Did You Know 50% of Bike Fatalities Happen at Night?
And when you consider that most people are riding during the day, you realize that it’s not just a simple 50/50 split. Even with all the bike reflectors in the world, you’re just simply not as visible as you would be during the day.
And now that winter is finally here, our days are getting shorter and shorter. That means less visibility and a higher likelihood of accidents. Most days, I don’t leave the office until around 5:30. In this part of the world, it’s pitch black by then. I knew I needed to find a way to keep myself as visible and as safe as possible. (Because if a car didn’t kill me, my wife might.)
When I came across a raving review on Cycling News for a helmet with integrated 500+ lumen lights, brake lights, and turn signals… I knew I had my answer. A regular helmet could save my life, but a “smart helmet” with 360° of light visibility could keep me from testing it.
UNIT 1’s FARO Smart Helmet raised over $1M in crowdfunding in less than a year, and it already had some big hype behind it in Forbes, Discerning Cyclist, and Cycling News, of course. I thought it was an incredible idea, and wondered why I hadn’t heard of it before. I decided to do some research.
UNIT 1: The Team Redefining Riders’ Safety After Hours
UNIT 1 was born out of the realization that bikes are getting faster (and more electric) at the same time that drivers are becoming more distracted. Based on the number of people I see glued to their phones in the car, I have to agree.
Mountable bike lights are great for when the sun goes down, but the issue is that they shine below a driver’s line of sight. The FARO Smart Helmet was designed to put a light footprint where drivers are actually looking. After countless iterations, UNIT 1 landed on FARO—and won iF Design and Red Dot Design awards to boot.
FARO seems to be getting so much attention because it’s revolutionizing road safety by preventing crashes before they happen. But it also looks like something I’d want to wear—sleek, chic, and low-profile. Let’s get into the specs:
The FARO Smart Helmet, Explained
The FARO Helmet is $209.90, and you can add a Navigation Remote for $39.90 that clips to your handlebars and enables the turn signals and automatic brake lights. It comes in three sizes and four colors: Maverick (blue), Stingray (gray), Blackbird (black), and Juniper (green).
FARO features an ABS hard shell, a magnetic buckle on the chinstrap, the MIPS safety system, and 5-vents of ventilation alongside the front and rear lights. There’s a panel of mesh on the back I thought was a speaker at first, but turns out it’s just a way to cleverly (and aesthetically) conceal even more lights you can customize via the app. (I was starting to get why FARO costs $200+. It’s like an iPhone for your head.)
Despite the high price, I quickly realized that this thing was beyond worth it, especially during these winter months when natural light is hard to come by. I got one and haven’t looked back since. And here’s why:
1. FARO Passes the #1 Rule of the Road: Be Seen.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. In this new world of e-bikes, electric scooters, and distraction-by-cell-phone at every turn, staying visible to the 4,000-pound vehicles we share the road with is more important than ever. With the power of 500+ lumens and FARO’s 360° of visibility, you can. Even in the dead of winter.
I’ve gone through my fair share of bike lights, but I love how FARO gives me the chance to raise my light footprint higher. If there’s one thing that immediately stands out about the helmet, it’s that the lights are bright. Like don’t look at them directly bright. It’s just what I’m looking for when I’m cycling.
2. FARO Might As Well Have a 5-Star Safety Rating
Not only does FARO work to prevent crashes before they happen, but it will notify a pre-designated emergency contact in the event an accident does occur. Staying safe in an ever-distracted world requires a few investments, but it’s hard to put a price on peace of mind.
And, of course, it’s loaded with the leading industry standards in actual crash protection… like the ABS plastic shell that can survive small bumps better than helmets made from polycarbonate, or the MIPS safety system that uses rotational absorption to significantly reduce the risk of concussion. FARO addresses safety from three angles—prevention, protection, and detection. It’s like UNIT 1 thought of every conceivable way to keep us safe on the road, then designed it into this helmet.
3. Last But Not Least, FARO Looks Great
I’ll be the first to admit that no matter how safe something is, I’ll be reluctant to wear it if I don’t like the way it looks. Call me shallow all you want, I know most people feel the same way. But with FARO, that’s not a problem: I can rock a stylish, modern look without getting rocked by a car. It’s a win-win.
A lot of the “safety first” accessories out there are clunky, clumsy, or just plain ugly. But FARO bridges the gap, making this thing feel like the helmet of the future. FARO keeps me safe while out riding, and keeps me looking good at the same time (which is not something I’m typically used to.)
I remember in high school kids used to leave their helmets at home because they wanted to look “badass.” Know what’s not badass? Getting gravely injured. Man, if only we had these helmets back then…
Now I’m Safe, Visible, and Protected During My Winter Riding.
Now I just need UNIT 1 to get cracking on a new helmet that can keep my whole body heated as well as protected. I’m just getting less and less tolerant of the cold with age, what can I say?
In all seriousness, this FARO Smart Helmet is the real deal. I could not be more pleased with my purchase. I’ve been on countless rides now with friends where everybody wants to know what I’m wearing and where I got it (so it’s a nice conversation starter, too.) Whether you’re a city commuter or a backroad cruiser, this is the ultimate accessory for riding high-tech, safe, and visible.
And during this time of year when it feels like we’ll never see the sun again, that’s no small thing. Head to UNIT 1’s website and try FARO out for yourself. $209.90 sure beats thousands in medical expenses.