# Hood-Like Helmets The Cyclist Protector Concept is Stylish, Flexible and Comfortable By Meghan Young | Published 2012-05-03 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cyclist-protector-concept References: [designbuzz](http://www.designbuzz.com/innovative-protector-concept-reimagines-road-safety-cyclists.html) Bicycle safety can often be overlooked for the sake of both style and comfort, but the Cyclist Protector Concept hopes to bridge the gap between the three by introducing a flexible alternative to the traditional helmet design. Created for the [Seoul Cycle Design Competition](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/camping-house), the Cyclist Protector Concept is a [hybrid between a helmet and vest](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aerobag-system). Designed by Jakab Barna in collaboration with Andras Oravecz, the Cyclist Protector Concept is made out of an easy-to-produce material called the Non Newtonian Gel. This material gives the 'helmet' its soft flexibility, effectively turning it into more of a hood than a hard piece of headgear. When impacted, this substance turns into a protective solid. As a whole, it is also very visible, alerting motorists that a cyclist is on the road. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.5/10 - Popularity: 65% | Activity: 62% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Flexible Helmet Designs:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore the use of flexible materials like Non Newtonian Gel to create helmets that are comfortable, stylish, and provide proper protection. - **Hybrid Helmet-vest Designs:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Combine helmet and vest functionalities to create innovative safety gear that offers enhanced visibility and impact protection. - **Visible Safety Accessories:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop highly visible accessories for cyclists, such as hood-like helmets, that alert motorists to their presence on the road. ### Where This Applies - **Cycling Industry:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Introduce new helmet designs and safety accessories to the cycling market, catering to consumers' demand for style, comfort, and safety. - **Sportswear Industry:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Collaborate with sportswear brands to create innovative helmet-vest designs that provide both style and protection, appealing to fashion-conscious athletes. - **Safety Gear Manufacturing Industry:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Invest in research and development to produce flexible helmet materials like Non Newtonian Gel, capturing a niche market of safety-conscious cyclists. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Inflatable Accordion-Style Helmets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ventete-ah1.md) - [Origami-Style Cyclist Helmets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/raba-helmet.md) - [Interchangeable Component Sport Helmets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/customizable-helmet.md) - [Ergonomic Urbanite Bike Helmets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lumos-nyxel.md) - [Helmet-Secured Bike Prototypes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/on-board-helmet.md) - [Foldable Air Helmets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-ventete-ah1.md) - [Collapsible Space-Saving Cyclist Helmets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flipclip-go-helmet.md) - [Foldable Light-Integrated Bike Helmets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fend-super-bike-helmet.md) - [Oceanic Recycled Helmets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shellmet-helmet.md)