A material that has been used since ancient times to produce cloth forms the basis of the latest design of cycle helmet.
Archaeological examples of dyed flax fibres have been dated at 30,000, but for the first time in history, linseed oil resin derived from flax has been used to make protective headgear.
James Dart developed the Duo Lin cycle helmet while studying three-dimensional design at Brighton University.
The design swaps the polystyrene construction of a traditional helmet for a bio-resin foam core interior and knitted flax woven outer shell, doing away almost entirely with the need for plastic.
Unusual cycle helmets from around the world
Pulp
No word on how much protection it offers, but a new design of low-cost, recyclable, bicycle helmet manufactured from waste paper pulp is an imaginative use for the discarded newspapers that litter the London transport network.
Under the proposal, newspapers would be blended with water to create a pulp. No bleaching or adhesive is added during the production process, although an organic additive ensures the helmets remain water resistant for up to 6 hours in rain.
The creators of the pulp helmet, Bobby Petersen,Tom Gottelier and Edward Thomas intend the design to be dispensed alongside Boris Bike docking stations, used for short periods of time and then disposed of. The helmet and strap are fully recyclable and can be re-pulped into a new helmet without any degradation of the material.
Cardboard
The arrival of the paper pulp helmet follows the development of a cardboard cycle helmet which is claimed to be stronger and more durable than those based on a polystyrene construction.
Anirudha Surabhi developed the lightweight and waterproof Kranium cardboard cycle helmet following a tumble from his bike.
His original concept was inspired by the physiology of the woodpecker. The bird has a corrugated cartilage structure separating beak and skull, which allows its head to withstand repeated knocks. Surabhi used the same principle to develop a honeycomb cardboard structure called Dual Density Honeycomb Board.
The resulting cycle helmet is stronger than the commonly-used polystyrene and plastic construction and able to withstand multiple shocks. Conventional cycle helmets need to be thrown away if they sustain a blow. The design boasts a see-through shell that reveals the honeycomb cardboard structure beneath. Whether or not you are a fan of protective headgear, there’s no denying this is an interesting and fine-looking cycle helmet.
Airbag
With the number of urban cyclists on the increase and winter fast approaching, what better time to consider the Hövding – a winter jacket with an airbag helmet built into the waterproof collar?
In the event of a crash, a motion sensor activates a small canister of helium, which inflates the airbag in one tenth of a second – the same amount of time it takes the human eye to blink. The airbag has been fully tested (see film below) and is intended to keep the fashion conscious happy, warm and at least as well-protected as those wearing a conventional cycling helmet.
Halloween
If you decide to wear a helmet when you commute into town or pop to the shops, why must it look like something Bradley Wiggins would don to win the Tour de France? Cyclists frustrated by run-of-the-mill headgear and seeking something a little more ostentatious can can head to custom helmet and mask maker smirkmasks.com.
Use your head – protect your bike
Cycle insurance from the ETA includes new-for-old, cover for accidental damage, third party insurance, personal accident cover and, if you breakdown, we will even come out and recover you and your bike. We covers electric bicycles up to 250W, too. From 40p per week.
Gord
Looks like you’ve out done Archimedes and his crappy little Antikythera mechanism here by a few thousand years.
So wearing a helmet will save you from the more likely occurrence of severing a main artiary if your stupid enough to ride your bike like a lunatic….This sort of topic is more likely to dissuade people from joining the ETA.