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?

I recently had the opportunity to experience Volkswagen's latest e-bike innovation at the IFA 2026 tech show. This impressive model stands out as one of the safest e-bikes currently available, thanks to its integration of advanced technologies borrowed from automotive engineering. According to Volkswagen, this e-bike could very well be the "world's safest e-bike."

The bike comprises three main components: the actual bicycle, the accompanying glasses, and a helmet. In addition to standard e-bike assists and various lighting options, the standout features of this vehicle are an integrated rear-view camera and a dashboard display. The camera offers a clear view of the rider's blind spot, alerting them to any approaching vehicles through a radar sensor.

Crucial information such as speed, route details, and notifications regarding blind spots can all be monitored via the display and the monocular screen in the glasses.

The glasses themselves are lightweight at just 47 grams, providing an impressive eight-hour battery life. However, I found the helmet to be a bit bulky and unconventional-looking. While it offers protection and built-in lights, including white lights at the front and red ones at the back to increase visibility and signal braking or turning, it did not feel as comfortable as the regular helmet provided during the test ride.

During my test ride, safety was clearly the primary focus of this e-bike. Its ability to make riders more visible and provide early warnings of nearby vehicles were significant advantages. In the short test track provided at IFA, I was able to appreciate how well the bike handled corners and the short straights. The HUD in the glasses, which displays crucial information just at the edge of the rider's vision, proved to be a non-intrusive addition that didn't compromise the rider's ability to see turns or oncoming vehicles.