AIRBAG TECHNOLOGY TO PROTECT MOTORCYCLISTS

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

Since its development, airbag technology has helped revolutionise the way we think about safety on the road. In view of its benefits, the technology is now being used more widely. In particular, it has been adapted for use on motorbikes and scooters. What are the differences between these areas, and what are the risks specific to motorbikes?

In a car, the airbag is integrated into the passenger compartment and deploys on impact to protect the driver and passengers. In the case of motorcyclists, the car airbag system has been inspired by and adapted to the needs of motorcycling.

Motorbike racing in particular has led to improvements in motorbike airbag technology, with these safety features becoming increasingly popular over the years. Incorporated into riders' racing suits, they provide competitors with optimum protection during trials and races. On a day-to-day basis, airbag vests can be found in motorbike schools, as well as in the equipment of motorised police forces.

Apart from some motorbikes with airbag elements, the system for motorcyclists is generally found in an external vest, to be worn over an approved motorbike jacket. Other airbags for motorcyclists are worn under the motorbike jacket, or are included in a dedicated motorbike jacket, in a 2-in-1 format. These types of equipment, worn directly by the biker, offer optimum body protection.

As devices designed to offer optimum protection in the event of a collision or fall, motorbike airbags incorporate specific technical features that make them effective.

The speed of activation of motorbike airbags is a key factor in their effectiveness. All motorbike airbags work in virtually the same way: when triggered, the gas contained in a cartridge is released into a bag which inflates in a few milliseconds. This inflation time may vary slightly depending on the capacity of the bag to be filled and the size of the vest.

By inflating in record time, the airbag creates a protective layer between the rider and the obstacle or ground. This absorbs part of the impact and reduces the risk of serious injury.

In addition, the airbags remain inflated for several seconds after triggering, offering extended protection while limiting the risk of aggravating any injuries.

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

Such lightness and flexibility by no means compromise safety. On the contrary, they allow impact energy to be distributed more effectively, and the area of protection represented by the airbag deployment is designed to cover vital and sensitive areas such as the thorax, back and neck.

Motorbike airbags are state-of-the-art safety devices. They offer enhanced safety for motorcyclists thanks to their rapid deployment and extended protection area, while remaining comfortable and designed to be flexible and lightweight. Airbags represent a major advance in motorcyclist protection, helping to save lives and reduce the severity of injuries on the world's roads.

With the clear aim of offering enhanced protection solutions for motorcyclists, BERING has always been a forerunner in technological innovation. In the mid-2000s, the brand invested in technologies dedicated to individual motorbike airbags.

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, combined with an electronic control unit connected by radio waves with two sensors placed on the motorbike. As soon as the motorbike starts moving, the Protect Air system components communicate with each other to take optimum account of the situation.

The sensors detect a slip or impact situation in 0.03 seconds, and the vest inflates in 0.05 seconds, giving a total detection and activation time of 0.08 seconds until the vest is fully inflated.

As this system requires the sensors to be installed on the motorbike beforehand, BERING has subsequently developed new versions of the system to simplify its use.

Continuing along the path of innovation and with the aim of making technology accessible to as many people as possible, BERING then proposed a new model of airbag vest, this time equipped with a wired release to offer an even simpler solution for motorcyclists.

Launched in 2017, the C-Protect Air is a motorbike airbag vest with 2-star SRA certification, operating with a cable trigger. The device consists of an elastic strap connected both to the vest and to the vehicle's attachment strap. If the rider ejects or falls, the tension in the strap triggers inflation: the airbag deploys in around 0.1 seconds. The integrated backrest completes the protection of the vital areas covered by the inflated airbag: the thorax, abdomen and back, from the cervicals to the coccyx.

This wired motorbike airbag technology is extremely fast to inflate, yet practical and discreet to use, thanks to the softshell fabric of the vest. The softshell material guarantees comfort and flexibility when using the C-Protect Air, an airbag designed for both male and female motorcyclists thanks to its adjustable fit.

To offer ever more effective personal protection solutions for motorbikes, innovation remains at the heart of the work of BERING's research and development teams dedicated to airbag technologies.

The continuous evolution of protection technologies has enabled BERING to develop E-Protect Air technology, embodied by an autonomous and connected approved motorbike airbag vest, for increased effectiveness.

Combined with the ReFLEX subscription or the InFINITY service purchase, which are required to use the vest, the E-Protect Air is a real asset for motorcyclists looking for protection, with its 4-star SRA label.

Specifically designed for road use, the E-Protect Air motorbike airbag vest can be worn over a motorbike jacket. This choice of design allows for extensive compatibility, and the fact that the vest is external offers considerable coverage of the vital areas to be protected when triggered.

Based on an algorithm developed by BERING's R&D teams, E-Protect Air studies the movement parameters of the vehicle in real time in order to trigger the airbag and protect the rider at the right moment.

To make it easier to use and maintain the airbag vest, the connected device works with a dedicated mobile application, available from Apple Store and Play Store. The E-PROTECTAIR application is an easy-to-use interface for activating, managing and checking the status of the autonomous airbag vest.

The E-Calling service managed by an approved organisation, the IMA, is also available via the app (subject to eligibility). If the airbag is triggered, the IMA is informed and geolocates your position to set up an assistance procedure.

The on-board technology of the E-Protect Air motorbike airbag vest offers optimum protection for all motorcyclists, without the need for a cable or sensors attached to the motorbike: these are integrated into the vest to ensure that the airbag is triggered efficiently and inflates very quickly. Thanks to its two batteries, the airbag has a long operating life, so there's no need to recharge it every day.

Suitable for everyday use as well as road trips, the vest has been designed to make life easier for motorcyclists, while offering safety and efficiency. Practical and comfortable, the E-Protect Air airbag vest lets you take to the road with peace of mind, thanks to the reinforced protection provided by the vest.

Safety, comfort and style are among BERING's objectives when designing motorbike equipment for men and women. Innovation is also at the heart of product development, with the aim of offering motorbike jackets and trousers as well as accessories, gloves and footwear that are ever more effective.

This expertise, dedicated to technological innovation, has taken the form of the E-Protect Air motorbike airbag vest, which is autonomous and connected for even greater protection and comfort when riding.

In February 2024, BERING's constant innovation and expertise were rewarded at the Trophées de la Moto. During this professional event, the E-Protect Air airbag vest was voted equipment of the year. The award, which recognises the vest's cutting-edge technology as well as its style and comfort, is a tribute to the work of BERING's teams.

True to its values of protection and innovation, BERING meets the needs and expectations of motorcyclists around the world by pushing back the boundaries of technology and design.

Motorbike airbags devices represent a significant technological advance in road safety. Worn in addition to approved protective equipment, they combine comfort, discretion and effectiveness to offer motorcyclists optimum protection in the event of a collision or fall.

This airbag system, which deploys in a matter of milliseconds, can greatly reduce the risk of bodily injury and even save lives. The motorbike airbag vest, representing innovation and protection, is an investment that can be of interest to all motorcyclists, riders and passengers alike.