Back once 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. (When you’ve seen hardcore city cyclists, 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 not any excuse to not put on one each time. Discovering one which’s handy and trendy, nonetheless, hasn’t all the time been simple.
I do not stay within the metropolis anymore, however I do have a variety of family and friends who’re courageous sufficient to experience a motorcycle on the busiest streets on the planet. The reward I am giving them this 12 months is one I want I had a number of 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 fastened and clunky, the Fend foldable bike helmet collapses into itself, folding the complete helmet down by 50 p.c of its unique measurement. This permits it to slot in backpacks, messenger luggage, fitness center totes, purses—no matter you are carrying with you in your experience. It additionally means it is sleeker and fewer chunky in your head than conventional helmets, due to its streamlined design and adjustable match.
“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 driving a motorcycle’—it is not 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 stay 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 together with his background in mechanical engineering, Kong along with her background in trend merchandising—and got down to create the helmet individuals 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 purchasers actually love the design, how compact it’s. You’ll be able to match a number of in your backpack versus in the event you ever attempt to match a standard helmet in your backpack with anything, 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 with the intention to meet these necessities, the helmet underwent meticulous testing via numerous 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 the perfect of the perfect security parts, together with a sturdy, polymer shell that is crammed with an impression 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 de facto what we targeted on. To not simply cross it, however to exceed these requirements,” says Kong. “We needed to ensure it was a secure, dependable product.”
A product like Fend may very well be helpful for the biking neighborhood, in accordance with Cory Epstein, director of communications for Transportation Options. For greater than 50 years, Transportation 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 individuals 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 rather a lot or who may not need to lug one thing round a lot daily,” he says. “It may very well 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 will be,” he says. “I do a whole lot of ‘hybrid journeys,’ that means I will experience 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 doubtless carrying anyway. Nevertheless it’s comfy sufficient for a protracted 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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