Riding a bicycle is a great way to get some exercise and it lets you get from Point A to Point B without being too mean to Mother Nature, but the dreaded bicycle helmet can take the fun out of it, although it does help keep you safe in case of an accident. What if you could wear a helmet that was only present when you needed it?
Airbags make cars safer but can you imagine actually driving around with that big ol’ airbag in your face? Of course, which is why the airbag is tucked away until you need it. The Hövding Airbag for Cyclists works the same way, except the airbag is more of an air-helmet.
Bicycle helmets keep our brains tucked nicely within our skulls if we happen to take a tumble off the bicycle but the helmet can also mess up our hair, obstruct our vision, and make our heads sweat like a pig if the temps are high, which is why two college students in Sweden working on their Master’s thesis’ decided to see if they could create a helmet that people would be happy to wear.
The airbag helmet, which is made of ultra-strong nylon fabric, stays fully inflated long enough to protect against multiple head impacts during the same accident. After a few seconds have passed, the helmet slowly deflates. Because it’s considered safety equipment, some insurance companies will even cover part of the expense of a new Hövding after you have had an accident.
You can add a Hövding to your cycling gear for €399/$535.46.