Crashes, what can be done?

[Samu Cuenca]

But not for long. Riders are generally back on their hometrainers rather quickly.
Besides, it's all about prioritising. Let's focus on the serious injuries first, then we can start looking at collarbones.

Sure, but minor injuries and illnesses keep riders away from riding and/or achieving peak conditions for season targets every year. If somehting could be done to limit those, that would be welcomed, too.

Of course fatal accidents like Lambrecht's should be avoided at all costs. So should situations like the one in Turkey where roadworks nearly took out the peloton.

 

[RedheadDane]

Sure, but minor injuries and illnesses keep riders away from riding and/or achieving peak conditions for season targets every year. If somehting could be done to limit those, that would be welcomed, too.

But the question is how? Like I've said; anything that could prevent collarbones breaking is also likely to severely impact the movement of the riders. Demanding that all riders have metal plates operated onto their collarbones might be a bit much...

 

[Samu Cuenca]

But the question is how? Like I've said; anything that could prevent collarbones breaking is also likely to severely impact the movement of the riders. Demanding that all riders have metal plates operated onto their collarbones might be a bit much...

I don't know what happened to the DSM protective kits, but I assume they didn't really work too well. Still they might be devolped into something that could be useable.

 

[RedheadDane]

I son't know what happened to the DSM protective kits, but I assume they didn't really work too well. Still they might be devolped into something that could be useable.

Aren't those mostly to prevent road rash?

 

[Netserk]

Of course fatal accidents like Lambrecht's should be avoided at all costs

BanProCycling

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Aren't those mostly to prevent road rash?

Yes. Presumably the UCI would have to make clothing that would actually be preventing broken bones compulsory, otherwise teams wouldn't use them due to weight issues. And they might not eb able to work at all IRL.

BanProCycling

I'm specifically talking about accidents where concrete culverts or other potentially dangerous, unnatural objects are are left unprotected at the road sides during a race. It will of course be impossible to keep every fatal accident from happening.

 

[RedheadDane]

Yes. Presumably the UCI would have to make clothing that would actually be preventing broken bones compulsory, otherwise teams wouldn't use them due to weight issues. And they might not eb able to work at all IRL.

And that exactly my point! It's not weight that would be the issue, it's the fact that I just can't see how anything could prevent collarbones from breaking could do so without locking riders' shoulders into place, so to speak.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

And that exactly my point! It's not weight that would be the issue, it's the fact that I just can't see how anything could prevent collarbones from breaking could do so without locking riders' shoulders into place, so to speak.

Shoulder pads wouldn't necessarily lock them completely, but of course they could still lead to more crashes happening whcih wouldn't be ideal, even if they kept more riders unhurt.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Yes. The driver should have good vision of where exactly the riders are, and fetching bottles by a passenger would only take a little error for the driver to mess it up.

Trek seemed to have no problem with driving to the left of Balsamo and having someone on the passenger side tell her that she was disqualified. Maybe if the bottle pass had been on that side it would have been quicker...

 

[CyclistAbi]

https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/morning-rain-made-the-roads-of-istanbul-too-slippery-for-racing/

Yes. This is how it should be done. If necessary for the right decision to be made on the day of the event.

 

[CyclistAbi]

@RedheadDane

In my opinion it's inevitable and hence give it a bit of time and we will all get to see on how collarbone related injuries will get reduced in the peloton. I doubt the solutions will be heavy or will affect mobility. Likely somewhere in the range of wearing a helmet. Or less. Basically a non issue.

P.S. Would be nice to have some stats too. For us to be able to discuss in numbers and not in some more ambiguous form. The biggest problems for gathering such statistics ATM is likely the fear. As having the numbers in plain sight. Some likely worry it would make pro cycling look bad.

