Invisible Bike Helmet

[Rob]

From the MSN website.

http://www.today.com/video/today/53563167#53563167

I don't know how practical this is for bikes or perhaps down the road for motorized vehicles, but if nothing else, it's an interesting concept.

Rob

[RoadRambler]

In equestrian sports, a few inflatable crash vests have come into use, without solid data backing up their effectiveness. I can't help but apply some of those concerns to this inflatable helmet (sorry, not going to play into their marketing scheme and call it invisible). Aren't the inflatable vests also used in motocross and other motorcycle sports? How are they working out there?

Anyway, there are questions raised in horse sports about whether inflatable vests might actually cause or exacerbate certain types of injuries, by the way they direct forces along the spinal column in ways traditional armored riding vests do not.

Might this helmet actually whip your head about by its inflation, for example? Also, does it obstruct vision once it inflates? It looked like it might. What if it accidentally deployed and caused more problems than it is meant to avoid?


I'm not trying to just criticize in a knee-jerk fashion and condemn anything new, but again, I would have to be very convinced by data from neutral researchers before I would try it.

Still, I think it is an inspired idea well worth researching. I grew up in an era of no helmets for bicycle or casual horseback riding, and competition equestrian helmets for foxhunting and shows were simple cardboard fashion accessories rather than actual protective devices. So now I am so glad that most kids wear helmets to bicycle in, and helmets for even casual horseback riding are very widespread.

If this device is safe and offers comparable protection to a regular helmet in real-world conditions -- FABULOUS.



P.S. My, I did natter on, didn't I? Sorry.

[Rob]

Yeah, I should have added "how safe" this is to my original statement as that would be my primary concern.

I don't know how practical Or Safe this is for bikes and perhaps down the road for motorized vehicles, but if nothing else, it's an interesting concept.

Rob[/i][/b]

[agrogod]

Yeah, I should have added "how safe" this is to my original statement as that would be my primary concern.

I don't know how practical Or Safe this is for bikes and perhaps down the road for motorized vehicles, but if nothing else, it's an interesting concept.

Rob[/i][/b]

[insert statement here] "But think of the children......"[/end statement] I am sure some political pungent is saying this exact thing.

[az_slynch]

Perfect for these people.

Not a bad idea for those who just can't stand wearing a helmet. I think it'd need more work before it was practical for riding on a scooter or motorcycle. While the manufacturer's website touts the "helmet" as being made made of a strong nylon for abrasion resistance, I expect it to have a limited amount of abrasion resistance at motorcycle-off speeds, as there isn't much ablative material as a traditional helmet. Maybe this could be addressed with kevlar? I also suspect that the "visor" section might need some reinforcement to keep it from flipping back if the rider landed wrong.

In the plus column, it's charged via USB, so it could be maintained on longer rides by the bike's alternator. The safety switch integrated into the zipper is a clever idea as well.