Every parent knows the drill: cereal spilled, backpack half-zipped, helmet nowhere to be found. The morning ride turns into a morning meltdown.
SPARKY, the kids’ smart helmet from UNIT 1, aims to turn that chaos into a ritual. Designed to make safety fun, SPARKY doesn’t just check the protection box. It’s built to get kids out the door smiling.
“If gearing up is a fight every morning, families default to the car,” says UNIT 1 co-founder Francisco Abelleira. “We wanted a helmet that kids beg to wear.”
Not Just Cute, Certified Safe
Helmet safety standards set testing and performance requirements for bicycle helmets. Depending on the country or market, meeting a particular standard may be required before a helmet can be legally sold or marketed for cycling
Behind the colorful animations and tap-controlled lights, SPARKY is serious about protection. It meets CPSC 1203 and EN 1078 helmet safety standards in the U.S. and Europe.
Its integrated RGB rear light offers seven colors and 45 lighting combinations, controlled through simple tap gestures. No phone or app needed. Kids can choose their favorite colors and animations, while parents get the reassurance of an additional rear visibility feature during rides.
The rechargeable light offers up to 25 hours of battery life, depending on the lighting mode and brightness settings.
SPARKY also integrates a Safety ID through a built-in NFC tag, allowing parents to store important information such as emergency contacts and medical details. If the helmet is lost or there’s an emergency, someone with a compatible smartphone can tap the built-in NFC tag to access the information provided by the parents, without downloading an app.
“It’s one of those features you hope you never need,” says Abelleira, “but it’s the first thing you’ll want in a real-world moment.”
The Helmet Habit That Builds Biking Habits
Riding or walking to school was once a common part of childhood for many families. Today, school commutes often look different, with more children traveling by car.
Active transportation gives children opportunities to move more throughout the day, develop independence, and build confidence navigating their surroundings.
But first? They need to wear the helmet.
SPARKY reframes safety as play, making that “no helmet, no ride” moment feel less like a rule and more like a ritual.
With colourful lights, playful animations, and customisable silicone inserts, children get to make their helmet feel like their own. And when they enjoy wearing it, getting ready for the next ride can become a little easier.
Designed to Be Worn, Not Argued About
A helmet can have impressive features, but if children don’t want to wear it, those features won’t make much difference to their everyday routine.
That’s why SPARKY combines certified protection with playful design, easy fastening, and an adjustable fit.
| FEATURE | WHAT KIDS SEE | WHAT PARENTS GET |
RGB rear light | Seven colors and playful animations they can change with a tap | Additional rear visibility, without needing a phone or app |
| Swappable silicone inserts | Fun shapes and colors to personalise their helmet | A way for kids to make the helmet their own |
| Adjustable fit system | A helmet that feels comfortable as they grow | A customisable fit for head sizes between 49-53 cm |
| FIDLOCK magnetic buckle and soft straps | An easier way to fasten their helmet | Simple fastening designed to reduce pinching |
| NFC Safety ID | A smart feature built into their helmet | Emergency and contact information accessible with a compatible smartphone |
Designed for children approximately 3 to 9 years old, SPARKY fits head circumferences from 49 to 53 cm. Since every child grows differently, measuring head circumference is the best way to check the fit.
The helmet weighs 390 g, features six fixed vents, and has an IPX5 water-resistance rating. Its rechargeable rear light comes with a USB-C charging cable.
Leading by Example
Every parent learns this: kids rarely do what you say. But they’ll almost always do what you do. That’s why SPARKY isn’t just about gearing up children. It’s about modeling the habit ourselves.
“My daughter says hi when she walks into a room, not because I told her to, but because she sees me do it,” says Abelleira. “That’s how behavior gets built. Not with rules. With example.”
Whether it’s fastening your own helmet, hopping on a bike, or making safety part of the everyday routine, parents help shape the habits their children develop.
SPARKY makes it easier to bring children into that routine, giving them a helmet they can personalize, enjoy, and feel excited to wear.
