Safety doesn’t often go hand-in-hand with stylish and sleek; however, Manhattan couple Sujene Kong and Christian Von Heifner want to make safety trendy and fashionable with FEND, a collapsible bike helmet geared towards the urban commuter. FEND folds down to one-third of its original size for effortless convenience and space efficiency. According to their Kickstarter, just “fold, stash, and store in your bag until you need it again!”
The idea was first conceived when Kong and Heifner were riding their bikes to brunch and Heifner was hit by a car. Although helmets are a public safety guideline, the accident was a wake-up call for the couple—they realized most people don’t sport helmets because they are often bulky, hot, and difficult to carry around.
Kong and Heifner have over 20 years of product development and design experience combined, in both industrial design and retail merchandising. By putting their heads together, the two rapidly came up with the idea of FEND, something they “would actually want to wear.”
The basis of the design is rooted in style as well as safety. FEND exceeds both US and European bicycle safety standards and includes an impact-resistant ribbed shell. Its joint system enables the helmet to fold down, and when it needs to be worn, it can simply be opened and clicked into place. Available in two sizes, FEND also includes adjustable chin straps that keep it securely in place on the wearer’s head.
The crowdfunding for FEND was launched in early October with plans for the first products to arrive in Spring of 2017. To learn more about FEND and pre-order your own trendy, foldable bike helmet, visit their website.
FEND: Website | Kickstarter | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
via [Laughing Squid]
All images via FEND.