A fall while cycling is never inevitable, and against the obstacles and dangers of the city (cars, sidewalks), this airbag bag for cyclists seems to be an alternative for ultimate safety.
Source: M. Lauraux for Aroged
We told you about a bicycle airbag, the Hövding, but whose manufacturer went bankrupt. What is left for cyclists who want to protect themselves or try what already exists on a motorcycle? German cycling equipment specialist EVOC recently launched a different product, the Commute Air Pro 18 which we discovered at Cycling World in Germany.
A bag that retains its function despite the bicycle airbag
The principle of this bike bag is based on the integration of an airbag from Minerva, another company from the Munich region. The airbag does not only protect the neck: it also acts as a neck brace (hence the name), and is designed to protect against injuries to the rib cage and shoulders.
Source: M. Lauraux for Aroged
It only takes 0.2 seconds (200 ms) for the 98 mL CO2 cartridge pressurized to 200 bars to fill the inflatable bag. Unlike Hövding, the airbag does not replace wearing a helmet.
Flexible, the EVOC bag contains up to 18 liters of volume in addition to the space dedicated to the airbag. It has several compartments: a spacious central one, small pockets for various objects, a space for a laptop, another at the front for a U lock, and side pockets for a water bottle for example. Two bungees – reflective – allow you to carry a helmet, and an additional pocket is located at the waist.
Source: M. Lauraux for Aroged
A particular use, and a recharge to be monitored
Using the EVOC Commute Air Pro requires a few unconventional gestures, such as closing the buckle at torso level, an essential step to activate the system (indicated by a green light). It is also recommended to wear the Evoc bicycle airbag bag with the attachment at waist level to ensure optimal stability in the event of a fall. In addition, it is important to replace the left part of the buckle on the support after each use, to activate “parking” mode.
Another small inconvenience concerns the need to regularly recharge the bag to ensure proper deployment of the airbag. Due to the sensors and processing of bag position data, the battery life is limited to 32 hours. If you use the bag for an hour's daily commute to work, that means recharging it about every month and a half.
Source: M. Lauraux for Aroged
Source: M. Lauraux for Aroged
Source: M. Lauraux for Aroged
Source: EVOC
Source: EVOC
Source: EVOC
The tracking system is quite simple: the loop light changes from red to green when there is less than 4 hours of battery life remaining, then flashes while charging and turns off once the battery is fully charged. It is also possible to check the battery status and perform software updates via the Minerva app.
An expensive investment and a cartridge to change
However, you will have to be ready to invest, as the brand emphasizes, affirming that the cost is much lower than that of a lifetime (if we adopt this perspective…). With a price of 990 euros, the cycling backpack represents a significant investment, but its airbag can be reused several times, thanks to a CO2 cartridge recharging system.
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This recharging operation is only possible by returning the “Minerva Inflator” system to the company, at a cost of 100 euros. However, a reduction of 25 euros is offered in exchange for the used cartridge, covered by EVOC. It is important to ensure that neither the airbag nor the bag are damaged before charging.
In summary, this is a quality product, and currently the only bicycle airbag bag available on the market, given that the B'Safe vest is no longer for sale. We are waiting for news from the French company In&Motion Stan, which is still in the testing phase…