Back after I lived in New York Metropolis, I needed to be a type of cool ladies who biked in every single place. Two issues stopped me. Firstly, I did not have a dying want. (If you happen to’ve seen hardcore city cyclists, you recognize 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 not any excuse to not put on one each time. Discovering one which’s handy and trendy, nonetheless, hasn’t at all times been simple.
I do not stay within the metropolis anymore, however I do have various family and friends who’re courageous sufficient to trip a motorcycle on the busiest streets on this planet. The present 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 fastened and clunky, the Fend foldable bike helmet collapses into itself, folding the complete helmet down by 50 p.c of its unique dimension. This enables it to slot in backpacks, messenger baggage, fitness center totes, purses—no matter you are carrying with you in your trip. It additionally means it is sleeker and fewer chunky in your head than conventional helmets, because of 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 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 might say, ‘Hey, that is really one thing I wish to put on, it is one thing that matches my way of life and is simply a part of the method of driving a motorcycle’—it isn’t presupposed to be this clunky factor it’s important to have,” says Christian Von Heifner, co-founder of Fend.
Seems to be 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 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 alter. So, they put their heads collectively—Von Heifner together with his background in mechanical engineering, Kong along with her background in vogue 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. “Among 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 a number of in your backpack versus should you ever attempt to match a traditional 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 autos as much as 20mph. Von Heifner explains in an effort to meet these necessities, the helmet underwent meticulous testing via numerous 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 fashion incorporates solely the very best of the very 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 absolutely what we targeted on. To not simply move it, however to exceed these requirements,” says Kong. “We needed to ensure it was a secure, dependable product.”
A product like Fend might be useful for the biking group, in line 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 suppose a product like Fend might get folks to put on extra helmets, particularly from a comfort standpoint.
“I do suppose a product that is slimmer and extra handy for individuals who wish to cycle loads or who may not wish to lug one thing round a lot every single day,” he says. “It might be a game-changer.”
Nicely+Good senior editor Jamie Thilman has been sporting a Fend helmet on rides all through Brooklyn and Manhattan for a number of months now. “It is even higher than I believed it will be,” he says. “I do a whole lot of ‘hybrid journeys,’ that means I am going to trip 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. But it surely’s comfy sufficient for a protracted journey up the Hudson River Greenway, too.”
You would possibly even say sporting a Fend foldable bike helmet is a no brainer.
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