Volkswagen’s e-bike combines radar, glasses and a protective helmet

At IFA 2026, TechRadar rode Volkswagen and n+’s collaboration e-bike, a system designed to borrow safety technology from cars. Volkswagen describes it as the “world’s safest e-bike.”

The setup comes in three parts: the bike, the glasses and the helmet. Alongside pedal assistance and multiple lights, it includes an integrated rear-view camera, a radar sensor and dashboard display. The camera shows what is behind the rider and warns when a vehicle approaches in a blind spot.

The glasses display speed, a basic map, planned directions and blind-spot warnings on a see-through monocular screen in front of the right eye. At 47g, they are lightweight and offer eight-hour battery life. The display sits at the edge of the rider’s vision, and it simplifies to a VW logo when attention returns to the road.

The helmet provides built-in lights, crash detection and an IP67 dust- and waterproof rating. Its battery lasts three hours, less than the glasses’ eight hours. Its bulky, unusual design was the least convincing part of the system.

The compact IFA test track provided only a limited riding assessment, but the bike handled corners well and offered a positive first impression. A full review will be needed to judge how Volkswagen’s design compares with competing e-bikes.