In its full-fledged form, the
no-car city reduces pollution and enhances urban sustainability while making commuting safer for pedestrians and cyclists (not to mention the rising ranks of
kick scooter-ers). Few bikers or walkers are likely to pack up and relocate to IKEA’s idyllic, car-free
Strand East suburb just yet, but these emergent, tech-enabled tools for improved street safety may provide some temporary consolation.
EarHero: Cautious pedestrians and cyclists are typically hesitant to plug in earbuds when navigating high-traffic areas—and with
good reason. While blasting tunes can make walking or riding more fun, it also drowns out ambient noise, decreasing individuals’ awareness and putting them at greater risk. New
EarHero earbuds present an elegant solution to this commuters’ conundrum. Dubbed “the world’s safest earpiece,” EarHero’s tiny speakers fit into the ear canal without blocking its entire width. This allows street noises to filter in while music is playing. But just as ambient sounds trickle in, music can likewise trickle out—so wearers should be wary when indulging in guilty pleasures.
D-air Street: The mythical allure of the motorcycle has long been connected to its danger factor. In reality, the unsexy stats show that motorcycle riders are
37 times more likely than car drivers or passengers to die in a crash. Hoping to cut back on injuries and fatalities, the makers of protective gear at Italian company
Dainese recently created
D-air Street, an integrated system of on-person airbags (think inflatable moto-jacket). The system connects a rider’s gear to his or her bike, using sensors that detect impact to inflate the driver’s jacket at the moment of a crash. This
impressively sensitive technology can reduce body impact by as much as 92%.
GLOBARS: Bicycle culture is steadily on the uptick, particularly in hip urban centers, and it’s easy enough to see why: bikes are
green, their riders are
stylish, and brands are increasingly anticipating
cyclists’ unique needs. Industrial design student
Mitchell Silvia recently invented a simple add-on that simultaneously enhances a bike’s safety and cool:
GLOBARS. These handlebar lights feature LED bulbs in plastic tubing. Unlike reflectors, which become visible only in flashes of external light, GLOBARS use a watch battery to create their own glow—meaning riders are visible at all times.
Raver-cyclists might consider pairing GLOBARS with designer
Natalie Walsh’s
reflective disco ball helmet to flash-ify their every ride.
