Helmet adapted to new forms of mobility: providing effective protection in the era of high urban speeds

New forms of mobility have profoundly transformed the way we get around cities. Electric bikes, speed pedelecs, electric scooters, and skateboards are now part of everyday life. While these modes of transport offer greater freedom and fluidity, they also bring with them an often underestimated reality: the speeds we travel today are nothing like those of the past .

In this context, choosing a helmet adapted to new forms of mobility becomes a central element of safety, just like behavior or infrastructure.

New forms of mobility: some figures to understand the challenges

Recent road safety data provides a clear framework:

• Cyclists and users of motorized personal mobility devices account for approximately 1 in 5 serious injuries in urban areas;
  
• The share of electric bikes is increasing rapidly, particularly for commuting;
  
• An electric bike can typically travel between 25 and 30 km/h , and up to 45 km/h for a speed pedelec .
  
  

These speeds, reached quickly and often in dense environments, completely change the nature of impacts in the event of a fall. A helmet adapted to new modes of transportation must therefore be designed for these new constraints , and not for the urban cycling of twenty years ago.

Why speed makes all the difference when it comes to protection

As speed increases, the energy released during an impact increases exponentially.
In practical terms, a fall at 35 or 45 km/h does not generate the same constraints at all as a fall at 15 km/h.

However, the majority of so-called "standard" helmets are historically designed to:

• moderate speeds,
  
• primarily linear impacts,
  
• a classic cycling practice.
  
  

A helmet adapted to new forms of mobility must, on the contrary, incorporate:

• more violent shocks,
  
• frequent oblique impacts,
  
• increased exposure of the face and jaw.
  
  

Standard helmet vs. helmet designed for new speeds

This is where the difference becomes crucial.
A helmet truly adapted to new mobilities is designed and tested to withstand impacts at much higher speeds , sometimes up to 45 km/h , where many traditional helmets quickly reach their limits.

The Virgo Move full-face helmet fits precisely into this logic : it was designed to accompany the evolution of fast urban uses, particularly on electric bikes and speed pedelecs , by offering a level of protection consistent with these speeds.

Without being a motorcycle helmet, nor extreme equipment, it positions itself as a response to the reality of the road today.

Why full-face helmets are becoming relevant in urban environments

Accident studies show that during a fall in the city:

• The body is often projected forward.
  
• The impacts frequently affect the lower part of the face.
  
• The jaw, chin and the entire face are exposed areas.
  
  

A full-face helmet adapted to new modes of transportation provides additional protection in these areas, while maintaining:

• a controlled weight,
  
• sufficient ventilation
  
• comfort compatible with everyday use.
  
  

The Virgo Move full-face helmet was designed with this in mind: to protect where impacts are actually observed , without resorting to restrictive or oversized equipment.

Materials and design intended to absorb energy

A high-performance headset is not based on a single element, but on a coherent whole:

• an abrasion-resistant outer shell,
  
• an internal foam capable of efficiently absorbing energy,
  
• a continuous structure between the shell and the chin guard on full-face models.
  
  

This architecture allows for better distribution of forces during a high-speed impact, a key point for any helmet adapted to new rapid mobilities .

And what about oblique impacts in urban environments?

In the city, perfectly vertical falls are rare. Curbs, rails, obstacles, changes of direction: impacts are often oblique.
This is why some helmets incorporate systems designed to limit the rotational forces transmitted to the brain.

Here again, this approach is in line with the philosophy of a helmet adapted to new mobilities , designed for real and not theoretical scenarios.

Comfort: a safety criterion in its own right

An effective helmet is first and foremost a helmet that is worn. At high speeds, stability, ventilation, and fit become essential.

A well-designed urban full-face helmet should allow for:

• good air circulation,
  
• a stable speed of 30, 40 or 45 km/h,
  
• prolonged wear without discomfort.
  
  

This is precisely what allows a helmet adapted to new forms of mobility to integrate naturally into everyday journeys.

Visibility and coexistence with other users

Whether riding an electric bike or a scooter, the speed sometimes makes the behavior similar to that of a motorized two-wheeler. Being seen then becomes just as important as protecting yourself.

Some helmets, like the Virgo full-face helmet, incorporate elements designed to improve visibility in dense urban environments, a point often overlooked but essential in accident prevention.

In conclusion: protection commensurate with the new speeds

New forms of mobility are no longer slow. They are fast, efficient, and integrated into everyday life.
Faced with this reality, a helmet adapted to new forms of mobility is no longer an option, but a necessity.

A helmet capable of effectively protecting up to 45 km/h , offering extensive coverage and comfort compatible with urban use, meets current challenges much better than a standard helmet designed for older practices.

The Virgo full-face helmet illustrates this evolution: protection designed for new speeds, new uses and the concrete reality of today's city.
Because when practices evolve, protection must evolve at the same pace .