Flux takes you to the heart of a silent revolution that saves lives on two wheels: the motorcycle airbag. Forget superfluous gadgets, because this discreet but highly effective technology has been redefining motorcycling safety for several years now.
For the moment, fashion brand VEST PARIS, which specializes in your everyday safety, has not yet ventured into the Airbag market, but it is showing increasing interest.
For this article, our journalist tested all the airbag versions presented to you. You'll learn all about this technology, a safety feature that the most cautious among you will no longer be able to ignore.
Motorcycle airbags, the revolution that saves lives
"Asphalt is our playground, freedom our driving force. But the road, however exhilarating, is not without its dangers.
Faced with this reality, which inspired the creation of the VEST PARIS brand, the motorcycle airbag appears as a cutting-edge technological response, an invisible shield ready to deploy in a fraction of a second to protect your most precious asset: your life.
From car airbags to motorcycle airbags
The idea of a protective air cushion is not new. It first conquered the automotive industry, becoming an unavoidable safety standard. But transposing this technology to the world of motorcycles represented a major challenge. How could an effective detection and deployment system be integrated into an environment as dynamic and constrained as that of a motorcycle?
The first attempts date back to the 1990s, with concepts of varying degrees of success. However, it was only in the early 2000s that viable solutions began to emerge, driven by the miniaturization of electronic components and the development of sophisticated detection algorithms. Visionary pioneers realized that protection of the torso, abdomen and spine - often the most vulnerable areas in a motorcycle accident - could be significantly improved by rapid airbag deployment.
How does a motorcycle airbag work?
The operation of a motorcycle airbag is based on a complex synergy of sensors, an intelligent algorithm and a rapid inflation system. Although there are different technological approaches, the basic principle remains the same. FLUX tells you all about it:
He detects the accident with an electronic eye
Sensors, integrated into either the vest itself or the motorcycle, constantly monitor movements and forces. These sensors can be accelerometers, gyroscopes or GPS/inertial systems. The on-board algorithm analyzes the collected data in real time. If it detects an abnormal situation, an imminent accident or an accident in progress (fall, collision), it triggers the inflation process.
It inflates in a fraction of a second
Once the accident has been detected, the algorithm activates a compressed gas cartridge (often argon or nitrogen) or a pyrotechnic system. This gas is released in a fraction of a second (usually between 25 and 60 milliseconds) into the air cushion. The speed of deployment is crucial to ensure that the airbag is fully inflated before the pilot's body hits an obstacle.
It absorbs energy
The inflated airbag acts like a shock-absorbing cushion, absorbing a significant proportion of the kinetic energy generated on impact. It distributes forces over a larger surface area of the body, reducing the risk of serious injury to the thorax, abdomen and spine.
After impact, the airbag gradually deflates, allowing freedom of movement and potentially facilitating evacuation.
The different types of motorcycle airbags
The motorcycle airbag market has seen the emergence of different configurations, each with its own advantages and specific features. We've tested all 3:
Autonomous airbags: total freedom
These systems are integrated into a vest that the biker wears over his or her usual motorcycle jacket. They are totally autonomous, with their own sensors and triggering system. The main advantage is their versatility: they can be worn with any compatible jacket, or even on their own.
Integrated airbag vests: discreet but restrictive
Here, the airbag system is integrated directly into the design of the motorcycle jacket. This offers a sleeker design and more seamless integration of protection. However, the vest or jacket generally cannot be used without its airbag system. So it's a bit of a constraint.
Hybrid systems: the best of both worlds?
Some brands offer systems where an airbag vest can be zipped inside a compatible jacket. This combines the advantages of aesthetic integration with flexibility of use.
Intelligence at the heart of the system
The reliability of a motorcycle airbag depends largely on the sophistication of its detection system. Two main approaches coexist:
Wired systems (with mechanical release)
These systems, among the first to be developed, use a cable connecting the vest to the motorcycle. If the rider is ejected from the motorcycle, the cable stretches and disconnects, mechanically triggering airbag inflation. Although simple and reliable, they require the rider to be ejected from the motorcycle to activate.
Electronic (stand-alone) systems
These increasingly widespread systems use electronic sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes) integrated into the vest. They analyze the rider's movements in real time and detect a fall or abnormal collision situation, even if the rider remains close to the motorcycle. These systems offer greater reactivity and can be triggered in a wider variety of accident scenarios. Some more advanced systems even incorporate predictive algorithms based on artificial intelligence to anticipate an accident.
The main market players
Several brands have embarked on the development and marketing of motorcycle airbags, each with their own technologies and approaches. The list presented by FLUX is not exhaustive, and new players are regularly appearing on this fast-growing market:
Alpinestars (Tech-Air): A pioneer in the field, Alpinestars offers electronic systems integrated into its jackets and suits, as well as self-contained vests. Their Tech-Air technology is renowned for its reliability and sophistication.
Dainese (D-air): Another major player, Dainese also offers integrated, stand-alone electronic systems, with strong expertise in protective motorcycle clothing.
Held (eVest Clip-in Technology): Held offers a self-contained airbag vest that can be integrated into some of their compatible jackets.
Klim (Ai-1 Airbag Vest): Klim has also entered the market with a self-contained electronic airbag vest.
Furygan (Fury Airbag System): The French brand offers self-contained airbag vests and systems compatible with some of their jackets.
Ixon (IX-Airbag U03): Ixon also offers a universal, self-contained airbag vest.
A wide price range
The price of a motorcycle airbag system varies considerably according to type (stand-alone vest or integrated jacket) and technology (wired or electronic). Stand-alone electronic airbag vests generally range in price from 400 to 800 euros, or even more for the most sophisticated models. Vests with integrated airbags can cost from 600 to 1500 euros or more.
Although the airbag market is growing steadily, it remains marginal in relation to the overall motorcycle equipment market. Some countries are further ahead than others.
Europe, queen of the world market
Europe, with its often stricter road safety regulations and strong motorcycle culture, is currently the most important market. France and Italy, in particular, are showing growing interest in these protective devices. Germany and the UK are also following this trend.
In the U.S. and other parts of the world, the market is still developing, but interest is growing as the technology becomes more widespread and motorcyclists realize the safety benefits.
When airbags invite themselves into other worlds
The proven effectiveness of the motorcycle airbag naturally led us to explore its potential in other high-risk activities.
In the world of horse riding, for example, airbag vests have been developed to protect riders in the unfortunate event of a fall. These systems detect the sudden separation of rider and horse, inflating instantly to protect the thorax, abdomen and spine.
In skiing, where high-speed falls can cause serious injury, airbag jackets are beginning to emerge, designed to deploy in the event of sudden loss of balance or violent impact with the ground or an obstacle.
There are also applications in cycling, particularly in mountain biking and cyclocross, where the risk of falling is higher.
Even more surprisingly, the airbag concept has even found its way to the elderly, with belts or wearable devices designed to inflate in the event of a fall, cushioning the impact on the hips and reducing the risk of fractures.
VEST PARIS projects
At VEST PARIS, you know that the safety of our users is an absolute priority. While our expertise focuses on active and discreet safety solutions, we fully recognize the potential of the motorcycle airbag as an essential complement to traditional personal protective equipment (PPE).
The integration of airbag technologies into our future ranges is an avenue we're carefully exploring, in order to offer our customers ever more comprehensive and innovative protection, without ever sacrificing the style and comfort that are the signature of the VEST PARIS brand.