by New safety technologies for bicycles from Volkswagen
Modern cars can monitor blind spots, track traffic, flash warning lights, and even call for help after an accident. Now Volkswagen wants your bicycle to do almost the same.
Working with premium e-bike manufacturer n+, Volkswagen has introduced a new line of licensed electric bicycles packed with technologies usually associated with passenger cars. Instead of chasing larger batteries or more power, the focus here is on increasing cyclists’ awareness of their surroundings and helping drivers better understand what cyclists intend to do.
Smart View system and automotive technologies
The main feature is the Smart View system. It combines a rear camera with radar sensors that track approaching traffic. A display built into the handlebars lets cyclists see what is happening behind them without looking back, while radar alerts warn when vehicles are approaching from the rear.
This technology is borrowed directly from the automotive world, where radar and camera surround-view systems are becoming increasingly common. Implementing similar functionality on an e-bike makes a lot of sense, especially in crowded urban environments where cyclists and motorists constantly share limited space.
Daytime running lights for bicycles
Volkswagen and n+ have also equipped the bike with its own version of automotive lighting. A full-length LED strip integrated into the frame serves as a daytime running light. More importantly, it changes its behavior based on the cyclist’s actions. When braking, the light turns red. When turning, it flashes yellow to indicate direction. The goal is to give other road users clearer visual cues about the cyclist’s intentions before they begin a maneuver.
Smart helmet and glasses
Safety is not limited to the bike itself. A connected helmet syncs with the lighting system and has its own lighting elements. It is also equipped with collision detection technology capable of alerting emergency contacts in the event of an accident.
Along with the helmet, a set of smart glasses is offered. Working together with the bike’s camera and radar systems, they project navigation prompts, traffic alerts, and ride information directly into the cyclist’s field of view. It is reported that the technology was developed by engineers with experience creating helmet-mounted displays for military pilots.
Some cycling purists may not want a fighter-jet-inspired digital ecosystem, just as fewer and fewer passionate drivers prefer cars with manual transmissions. But cycling on the road is a dangerous endeavor, and anything that increases cyclist safety should be beneficial.
This Volkswagen initiative is a logical extension of the trend toward integrating automotive safety technologies into other modes of transport. While such innovations may seem excessive to experienced cyclists, they have enormous potential for reducing accidents, especially among novices or in heavy urban traffic. The combination of passive (helmet) and active (radar, camera, light signaling) safety measures creates a comprehensive approach to protection that was previously only available to car drivers. This could become a new standard for premium e-bikes, pushing the entire industry toward adopting similar solutions.
