditional helmets, then they may at least offer some protection that otherwise would be done without.  Like cycling facilities geared to different experience levels, could these invisible helmets possibly act as a gateway to (what appears to me better-protecting) traditional helmet use....?

 

As with so many things, it seems like the perceived "discomfort" of helmets, like seat belts and other safety devices may often be more in one's head and social conditioning than reality. 

 

First impressions, but hard for me to know what to think at this point. 

 

Thad

 

--