Back after I lived in New York Metropolis, I needed to be a type of cool women who biked in every single place. Two issues stopped me. Firstly, I did not have a loss of life want. (Should you’ve seen hardcore city cyclists, you realize they know what they’re doing permits little room for error.) And secondly, admittedly a bit vainly, I did not need to put on or carry a clunky bike helmet.
However this is the factor: Helmets are 88 p.c efficient in mitigating head and mind accidents; there is no excuse to not put on one each time. Discovering one which’s handy and trendy, nevertheless, hasn’t at all times been simple.
I do not stay within the metropolis anymore, however I do have numerous family and friends who’re courageous sufficient to journey a motorbike on the busiest streets on the earth. The reward I am giving them this yr is one I want I had just a few years again: the Fend Helmet ($119), a foldable bike helmet that makes you need to put on one.
In contrast to different bike helmets that are mounted and clunky, the Fend foldable bike helmet collapses into itself, folding your complete helmet down by 50 p.c of its authentic measurement. This enables it to slot in backpacks, messenger luggage, health club totes, purses—no matter you are carrying with you in your journey. It additionally means it is sleeker and fewer chunky in your head than conventional helmets, due to its streamlined design and adjustable match.
Specialists In This Article
- Christian Von Heifner, Christian Von Heifner is the co-founder of the bike helmet model, Fend.
- Cory Epstein, Cory Epstein is the director of communications for Transportation Alternate options.
- Sujene Kong, Sujene Kong is the co-founder of the bike helmet model, Fend.
“When designing the helmet, it wanted to be one thing that we would say, ‘Hey, that is really one thing I need to put on, it is one thing that matches my life-style and is simply a part of the method of using a motorbike’—it is not imagined to be this clunky factor you need to have,” says Christian Von Heifner, co-founder of Fend.
Seems apart, comfort and security have been the 2 main sources of inspiration behind the helmet’s conception. Von Heifner and his co-founder, Sujene Kong, are two avid cyclists who stay in New York Metropolis—like me, neither may discover a helmet they needed to put on. When Von Heifner was concerned in a critical biking accident sans helmet, the 2 realized one thing wanted to vary. So, they put their heads collectively—Von Heifner together with his background in mechanical engineering, Kong along with her background in trend merchandising—and got down to create the helmet folks really need to put on, and will simply carry with them to take action.
“Our goal buyer is that metropolis commuter,” says Kong. “A number of the suggestions that we have gotten is that it is tremendous simple to hold round, the shoppers actually love the design, how compact it’s. You’ll be able to match just a few in your backpack versus should you ever attempt to match a standard helmet in your backpack with anything, it would not match.”
The Fend foldable helmet collapses when not in use with out compromising security. It is US CPCS and EN-1078 licensed for bikes, skateboards, and motorized automobiles as much as 20mph. Von Heifner explains with the intention to meet these necessities, the helmet underwent meticulous testing via varied situations to guard the customers (together with an anvil drop on the helmet akin to one thing out of an episode of Looney Toons). The ultimate type incorporates solely the perfect of the perfect security parts, together with a sturdy, polymer shell that is stuffed with an affect absorbing core, an adjustable dial and padding for a custom-made match, and reflective stickers for night-riding, that are included in each buy.
“That CPSC certification is absolutely what we targeted on. To not simply cross it, however to exceed these requirements,” says Kong. “We needed to ensure it was a protected, dependable product.”
A product like Fend may very well be helpful for the biking group, in response to Cory Epstein, director of communications for Transportation Alternate options. For greater than 50 years, Transportation Alternate options has advocated for safer streets in New York Metropolis. Epstein says bike helmets assist, however they are not a cure-all—the answer comes from safer streets and protecting infrastructure, like designated bike lanes. However he does assume a product like Fend may get folks to put on extra helmets, particularly from a comfort standpoint.
“I do assume a product that is slimmer and extra handy for individuals who need to cycle so much or who may not need to lug one thing round a lot on daily basis,” he says. “It may very well be a game-changer.”
Effectively+Good senior editor Jamie Thilman has been carrying a Fend helmet on rides all through Brooklyn and Manhattan for a number of months now. “It is even higher than I believed it might be,” he says. “I do a whole lot of ‘hybrid journeys,’ that means I will journey a CitiBike to the subway station to shorten my commuting time, and it is nice for these 10-minute rides after which I can break it down and stash it within the canvas tote I am seemingly carrying anyway. Nevertheless it’s comfy sufficient for an extended journey up the Hudson River Greenway, too.”
You would possibly even say carrying a Fend foldable bike helmet is a no brainer.
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