Cyclists are on the road often overlooked by drivers. Especially ride at night without reflective vest. But there are numerous ways to make them more visible on the wheel. Not all are meaningful.

Cycling is healthy, but it can also be dangerous. For a disadvantage increases the risk of accidents “. Cyclists go totally under they are so small compared to all the cars,” the students Achenbach and David say. That would change the two. But how does one cyclist bigger? Your solution: simply inflate.

Achenbach and Gebka study at the State Academy of Fine Arts (ABK) in Stuttgart Industrial Design. Last winter semester they received the task to design accessories around the wheel in a project. They had the idea to make cyclists more visible through additional volume – with a reflective jacket that inflates while driving.

“It was unusual very important,” said Achenbach. This created a zipper jacket called “Blow up”, when at the height of the hip two slots are integrated. Through it passes the airstream and bags the silk blouson tunic on. The driver then looks like a starfish on two wheels.

Air flows through the lateral slots, the accessory is suddenly extravagant.

“The tests were funny,” says Gebka. “People have turned downright by our driver.” The aim of the increased attention was thus achieved.

The Stuttgart students engage with their “Blow up” jacket, the security problem of cyclists with irony and humor on, but also the classic bike trade offers imaginative solutions – such as additional lighting on the wheel and reflective clothing.

So there are, among other things in the helmet integrated spotlights, phosphorescent everyday shoes, special tights or lamps that cast light symbols on the road.

But not everything is lit and flashing is automatically safe – some of it is not allowed in Germany.