Should cyclists start wearing airbags or what?

The bicycle helmet has been around for decades? The helmet materials change but the basic design has stayed the same. Once a helmet always a helmet, except for that time a Toronto-area Mom designed a very cool helmet so her Sikh children would be able to wear one.

But, these days there are many people are either side of the should-I or shouldn’t-I debate when it comes to helmets. And we are not going to rehash that right now. We are going beyond it to the latest realm in mobility safety — airbags.

We aren’t sure we will see a lot of these in the bike lanes anytime soon, but they are out there, and we think you should know about them.

Here are two of the leaders in the airbag space.

Hovding cycling airbag

The Hövding

Meet Hövding 3, a groundbreaking innovation from Sweden that’s redefining cycling safety. This remarkable piece of technology offers an intriguing solution to the age-old question: Can a cyclist truly benefit from an airbag?

So, how does Hövding work? It’s all about state-of-the-art technology. This smart device registers a cyclist’s every move, an impressive 200 times per second. When an accident occurs, the airbag concealed within a collar wrapped around a cyclist’s neck inflates in just 0.1 seconds, providing rapid support that immobilizes the neck and shields the head from potential harm.

But what’s the secret behind Hövding’s reliability? It all comes down to a unique combination of sensors and a carefully crafted algorithm. Countless tests were conducted to recreate cycling accidents, with skilled stunt riders and crash-test dummies helping gather essential data on accident-related movement patterns.

The airbag itself is a feat of engineering, designed like a protective hood. Crafted from a single piece of woven polyamide, it proves its mettle by resisting tears, even when scraping against the ground.

Hövding’s activation system is equally innovative. A magnetic solution, it shifts the device to active mode when the strap is inserted. By breaking a magnetic field, it triggers the Hövding instantaneously.

At the core of this technological marvel, you’ll find the hardware that connects the activation system, battery, speaker, and inflator. The firmware gives life to the product, controlling all its functions and user interactions.

The rear casing serves as a protective housing, safeguarding the electronic card, speaker, battery, and inflator. It not only shields these components but also acts as a user interface with the function button, USB-C contact, and LED indicator. The USB connector, vital for charging the Hövding, remains protected by a USB-lid to prevent damage during regular use.

The collar, made from waterproof and functional fabric, ensures the best possible protection for the built-in airbag system. It’s designed to provide a comfortable fit that can be easily adjusted to suit the wearer’s needs.

Hövding 3 even offers Bluetooth® connectivity, allowing users to pair it with their Android or Apple mobile devices. Through a mobile app, they can check the battery level, update firmware, review individual biking statistics, and utilize the ICE function—an emergency service that contacts a designated person if Hövding inflates.

Scientific research shows that Hövding’s airbag technology offers protection up to eight times better than traditional bicycle helmets. French testing institute Certimoov has given its stamp of approval, confirming that Hövding is the safest option for cyclists.

This innovation has been shaped through rigorous testing, ensuring it stands up to the demands of real-world cycling. Hövding has come a long way, serving as a rebel in the world of safety innovation, determined to rewrite the history of helmets and save lives.

In the end, the question of whether a cyclist needs an airbag remains a personal one, influenced by the allure of enhanced safety and the desire to incorporate this high-tech layer into the cycling experience.

Helite B’Safe cycling airbag vest

B’Safe

B’Safe is an innovative solution in the realm of cycling safety from Helite. A company that makes airbag vests for a range of sports from equestrian to motorcycles.

So, how does this bicycle airbag function? B’Safe incorporates onboard sensors that meticulously track a cyclist’s movements, responding to real-time data over a hundred times per second. When these sensors detect an impending fall, they trigger the airbag to inflate in a remarkably swift 80 milliseconds, aiming to shield the rider from harm.

What sets B’Safe apart is the sophisticated algorithm at its core. This algorithm has been meticulously honed through the analysis of thousands of data points and countless simulated falls. It’s designed to differentiate between everyday movements and situations where protection is necessary.

Two crucial sensors are key to the system. The CDU sensor, integrated into the cyclist’s attire, constantly assesses their movements, drawing on GPS, gyroscope, and accelerometer data. The SDU saddle sensor, discreetly positioned beneath the saddle, remains alert for unexpected shocks or jolts. When they identify irregularities, they collaborate to initiate the airbag, providing protection when it’s needed most.

The airbag, designed to safeguard the chest, abdomen, neck, and back—areas vulnerable in an accident— is crafted from durable nylon that withstands inflation without tearing. After each deployment, it dutifully deflates, ready to be called into action again.

B’Safe’s commitment to safety has earned recognition in the form of two prestigious awards: the CES Innovation Award in 2019 for “Wearable Technology” and the Road Safety Innovation Award in the “Help for Two-Wheelers” category.

But beyond accolades and technological marvels, the central question remains: Is an airbag a necessity for cyclists? That’s a debate only each cyclist can resolve, weighing the allure of enhanced safety against the complexity of adding this high-tech layer to their cycling experience.