Developed since the 1960s, the airbag is a passive safety system included in cars. In the event of a collision, these bags placed in various parts of a vehicle (dashboard, pillars, steering wheel) inflate in record time to cushion impacts and serve as a cushion between the occupant and the vehicle structure, reducing the risk of injuries.

The technology of the airbag, since the beginning of its development, has contributed to revolutionizing the way we perceive road safety. Given its interest, the technology is now used more extensively. It has notably been adapted in the field of motorized two-wheelers, to equip motorcycle and scooter users. What are the differences between these fields, and what are the specific risks for motorcyclists?

In a car, the airbag is integrated into the cabin elements and deploys upon impact to protect the driver and passengers. In the case of motorcyclists, the automotive airbag system was taken as inspiration and readapted to the needs of motorcycle practice.

Motorcycle racing has notably helped improve motorcycle airbag technologies, these safety elements having become established over the years on the tracks. Incorporated into the riders' suits, they allow competitors to have optimized protection during trials and races. On a daily basis, airbag vests are found in motorcycle schools, but also as equipment for motorized law enforcement.

Besides certain cases of motorcycles featuring airbag elements, the system intended for motorcyclists is generally found in an external vest, to be worn over a blouson or a homologated motorcycle jacket. Other airbag devices for motorcyclists are worn under the motorcycle blouson, or are included in a dedicated motorcycle jacket, in a 2-in-1 format. These equipment models worn directly by the motorcyclist thus offer optimized body protection.

CUTTING-EDGE OPERATION FOR MOTORCYCLIST SAFETY

As devices designed to offer an optimal protection area in case of collision or fall, the motorcycle airbag vests embed specific technical elements that make them effective. 

The activation speed of motorcycle airbags is a key element of their effectiveness. All motorcycle airbag vests have, so to speak, an identical physical operation: following the trigger, the gas contained in a cartridge is released into a bag that inflates in a few milliseconds. This inflation time can vary slightly depending on the bag's volume to be filled and the size of the vest, in particular.

By inflating in record time, the airbag creates a protective layer between the motorcyclist and the obstacle or the ground. This helps absorb part of the impact and reduce the risk of serious injuries.

Additionally, the airbags remain inflated for several seconds after deployment, offering prolonged protection while limiting the risk of worsening any potential injuries.

In terms of comfort, motorcycle airbag vests are designed to be worn over or under a motorcycle jacket, depending on the model, and are generally adjustable to fit different body sizes and shapes. They are designed to be both lightweight and flexible, so as not to hinder the rider's freedom of movement. 

This lightness and flexibility do not compromise safety. On the contrary, they allow for a more effective distribution of impact energy, and the protection area represented by the airbag deployment is designed to cover vital and sensitive areas such as the chest, back, and neck.

Motorcycle airbags are therefore cutting-edge safety devices. They offer enhanced safety for the rider thanks to the rapid deployment and extended protection area, while remaining comfortable, designed to be flexible and lightweight. Airbag vests represent a major advancement in rider protection, helping to save lives and reduce the severity of injuries on roads worldwide.

PIONEERING MODELS: FROM SENSOR AIRBAG VEST TO WIRED MOTORCYCLE AIRBAG VEST

With the clear goal of offering enhanced protection solutions for riders, BERING has always been a pioneer in technological innovations. In the mid-2000s, the brand invested in technologies dedicated to individual airbags for motorcycles.

After several years of research and development, the Protect Air system was launched in 2010. It consists of an airbag vest worn by the rider, associated with an electronic control unit connected by radio waves with two sensors placed on the motorcycle. As soon as the motorcycle starts moving, the elements of the Protect Air system communicate with each other for optimal situation assessment.

The detection of a slide or impact situation is performed in 0.03 seconds by the sensors, and the vest inflates in 0.05 seconds, for a total detection and deployment time of 0.08 seconds until full inflation.

This device requires prior installation of the sensors on the motorcycle, and BERING subsequently developed evolutions of the system to simplify its use.

Continuing the path of innovation while aiming to make the technology accessible to as many people as possible, BERING then proposed a new model of airbag vest, equipped this time with a wired trigger to offer an even simpler solution for riders.

Launched in 2017, the C-Protect Air is an SRA 2-star labeled motorcycle airbag vest, operating with a cable trigger. Its device consists of an elastic strap connected to both the vest and the vehicle's attachment strap. In case of ejection or fall of the rider, the tension of the strap triggers the inflation: the airbag deploys in approximately 0.1 seconds. The integrated back protector completes the protection of vital areas covered by the inflated airbag: the chest, abdomen, and back, from the cervical spine to the coccyx.

This wired motorcycle airbag technology allows for an extremely fast inflation speed while allowing for practical and discreet use thanks to the softshell material of the vest. It guarantees comfort and flexibility when using the C-Protect Air, an airbag vest designed for both male and female motorcyclists thanks to its adjustability.

To offer ever more efficient individual protection solutions for motorcycles, innovation remains at the heart of the work of the research and development teams of BERING dedicated to airbag technologies.