Airbags for Cyclists?
Discussion
A new airbag designed for cyclists has been developed with the aim of preventing head injuries in accidents.
The Hovding helmet sits as a collar around the cyclists’ neck leaving them free to ride without a conventional helmet. It inflates in an incredible 0.1 seconds, and leaves the skull and neck of a cyclist completely covered in a protective cushion.
Video
The collar is fitted with a sensor which detects sudden movement and inflates the bag using a small helium gas cylinder hidden inside. It has been tested extensively to ensure it inflates safely and in the correct circumstances. The makers claim that the collar does not accidentally inflate if the rider suddenly brakes for example. It does however inflate quickly enough to prevent the head from hitting the windscreen of a car or the road should they be involved in a serious accident.
The Hovding is made by a Swedish firm after being designed by two Swedish industrial design students. It is expected to hit shops in the UK in the first quarter of next year and is reported to cost an estimated £260.
Although widespread use would help cut serious injuries to cyclists, it would not stop cycle accident claims altogether. Many cyclists are injured through the actions of car drivers and suffer injuries such as broken legs and arms as well as the serious head injuries which the collar prevents. During 2009, 17,064 cyclists were injured on UK roads with 2,606 of these injuries being serious. With the use of helmets being in the majority it is up for debate how much effect the collar would have on reducing these statistics.
Article
The Hovding helmet sits as a collar around the cyclists’ neck leaving them free to ride without a conventional helmet. It inflates in an incredible 0.1 seconds, and leaves the skull and neck of a cyclist completely covered in a protective cushion.
Video
The collar is fitted with a sensor which detects sudden movement and inflates the bag using a small helium gas cylinder hidden inside. It has been tested extensively to ensure it inflates safely and in the correct circumstances. The makers claim that the collar does not accidentally inflate if the rider suddenly brakes for example. It does however inflate quickly enough to prevent the head from hitting the windscreen of a car or the road should they be involved in a serious accident.
The Hovding is made by a Swedish firm after being designed by two Swedish industrial design students. It is expected to hit shops in the UK in the first quarter of next year and is reported to cost an estimated £260.
Although widespread use would help cut serious injuries to cyclists, it would not stop cycle accident claims altogether. Many cyclists are injured through the actions of car drivers and suffer injuries such as broken legs and arms as well as the serious head injuries which the collar prevents. During 2009, 17,064 cyclists were injured on UK roads with 2,606 of these injuries being serious. With the use of helmets being in the majority it is up for debate how much effect the collar would have on reducing these statistics.
Article
Never go out without a helmet on the road, and used to always wear a full face when doing DH.
I stopped racing DH around the time people started wearing Leatt neck braces, which I see no problem with, but this thing seems like overkill - I can't imagine it is light or comfortable and for on road use (where this thing seems to be marketed) It is about avoiding getting hit, not reacting to it - spending £260 on lights, reflective clothing and a good helmet is a much better safety investment IMO.
I know saying it is about avoiding an accident and they saying "wear a good helmet" is a contradiction, but you have to be sensible about it - I'm not going to wear my pressure suit on the road - even though it would protect a fair bit of my in the result of a fall.
I stopped racing DH around the time people started wearing Leatt neck braces, which I see no problem with, but this thing seems like overkill - I can't imagine it is light or comfortable and for on road use (where this thing seems to be marketed) It is about avoiding getting hit, not reacting to it - spending £260 on lights, reflective clothing and a good helmet is a much better safety investment IMO.
I know saying it is about avoiding an accident and they saying "wear a good helmet" is a contradiction, but you have to be sensible about it - I'm not going to wear my pressure suit on the road - even though it would protect a fair bit of my in the result of a fall.
kambites said:
nottyash said:
Buy a car. its safer.
I'd be interested to know whether that's actually true. I wonder whether the fitness benefits of cycling outweigh the risk of accident. I wouldn't be surprised if cyclists have a higher average life expectancy than drivers. Great in summer though
kambites said:
nottyash said:
Buy a car. its safer.
I'd be interested to know whether that's actually true. I wonder whether the fitness benefits of cycling outweigh the risk of accident. I wouldn't be surprised if cyclists have a higher average life expectancy than drivers. Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff