Thoughts on the EcoHelmet?

Has anyone tried one? They're not available for purchase yet (I don't think?) but they've tested them in various places.

Link here if you're not familiar with them!

EcoHelmet is a foldable, recyclable bike helmet made from paper - Sep. 8, 2016

Very interesting. Perfect for bike sharing cities where helmets are mandatory like Vancouver BC, or anyone else who bike shares and wants some protection. If they can keep the costs down then I can see this working out quite well. Outside of this scenario not so much but maybe others will enlighten me.

Certification to the standards required by countries around the world will be the key to whether the helmet finds commercial success. And the certification procedures will add to the costs. Plus there may be some resistance by current helmet manufacturers to the concept. Only time will tell.

However, having said that, there is a need for the concept. Australia has stringent road laws requiring cyclists to wear helmets on road and MUPs. Without debating the merits of the law itself, it certainly has been an impediment to making public hire bikes in various major cities here more viable and popular.

I hope her concept works out. It does seem like a simple but imaginative and elegant solution.

When I read about something that starts with "eco" or "green" I usually stop reading because I know it's probably gonna be stupid. This helmet takes the first place stupid prize.

I mean, come on man, seriously?

Much more "eco" to buy a helmet than to produce and recycle paper helmets. Why do people renting bikes need paper helmets instead of plastic ones?

I dont know.. I think all helmets look terrible, so this one doesnt look any worse than what's out there now. I wouldnt ride without one nonetheless.

Maybe its the color but it reminds me of the examination gown they make you put on at the doctor's office.


-Tim-

I think it's an interesting idea that is still in the very early stages of testing. I had a couple of thoughts after reading the article:
- All of the models in the article are petite women. I wonder how these would work with other demographics- are they supposed to be one size fits all? Because spreading those materials out would, I think, have a negative impact on their function (granted, I have no information to back this up, just trying to think through a potential problem).
- Also, there is not much protection for the temporal and occipital bones. If I were to get side-swiped and land with my ears on the ground, how much protection would the cardboard hat provide then?
I'll reiterate, it looks like an innovative idea. But I wouldn't entrust my brain to it yet.

I've heard of it, but don't know much about it. However, the image does not inspire confidence.

Disposable.... er... recyclable helmets and fleets of rental bicycles?

I think the rental bikes are a temporary solution to a temporary problem. With the problem being: Wanting to ride a bicycle downtown... but not wanting to actually own a bicycle.

A cardboard helmet is the same. Having a helmet-ish thing to wear (while riding a bicycle shaped object... that you also don't own.

I am not against it. But the cardboard helmets and rental bikes just serve as a reminder (to me) that cycling currently has a fad-like appeal to many.

A 1mph headwind would probably try to lift it off your head. Look at it.

Thanks for all of the replies and ensuing discussion! I too worry about the protection of the area around the ears as noted above. It doesn't look fashionable but can't say any helmet does. Without testing it personally, I feel like it would be okay for slower riding on bike paths etc but not for the road rider like myself who averages 20mph in traffic.

I'd say it looks like it offers all the benefits of normal helmets ... except in a crash.

Put it on a Bowling ball, and drop it from a 2M height , and get back to us on its impact absorbing Function
in a test replicating the ones EPS Helmets must Pass.

Can't say how much a bowling ball weighs but they did some testing... "To ensure safety, Shiffer tested it by using a crash testing rig. "We dropped 10 pounds of weight from three feet and it withstood the impact," she said."

The article later goes on to say "U.S. federal safety standards require a bike helmet to protect the wearer's head from an impact that's equivalent to a 6-1/2 foot drop."

What we have here .... is half-assed headwear.

Honestly I don't see how this repurposed party decoration is going to provide much protection in case of an impact. And no, there is no bicycle helmet which looks stylish, but that thing just looks ridiculous. And just think about the funny design that's going to be on your forehead after riding all day in the sun.

But she's kinda cute.

I don't see the point in a $5 disposable helmet, except to a very occasional user. For $15 I can buy a cheap helmet at Wal-Mart, if I am regularly using rideshare bikes I'll just bring the helmet with me. Easy enough to clip it onto a bag while you are on teh bus or train or whatnot until you get to the bikes.

Now you have tbi and you're out five bucks.

Your lack of experience outside your bubble must be the reason you don't realize that people rent bikes (and use bike share programs) for many different reasons. For example, tourists (including those from other countries) use our bike share program or rent bikes while in town. It has nothing to do with not wanting to own a bike. It has to do with the practicality of travelling with a bike, possibly from city to city. And not wanting to own a bike but still ride is not a "problem." Some people have very small apartments that cannot accommodate bikes. Some people use bikes so infrequently that it makes economic sense to use a bike share program.

It's very festive.

Regardless what you think of helmet laws or bike shares or this helmet, it should be obvious to anyone that a helmet law sabotages bike share use. Adding something more to buy wouldn't seem like an obvious fix.

I thought you were kidding until I followed the link. The "helmet" pictured looks completely worthless. I do not see it offering any protection in a real crash where forces are not only directly into the helmet; but also from a side angle.

I just saw that though wearing a Helmet, Skiing, F1 superstar Michael Schumacher after his head injury in 2013 can not yet, walk.

Wonder how sweat or rain affects the product comfort or effectiveness?

Also Shiffer, CEO and founder of design consultancy Spitfire Industry, told CNNMoney "You could buy a helmet for $5 or less, and when you're done with the ride, you'd put it back in a recycle bin located at each station." Sounds pretty darn expensive for one time use.