CALIFORNIA BICYCLE NEWS AND CYCLING SAFETY TIPS BLOG

Bicycle riding will be getting another technological update that can help the popular hobby become even safer. Software developers have created a smart-phone powered cockpit for bikes called “Cobi” – short for “connected bike”. Cobi uses a “hub” to connect to a cyclist’s smartphone, connected to the handlebars of the rider’s bike where it then handles a variety of tasks to help cyclists. The hub can charge a cyclists smartphone with a large built-in battery. Developers wanted to include a number of features that would enhance what the hobby of cycling is all about, so Cobi can run a number of apps via the smartphone. One feature includes a triggered light and sound alarm for anti-theft purposes. Cyclists can also use a scouting app that uses GPS to search for and set destinations, not unlike the GPS systems used by cars. In addition to anti-theft and directional applications, Cobi can…
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Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are one of the greatest risks cyclists face if they are unfortunate enough to be involved in a cycling accident. Inattentive drivers, poor weather, road debris and parked cars injure or kill cyclists every year. New technology developed to make bicycle helmets more effective may change the gruesome statistics and give cyclists a better chance to walk away unscathed. The Hövding airbag helmet can inflate within a tenth of a second to protect cyclists from suffering lifelong injuries. It is worn like a collar and remains deflated until the moment a cyclist is involved in an accident. By detecting abnormal movement associated with cycling accidents, the device can accurately predict when it needs to work to offer protection. To help cyclists figure out what happened leading up to their accident, the tech-savvy helmet also comes with a black box recorder embedded into the airbag. According to…
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