Paper Helmet
Author
Discussion

Agent XXX

Original Poster:

1,248 posts

135 months

Thursday 17th November 2016
quotequote all
Just would you?

Seems like Sir James Dyson approves but would you trust it in a proper fall?

Looks bloody ridiculous too!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-38004215

Matttrakker

630 posts

176 months

Thursday 17th November 2016
quotequote all
thats quite clever, but couldn't look more ridiculous, you could have them designed in all sorts of shapes like those cheap Christmas decorations

ukbabz

1,647 posts

155 months

Thursday 17th November 2016
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I'd worry about how it'd last if you got caught in a downpour, or if you're sweating buckets.

Am already a bit concerned about whether my 3 year old helmet is still safe due to use / sunlight / small knocks -- a paper one would probably be a big no no (unless it was a 1 off single use thing)

SixPotBelly

1,925 posts

249 months

Thursday 17th November 2016
quotequote all
I think I see the market they're targeting...

You're going on a hand luggage only trip to a city that had Boris bikes and you'll have some free time with which to go exploring. Ordinarily you might hire one and ride without a helmet, but if that makes you feel uncomfortable you could find space in your carry-on bag for one of their folded card ones. It won't offer you the same protection as the proper helmet you couldn't bring, but it'll offer more than none*.

*Or at least that's the idea.

esuuv

1,420 posts

234 months

Thursday 17th November 2016
quotequote all
SixPotBelly said:
I think I see the market they're targeting...

You're going on a hand luggage only trip to a city that had Boris bikes and you'll have some free time with which to go exploring. Ordinarily you might hire one and ride without a helmet, but if that makes you feel uncomfortable you could find space in your carry-on bag for one of their folded card ones. It won't offer you the same protection as the proper helmet you couldn't bring, but it'll offer more than none*.

*Or at least that's the idea.
I think the idea is that they can be bought at the location - so have a vending machine, or sell them in bike shops for a fiver, a disposable helmet, to go with a city rental bike.

NorthDave

2,537 posts

261 months

Friday 18th November 2016
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I reckon she could get the costs down to pennies if making enough of them. They seem like a perfect marketing opportunity to me - a Santander helmet given for free when hiring the bikes. Good advertising for them.

SixPotBelly

1,925 posts

249 months

Friday 18th November 2016
quotequote all
esuuv said:
I think the idea is that they can be bought at the location - so have a vending machine, or sell them in bike shops for a fiver, a disposable helmet, to go with a city rental bike.
I think we're thinking along the same lines. And not just from vending machines and bike shops but newsagents and cornershops too. The key thing is it's a disposable helmet that offers more protection than none, for when you haven't got a proper helmet with you, rather than a replacement for your proper helmet.

American iv

468 posts

225 months

Tuesday 22nd November 2016
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it would be ideal in places with Boris bikes, but a legal requirement to wear a helmet when you are cycling - e.g. Melbourne.

anonymous-user

83 months

Tuesday 22nd November 2016
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Without proper testing and some approval against an industry standard I can see a huge court case heading their way when the first rider wearing one suffers a serious head injury.

I can still remember the look the doctor gave my Specialized Evade as he inspected it for damage whilst I lay in A&E.

The whole argument that it's useful for a Boris bike thing is nonsense, a car hitting you won't hurt less if you're on a Boris bike or a road bike, your head is still going to hit the floor and it will hurt. The driver that hit me was doing about 20mph approaching a roundabout, on his phone, not paying attention. The injury would be no less or more had I been on a Boris bike...i'd rather go without than kid myself that this is a viable alternative.

SixPotBelly

1,925 posts

249 months

Tuesday 22nd November 2016
quotequote all
pablo said:
Without proper testing and some approval against an industry standard I can see a huge court case heading their way when the first rider wearing one suffers a serious head injury.

I can still remember the look the doctor gave my Specialized Evade as he inspected it for damage whilst I lay in A&E.

The whole argument that it's useful for a Boris bike thing is nonsense, a car hitting you won't hurt less if you're on a Boris bike or a road bike, your head is still going to hit the floor and it will hurt. The driver that hit me was doing about 20mph approaching a roundabout, on his phone, not paying attention. The injury would be no less or more had I been on a Boris bike...i'd rather go without than kid myself that this is a viable alternative.
Not all accidents are as serious as yours though. Some people manage to come off all by themselves at low speed and bang their heads. Anything that helps absorbs that impact is better than nothing.

anonymous-user

83 months

Tuesday 22nd November 2016
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Reminds me of the inflatable one I invented, inflated like a childs arm band or one of those neck pillows.

anonymous-user

83 months

Tuesday 22nd November 2016
quotequote all
SixPotBelly said:
pablo said:
Without proper testing and some approval against an industry standard I can see a huge court case heading their way when the first rider wearing one suffers a serious head injury.

I can still remember the look the doctor gave my Specialized Evade as he inspected it for damage whilst I lay in A&E.

The whole argument that it's useful for a Boris bike thing is nonsense, a car hitting you won't hurt less if you're on a Boris bike or a road bike, your head is still going to hit the floor and it will hurt. The driver that hit me was doing about 20mph approaching a roundabout, on his phone, not paying attention. The injury would be no less or more had I been on a Boris bike...i'd rather go without than kid myself that this is a viable alternative.
Not all accidents are as serious as yours though. Some people manage to come off all by themselves at low speed and bang their heads. Anything that helps absorbs that impact is better than nothing.
Just tell me I'm special, that's all I ask....

American iv

468 posts

225 months

Thursday 12th January 2017
quotequote all
pablo said:
Without proper testing and some approval against an industry standard I can see a huge court case heading their way when the first rider wearing one suffers a serious head injury.

I can still remember the look the doctor gave my Specialized Evade as he inspected it for damage whilst I lay in A&E.

The whole argument that it's useful for a Boris bike thing is nonsense, a car hitting you won't hurt less if you're on a Boris bike or a road bike, your head is still going to hit the floor and it will hurt. The driver that hit me was doing about 20mph approaching a roundabout, on his phone, not paying attention. The injury would be no less or more had I been on a Boris bike...i'd rather go without than kid myself that this is a viable alternative.
The assumption would be that the helmets would be tested against an industry standard and when proved OK they'd be useful for Boris bikes.

FYI, I came off my MTB a while back (well, somersaulted over a fence and landed flat on my back smacking my head into the concrete/gravel) - the back of the helmet was badly cracked but I got up and apart from a little stiffness rode away so I advocate using a helmet smile