HELITE launches motorcycle airbag protective jackets in UK at Motorcycle Live 2012

Having invested in the research and development of airbags for the motorcycle industry over the past decade, HELITE is now set to launch the latest generation of its protective jackets for motorcyclists in the UK.

Mr Peter Riley, HELITE's UK representative explains, “Our airbags have earned great success in France and we are now ready to offer our expertise to more countries. The French market for motorcycle airbags is mature and airbag jackets are worn by many professionals, including the French police force. HELITE's innovative jacket stands out from the market due to the efficacy of the integrated airbag which inflates in case of an accident, highly increasing motorcyclists' safety.

HELITE will exhibit its range of airbag protective jackets on Stand 4 C06 at Motorcycle Live 2012, the trade show for the motorcycle industry. The trade fair will take place at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham (UK) from 24 November to 2 December 2012.

The latest generation of HELITE airbags protect in less than 100 milliseconds after activation, with a distinctive cocoon-like shape and optimal pressure to absorb the impact as best as possible.

The airbag system, which joins the motorcycle and mounted rider, works 100% mechanically, allowing for many advantages, including high reliability, no maintenance, as well as simple installation and easy usage. The jackets are also reusable after inflation and come in a range of styles: motorcyclists can choose from summer, winter, leather, long or bomber jackets with integrated airbag technology. As the jackets retail at prices equivalent to normal high-quality motorcycle jackets, the new HELITE collection is set to change the perception of higher protection amongst motorcyclists.

JW, a HELITE customer from London (UK), describes a motorcycle accident, “I looked down and noticed that my inflatable jacket had deployed as designed and I had minimal injuries. [My HELITE jacket] was worth every penny and I can't recommend it highly enough, it's just a pity my bike wasn't wearing one!”

All HELITE motorcycle jackets have been tested by leading European transport laboratories and the jackets exceed the new European standard for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), EN 1621-4. HELITE's jackets are also CE certified by France's Regional Centre for Innovation and Technology Transfer (CRITT), which has high airbag-certification standards.

In the UK, airbag technology for protection in the motorcycle industry is behind that of the equine market. There were 14 Olympic equine teams that competed in the London 2012 Olympic Games wearing HELITE airbag protection.

About HELITE

HELITE was founded in 2001 by Gérard Thevenot, a French pioneer and entrepreneur in the light-aircraft industry.

The company will launch its range of airbag protective jackets in the UK at the Motorcycle Live trade show, which will take place from 24 November to 2 December 2012 at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham (UK).

In the UK, HELITE's range of airbag jackets is distributed from the company's Leeds-based office, in northern England.

For further information about Motorcycle Live, please go to: http://www.motorcyclelive.co.uk/

For further information about HELITE and to consult the company's catalogue, please go to: http://www.helite-motorcycle-airbagjackets.co.uk/

For further information, please contact :
Quote ref. : FTPB3788
Ms Katherine WOODS – Press Officer
UBIFRANCE Press Office in London
Tel: +44 (0) 207 024 3640
katherine.woods@ubifrance.fr