 

[RedheadDane]

@RedheadDane

In my opinion it's inevitable and hence give it a bit of time and we will all get to see on how collarbone related injuries will get reduced in the peloton. I doubt the solutions will be heavy or will affect mobility. Likely somewhere in the range of wearing a helmet. Or less. Basically a non issue.

Have you seen how much riders move their shoulders when riding?

 

[CyclistAbi]

Have you seen how much riders move their shoulders when riding?

Collarbones are in my opinion rather static and as such highly suitable for apparel that prevents injuries caused by a direct blow.

P.S. I expect more issues when dealing with joints like knee or elbow. But nothing that couldn't be overcome.

 

[RedheadDane]

Collarbones are in my opinion rather static and as such highly suitable for apparel that prevents injuries caused by a direct blow.

P.S. I expect more issues when dealing with joints like knee or elbow. But nothing that couldn't be overcome.

How can you say riders keep their shoulders/collarbones static?
They bend down to get more aero.
Reach around to get in their pockets.
Make random stretches.
Sure, the collarbones themselves might not move much, but this protective apparel you're talking about needs to be attached somehow.

 

[CyclistAbi]

@RedheadDane

We are getting in too much details. It's up for the apparel manufacturers to resolve this issues. As in the end they will get paid for it. In general and in regards to collarbones. I don't see any unsolvable issues. Plenty of ways and areas to attach something and to not restrict movement by doing that.

 

[RedheadDane]

@RedheadDane

We are getting in too much details. It's up for the apparel manufacturers to resolve this issues. As in the end they will get paid for it. In general and in regards to collarbones. I don't see any unsolvable issues. Plenty of ways and areas to attach something and to not restrict movement by doing that.

Do you really think riders will accept any kind of needless restrictions of their movement? And anything that can prevent collarbones from breaking will restrict movement.

It was hard enough to get the riders to accept wearing helmets, and that's life-saving!

 

[CyclistAbi]

@RedheadDane

Yes.

 

[RedheadDane]

@RedheadDane

Yes.

You think the riders will just be "Sure, we'll be fine with having our movement restricted to prevent a type of injury that's basically not that severe."?

There have been times when I wished I didn't generally ride with a backpack, because of how it restricts my movement. Think of how much more important proper movement is for the pros.

 

[CyclistAbi]

You think the riders will just be "Sure ...

We could ask Primož.

 

[RedheadDane]

We could ask Primož.

I doubt he'd want to be the only one - or one of a very few - wearing it.

And that's the thing. Sure, you could invent some sort of protective apparel, but getting the riders to actually wear it would be a different matter. The only way that could be done is if UCI made it mandatory, and don't you think UCI should focus on important stuff?
Not that they do, they're busy meassuring socks, but just imagine if they actually did.

 

[CyclistAbi]

I agree that an organization like UCI likely doesn't want to gather injury stats as likely they are afraid it would make cycling look bad. And likely there would be much more pressure to actually do something about it. Beyond as you say some silly measures with no real effect in regards to safety.

In the end they are likely just lazy and need some encouragement.

 

[RedheadDane]

And likely there would be much more pressure to actually do something about it. Beyond as you say some silly measures with no real effect in regards to safety.

So, your solution is another silly measure?
Did you watch Ronde de Mouscron Tuesday? I was shocked those barriers were allowed!

 

[F_Cance]

any news on vader?

 

[RedheadDane]

any news on vader?

Nothing since the news that he was stable.
But thanks for the reminder that those "over the guardrail" crashes are something that needs to be looked into. Guardrails just aren't designed to prevent cyclists from going over them.

 

[CyclistAbi]

@RedheadDane

I said first i want the stats. Without that we are fishing in the muddy water. Then for apparel manufacturers to respond. Due to pressure and uncomfort such stats would introduce. As general public currently isn't prepared to accept the ugly truth. That is the situation is much worse then believed.

After all that to look for measurable difference in stats. To claim something meaningful was done or wasn't done.

At minimum what will happen after is in some areas there will be results. Nothing can be done.