Back after I lived in New York Metropolis, I needed to be a type of cool ladies who biked all over the place. Two issues stopped me. Firstly, I did not have a loss of life want. (For those who’ve seen hardcore city cyclists, you understand they know what they’re doing permits little room for error.) And secondly, admittedly a bit vainly, I did not wish 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 all the time been straightforward.
I do not reside within the metropolis anymore, however I do have a variety of family and friends who’re courageous sufficient to journey a motorbike on the busiest streets on the planet. The reward I am giving them this yr is one I want I had a number of years again: the Fend Helmet ($119), a foldable bike helmet that makes you wish to put on one.
In contrast to different bike helmets that are mounted and clunky, the Fend foldable bike helmet collapses into itself, folding the complete helmet down by 50 p.c of its authentic measurement. This permits it to slot in backpacks, messenger luggage, gymnasium 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, because of its streamlined design and adjustable match.
“When designing the helmet, it wanted to be one thing that we might say, ‘Hey, that is truly one thing I wish to put on, it is one thing that matches my life-style and is simply a part of the method of driving a motorbike’—it isn’t alleged to be this clunky factor it’s a must to have,” says Christian Von Heifner, co-founder of Fend.
Appears apart, comfort and security have been the 2 major sources of inspiration behind the helmet’s conception. Von Heifner and his co-founder, Sujene Kong, are two avid cyclists who reside in New York Metropolis—like me, neither might 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 along with his background in mechanical engineering, Kong together with her background in trend merchandising—and got down to create the helmet folks truly need to put on, and will simply carry with them to take action.
“Our goal buyer is that metropolis commuter,” says Kong. “A few of the suggestions that we have gotten is that it is tremendous straightforward to hold round, the purchasers actually love the design, how compact it’s. You’ll be able to match a number of in your backpack versus should you ever attempt to match a traditional helmet in your backpack with the rest, it does 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 autos as much as 20mph. Von Heifner explains to be able to meet these necessities, the helmet underwent meticulous testing via varied circumstances to guard the shoppers (together with an anvil drop on the helmet akin to one thing out of an episode of Looney Toons). The ultimate type incorporates solely one of the best of one of the best security parts, together with a sturdy, polymer shell that is crammed with an affect absorbing core, an adjustable dial and padding for a personalized match, and reflective stickers for night-riding, that are included in each buy.
“That CPSC certification is basically what we centered on. To not simply move it, however to exceed these requirements,” says Kong. “We needed to ensure it was a protected, dependable product.”
A product like Fend could possibly be useful for the biking group, in line with 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 don’t seem to be a cure-all—the answer comes from safer streets and protecting infrastructure, like designated bike lanes. However he does assume a product like Fend might 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 wish to cycle lots or who won’t wish to lug one thing round a lot day-after-day,” he says. “It could possibly be a game-changer.”
Nicely+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 assumed it might be,” he says. “I do plenty of ‘hybrid journeys,’ which means I am going to 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 possible carrying anyway. However it’s snug sufficient for a protracted journey up the Hudson River Greenway, too.”
You may even say carrying a Fend foldable bike helmet is a no brainer.
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