Designing for Sustainability and Safety in Urban Micro-mobility: A Novel Helmet Concept

Abstract The past few years have witnessed a remarkable surge in urban mobility with the proliferation of micro-mobility sharing services. The advent of e-scooters and e-bikes has revolutionized the urban landscape across the globe. However, this transformation has also led to a worrisome increase in severe accidents associated with these new modes of transportation. The primary factors contributing to this trend are the inability of governments to swiftly adapt regulations to match evolving mobility trends and the unsuitability of traditional bicycle helmets for the spontaneous nature of micro-mobility. Moreover, in an era of resource scarcity and escalating global warming concerns, prioritizing sustainable development has become imperative for the modern economy. Unfortunately, conventional helmets significantly lack in terms of sustainability, not only due to their predominantly petroleum-derived materials but also because their manufacturing process combines the protective foam and outer shell, rendering them difficult to recycle or repurpose after disposal. This paper outlines the development of an innovative helmet concept designed for micro-mobility. The comprehensive research encompasses the design process, material selection, experimental testing, ergonomics, life cycle assessment, and design for manufacturing. The resulting helmet can be flattened to the size of a laptop, enabling convenient storage in a backpack. Additionally, it exhibits a 42% lower carbon footprint compared to standard helmets and can be fully disassembled and recycled. This novel helmet concept not only advances aesthetics and functionality but also meets three goals outlined by the UN 2030 agenda for sustainable development, making it a significant milestone for the helmet industry.