This is not an endorsement. Just thought we needed something new to argue about.



More info here.

As a design exercise I think it's an interesting idea. But it feels a lot like a solution in search of a problem.

Sort of feel that way too, although there are times when I find myself looking for a convenient place to stash my helmet. The problem I see with this is that it's still fairly bulky in its folded state.

I wonder does it fold the same during a crash?

The two images reminds me of a commercial.
1st image: "This is your helmet.".
2nd image: "This is your brain in the helmet after a crash."

There is actually another foldable helmet on the market (or there was). It came out around 3.5 years ago. The sides folded in, but that was it, so it was flatter but longer than this helmet. At first I thought it would be cool to have as it would fit nicely in any backpack, but it was only sold in Europe (at least back then, since it didn't meet US safety standards). I think the concept is pretty cool, as it would be nice for helmet wearers to be able to carry them off-bike more easily, but that's probably pretty far down the list of issues that cyclsists deal with.

Just googled it. It's called the Stashkit Folding Bicycle helmet. Here's a link: https://www.ohgizmo.com/2007/08/20/st...icycle-helmet/

There are two groups who might embrace a folding helmet design, that I can see. One is the person who rides to transit, but doesn't want to leave the helmet locked to the bike, exposed to the elements. The other is the frequent bike share customer.

The issue, though, as others have pointed out, is that this design does not appear to be very compact when folded. I would think that in order to gain appreciable acceptance among any population who might want such an item, the folded size would need to be a real space saver, and probably more important, the folded shape would need to conform to commonly carried bags (purses, briefcases, messenger bags, etc...). My sense is that this design remains very wide. perhaps if it folded the other way, so that the front and back collapsed, and the sides were more static, making a longer, but narrower 'package'.

I would probably buy a folding helmet for my bike to transit days, if the design were actually space saving. Oh, it would also probably have to come with some sort of protective case, I think.

Another negative would be a helmet mounted mirror. I have to readjust mine often enough.

I have this locking drybox mounted on my rack. My helmet plus mirror fits easily and stays dry.

NB: Advantage Europe built More infrastructure for Cycling

Well, I am a happy user of a foldable Snap-It helmet by Motorika. My wife envied it so much that I had to get one for her. For me, that helmet is a perfect addition to a foldable bike. It is easier to pack into a suitcase than a regular helmet - for the latter I need to invent some special protection and I already have enough hassle with the surge in various items I need to carry along with the bike. My wife combines a ride by bike with municipal transit and it is easier for her to take a folded helmet along. Indeed the folded helmet is not particularly compact, but is still easier to stash into luggage and its folded shape makes the helmet generally more resilient within the luggage.

As to the level of protection, Motorika is practically a regular helmet cut into slices that can be placed within each other. There is a compromise in the shape that it ends up being a half-sphere. With some velcroed foams it fits reasonably well. Still regarding comfort I'd prefer one of my other helmets. Regarding protection, I do not think it is worse than one or two of my other helmets. The best protection is provided by my skiing helmet, but I do not wear it during summer - always some compromise there.

+1

That's nothing new!

I recall a folding helmet made of cardboard being advertised years ago, but the concept seems to have fizzled. The idea was to have a cheap helmet that you could sell in a vending machine next to bike-share locations. The lack of a helmet has been cited as one problem facing bike-share programs.

I've never been that bothered by carrying my helmet around. Though I do wish that the visor was attached more firmly. And the mirror adds greatly to the overall dimension (and fragility).

It looks like something that escaped from the set of a "Transformers" movie...

Maybe a Polo helmet for Optimus Prime?

posted the old leather "hairnet" before i had a chance to. Way better solution to the problem than above. Just make the tubes stiffer foam and add a hinge in the middle. The folding helmet looks like minimal protection.

That's where I was going... it should transform to (or from) something useful. How about a globe for my desk that transformed into a helmet? Pencil Holder? Mouse? Maybe a U-Lock, that would be awesome.

Biologic also has one called the "Pango"https://www.thinkbiologic.com/product...folding-helmet I was interested in this one until I saw that it is not available in the us. Probably because of the safety restrictions.

There. I fixed it.

tjspiel> You are a cruel person. Making me want such an awesome thing only to find out it isnt commercially available yet.

Funny thing is, when I read the title, I thought, "Thats stupid. The safety of the helmet is compromised." The I saw how cool it looked. THEN I realized I can use it for work.

I would even settle for that illegal in the US helmet. Unfortunately, for buying purposes at least, I live in the US.

Setting aside data that supports that helmets for cyclists aren't statistically such a panacea ( Ok, I'm sure to hear all the specific anecdotes now!!) What would be real nice and probably a compromise for form, fit, and function would be an inflatable helmet. It would probably work once, which is all the diligent users are content with (and the helmet industry give as a reason to buy a new one). It would obviously pack small, uninflated. It would satisfy the same neener-neener second-guessing pedestrians that tap dance in front of cyclists. And it would help keep bike share programs from being so scrutinized by overjealous safety jerks. Here in DC there's all these studies and inane observations, but head injuries are very rare with like 12 percent helmet usage; in arguably the worst traffic in the USA!!!

If you search a bit there is compelling data that debunk the helmet myth: maybe there is some benefit to the image of wearing a helmet, tho.