Thousand was founded in 2015 by Gloria Hwang in Los Angeles, California. The inspiration for the company came after Hwang lost a close friend in a fatal bicycle accident. Realizing that many riders avoided helmets because they were bulky and unattractive, she set out to create helmets that balanced safety, comfort, and modern design. 1

The company launched through a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign in May 2015. The campaign reached its funding goal within 24 hours, attracting thousands of early supporters and enabling the production of its first helmet collection. 2

The name “Thousand” represents the company’s goal of helping save 1,000 lives by encouraging more people to wear helmets. According to the company, the name serves as a daily reminder of its mission that a helmet can only provide protection if people actually choose to wear it. 3

Thousand’s mission is to make safety seamless by encouraging safer urban transportation through thoughtfully designed protective gear. The company believes that making helmets stylish, comfortable, and convenient helps increase helmet adoption, contributing to:

• Safer cycling and micromobility
• Healthier lifestyles
• More sustainable transportation
• Stronger local communities 4

Thousand specializes in protective equipment for urban mobility, including:

• Bicycle helmets
• Skateboard helmets
• E-bike and electric scooter helmets
• Children’s helmets (Thousand Jr.)
• Helmet accessories
• Replacement visors
• Lights and safety accessories 5

The company’s products emphasize:

• Minimalist design
• Lightweight construction
• Ventilation
• Adjustable fit systems
• Magnetic fasteners
• Integrated anti-theft features
• Multiple color options

Signature Features

Thousand helmets include several distinctive design elements:

PopLock
A built-in opening that allows riders to lock the helmet to a bicycle using a standard U-lock or chain lock.

Anti-Theft Guarantee
If a properly secured helmet is stolen while using the PopLock system, Thousand offers a replacement under its guarantee.

Accident Replacement Policy
The company provides a lifetime crash replacement program for helmets damaged while protecting riders during an accident. 6

Depending on the market and model, Thousand helmets meet recognized safety certifications including:

• CPSC (United States)
• ASTM F1492 (skate helmets)
• CE EN1078 (Europe)

These certifications verify compliance with established impact protection standards for cycling and skating helmets. 7

Unlike many traditional sports helmet manufacturers, Thousand focuses on a lifestyle-oriented design language inspired by:

• Vintage motorcycle helmets
• Scandinavian minimalism
• Modern urban fashion
• Everyday commuter needs

The company aims to integrate protective gear into daily wardrobes rather than treating helmets solely as sports equipment. 8

Thousand incorporates sustainability into its operations through initiatives such as:

• Carbon offset programs
• Environmentally conscious packaging
• Donations through environmental partnerships
• Long-term sustainability commitments
• Climate-positive initiatives in certain markets

The company states that it invests in projects intended to offset more than its annual operational carbon emissions. 9

Thousand identifies several core values that guide its business:

• Sustainability
• Diversity
• Community
• Impact
• Integrity

The company also operates as a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC), meaning it is legally structured to consider social and environmental objectives alongside financial performance. 10

Location: Los Angeles, California, United States

Address: 2651 East 12th Street, Unit 520, Los Angeles, California 90023, USA. 11

Thousand primarily serves:

• Urban commuters
• Recreational cyclists
• E-bike riders
• Electric scooter riders
• Skateboarders
• Families
• Design-conscious consumers seeking stylish safety gear

The brand has established itself as a premium urban helmet manufacturer, often highlighted for blending industrial design with practical safety features. Its products are commonly used by city commuters and are sold through its direct-to-consumer website as well as retail partners in multiple countries. 12

• 2015: Company founded; Kickstarter campaign launched and funded.
• 2016: First helmet shipments; expansion to retail stores and international markets; Anti-Theft Guarantee introduced.
• 2017–2020: Growth of sustainability initiatives, charitable giving, and company expansion.
• 2021: Became a Public Benefit Corporation and launched the Thousand Jr. collection.
• 2025: Celebrated its 10-year anniversary while continuing its mission of promoting safe, stylish urban mobility.

1. About | Thousand®
2. Timeline | Thousand®
3. About Us | Thousand®
4. Our Story | Thousand – Wholesale-Thousand
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7. About Us | Thousand®
8. Acerca de | Thousand
9. Our Story | Thousand®
10. Über uns | Thousand®
11. The Thousand Story – Explore Thousand
12. Our Mission | Thousand – Wholesale-Thousand