I rode Volkswagen's ‘world’s safest e-bike’ at IFA 2026 — I love the glasses and radar, but the helmet looks a bit silly, doesn’t it?

At IFA 2026, Volkswagen unveiled a collaborative e-bike project with n+ that integrates advanced automotive safety technology into a personal transport device. The system comprises the bike itself, a specialized helmet, and augmented reality glasses. Key features include a rear-view camera, radar-based blind-spot detection, and a heads-up display (HUD) integrated into the glasses, which provides speed, navigation, and safety alerts without obstructing the rider's view. While the HUD is praised for being non-distracting and highly functional, the accompanying helmet—despite offering crash detection and integrated lighting—is criticized for its bulky, unconventional design and limited three-hour battery life. The bike aims to improve urban commuting safety by increasing rider visibility and situational awareness. While initial impressions of the riding experience and safety tech are positive, further testing is required to determine how the complete system performs against market competitors.