The episode in detail
CosmoConnected: making cyclists visible in the city
CosmoConnected makes a connected brake light for cyclists, e-scooter users and other soft-mobility users. Founded in 2015 by Romain Afflelou and Frédéric Medj, the startup starts from a simple observation: cars are getting taller, particularly with SUVs, and vulnerable road users are becoming less and less visible. The flagship product is a smart rear light that attaches to a helmet, a saddle or a backpack. It automatically detects braking and signals direction changes, adding a layer of communication between the cyclist and the vehicles behind them. Pierre Lagrange, the brand’s social media manager, explains the company’s vision in this episode of the Vélotaf podcast.
From student bike commuting in Rennes to bike commuting in Paris
Pierre has been cycling to work for 14 years. He started in Rennes during his studies, without even weighing it up: the bike was faster, cheaper, freer. The human-scale Breton city can be crossed in three quarters of an hour at most. Moving to Paris changed nothing about the habit. He first used Vélib’ between the 16th and 10th arrondissements, then switched to a personal bike, an old vintage Peugeot he restores piece by piece.
“The bike, for me, is even something I love to fuss over. Repairing it, improving it. Only the frame is original.”
Pierre sees bike commuting as a way of life as much as a way of getting around. He points to the freedom regained compared with the metro, the disappearance of stress linked to public transport, and the chance to rediscover his city through varied routes. He knows Paris better than many Parisians who have been taking the metro for 20 years.
Bike commuting in Paris vs Rennes: two different realities
Comparing the two cities reveals major differences. Rennes has a largely pedestrianised city centre, with place de la République completely closed to cars. Vélostar, the local equivalent of Vélib’, caught on immediately. Traffic there is naturally calmer.
“In Paris, it’s war, let’s not kid ourselves. Horns blare, people overtake however they like.”
Paris calls for more assertive riding, with its wide, three-lane Haussmann-style boulevards where cars can travel at 70 km/h. Pierre identifies this real danger as the main barrier to bike commuting in Paris. The electrically assisted bike partly offsets the problem: it allows riders to maintain an average speed high enough to avoid the pressure of motor vehicles behind them.
The debate over wearing a cycling helmet
CosmoConnected sells a product that attaches to a helmet, but Pierre refuses to settle the debate categorically. Studies show contradictory effects. A helmet undeniably protects in the event of a fall. Pierre experienced this directly: his helmet hit a post in Paris in his place.
“There’s a study on overtaking distance: the car left less distance when the cyclist was wearing a helmet than when they weren’t.”
A helmeted cyclist seems less vulnerable in the eyes of drivers, who then take fewer precautions. Cyclists themselves can adopt riskier behaviour when they feel protected. These biases exist, even if they don’t affect every rider. Pierre notes that the question plays out differently for e-scooters, where a fall throws the head forward directly with no cushioning at all. He finds it surprising that helmets aren’t compulsory there. The CosmoConnected light adapts to every case: it can attach to the saddle, a backpack or a harness, regardless of whether a helmet is worn.
Promoting bike commuting through cost and comfort
For Pierre, two arguments remain under-used in promoting bike commuting. The first is economic: getting around by bike costs less than by car or public transport. In a society where not everyone earns a comfortable living, this argument speaks to everyone.
“The hardship of cycling is still too much of a factor. People tell themselves it’s not as comfortable as a car. Actually, you can adapt the bike to how you ride and to your comfort.”
The second argument is comfort. Fear of rain or heat puts off many potential riders. Pierre points out that in Belgium, it only rains 7% of the year, and in Paris, even less. Getting properly equipped doesn’t cost a fortune. Bike commuting can become an enjoyable experience once you adapt your gear to your needs. Pierre also mentions the environmental angle, while rejecting greenwashing: even a VAE (vélo à assistance électrique, an electrically assisted bike) fits into a responsible approach, despite the unresolved question of battery treatment. He regrets that the bike is sometimes co-opted politically, when it should simply be part of a daily routine, like sorting waste.
