Road accidents are a major cause of death in India. Official records from 2024 show that over 180,000 people died in road accidents. Nearly 30,000 of them were riding two-wheelers. India also reports the highest number of road accident deaths globally, accounting for 11% of the total worldwide, as per World Bank Report.
The data shows that most of the lives lost were young. People between 18 and 34 years old accounted for 66% of the fatalities. This includes students, working professionals, and others at the start of their adult lives. What is even harder to accept is that nearly 10,000 school children died, many of them near schools where basic traffic safety measures are often missing.
These numbers bring rider safety into focus. Two-wheelers remain a popular and practical mode of transport in India. At the same time, they expose riders to direct risks, especially in traffic conditions that are often unpredictable.
Protective Gear Is Evolving with Practical Solutions
Helmets and basic protective clothing are common among riders. But newer forms of protection have been developed that work differently. Wearable airbag vests, for example, deploy in the event of a fall, protecting vital areas like the chest, neck, and spinal cord. The design of such gear reduces injury before the rider hits the ground.
Some of these systems work without electronics. A mechanical tether connects the rider to the vehicle. If the rider is separated from the two-wheeler, the airbag inflates automatically. There is no need for batteries, charging, or software updates. After deployment, a CO₂ cartridge is replaced, and the vest can be used again.
This kind of system suits Indian road conditions, where simplicity and dependability are more useful than complicated technology.
Tailored Gear for Indian Riders and Indian Seasons
Many safety products sold in India are designed for international markets like Europe and France, which may not always account for Indian road and usage conditions. These products work well in places where roads, traffic behaviour, and riding conditions differ from India. Riders here face rough roads, mixed traffic, extreme weather, and longer daily commutes.Gear developed and produced in India takes these factors into consideration. Materials, fittings, and functional mechanisms are adapted for regular, everyday use. Certification from global agencies confirms performance, but the product itself is built with the Indian rider in mind.
Simplicity Encourages Wider Use
Complex gear often limits its own use. If a product requires charging, maintenance, or software updates, it can discourage regular use, especially for daily commuters or occasional riders.
Mechanical airbag vests avoid these problems. There are no batteries or softwares involved. The system is reset by replacing a small cartridge, making it ready for use again. This keeps the product straightforward to use and maintain. Cost also remains within reach for a wider group of riders, which is necessary given the number of two-wheelers on Indian roads.
Confidence Comes from Practical Protection
Two-wheeler riders often share the road with larger vehicles, uneven surfaces, and traffic that does not always follow rules. Confidence to ride in such conditions comes from preparation. Protective gear that works reliably adds to that preparation.
Riders on long journeys, those commuting in traffic, and even those riding for leisure, benefit from safety systems that activate when needed without relying on complex setups.
Safety Involves More Than Gear Alone
While gear makes a difference, other factors must work alongside it. Traffic arrangements around schools, public awareness, and rider education influence safety outcomes. When these are combined with protective gear, the risk to riders reduces further.
Some manufacturers now include medical identification kits and basic insurance coverage with protective products. These additions support riders beyond the ride, offering practical steps in the event of an accident.
Two-wheeler fatalities remain high. Protection will depend on practical, easy-to-use products designed for Indian conditions. Mechanical airbag vests now available in the Indian market show that safety features can be made accessible without adding complexity.
As awareness improves and protective gear becomes part of standard riding habits, fatality rates can reduce. The road risks for two-wheeler riders will continue, but the means to manage those risks are now available. It comes down to using them effectively and making safety a priority for both individuals and communities.
Rajat Bhandari is Managing Director of Neo Kavach
