STORY: What primarily threatens the health of motorcyclists in the event of an accident is the lack of a crumple zone. Collisions or falls often result in fractures or serious bruises. After airbag vests, inflatable motorcycle pants are now also supposed to reduce the risk of injury. “The airbag jean is deployed via a rope that’s connected to the bike, the other end is on the jean. When the body is separated from the bike, that activates the airbag. It works like a dead man’s switch. With a pull force of about 40 kilograms, the airbag is deployed.” The jeans inflate around the thighs and buttocks, returning to normal size a few seconds after impact. The feeling is similar to that of a tight hug, according to the designer, who had to test the pants himself after an accident. Athletes could also soon benefit from the technology, such as mountaineers or base jumpers.