Crashes, what can be done?

[CyclistAbi]

I feel like we've been here before...
What works in skiing will not necessarily work in cycling.

BS.

I feel that by now we established airbags work in verity of other sports and beyond. And that there is no specific issue on why airbags wouldn't work in pro peloton too. That is to substantially reduce the injuries resulting from crashes. So, if anybody still claims that is not a fact please provide reasoning for it and we can discuss that.

 

[SHAD0W93]

The three things you can count on in the forum; Pogenheimer, Roglistomp, and airbags.

 

[CyclistAbi]

@SHAD0W93

Yeah, hopefully airbags will be a part of pro peloton in Slovenian era already as we need to give something back. In the end it shouldn't be just about taking. We'll see.

 

[CyclistAbi]

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One thing I know for sure, my helmet saved my life. Thank you @girocycling 🙌
Wear a helmet, please 🙏

 

[RedheadDane]

Glad to see you're back to promoting actually useful protective gear.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Glad to see you're back to promoting actually useful protective gear.

Back then the opposition was stark.

 

[Cookster15]

Helmets are not airbags and downhill skiing is not cycling.

I still struggle to visualise what a peloton all wearing airbag protection would look like? Abi has posted pics here before of the uninflated vests. But to work I think they would need to be worn outside any jersey? Sponsor exposure?

And what about amateur racing? The cost of this technology has been discussed before and it is not insignificant.

Not saying it can’t work. Just saying there are questions that require answering. Like cost, practicality and sponsor exposure.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Helmets are not airbags and downhill skiing is not cycling.

That is all true but that doesn't mean both helmets and airbags are not suitable for pro peloton. For that you will need to be more explicit and say what is the difference preventing it. Plus is just not skiing, plethora of other sports and areas outside sport use them and have a good track record.

I still struggle to visualise what a peloton all wearing airbag protection would look like? Abi has posted pics here before of the uninflated vests. But to work I think they would need to be worn outside any jersey? Sponsor exposure?

You likely wouldn't even notice a difference, until before the crash that is.

And what about amateur racing? The cost of this technology has been discussed before and it is not insignificant.

It's too cheap to even consider this as an issue. On the contrary the pro peloton variants should IMHO cost a bit more, if they would go for around 500 people would refuse to buy them. A few times that value and they would sell like crazy.

Not saying it can’t work. Just saying there are questions that require answering. Like cost, practicality and sponsor exposure.

For sure there are always questions involved worth answering. What we know so far is factors like weight and cost are ridiculously low. Weight can stay down price should likely go up a bit, for the pro kit. As for painting over all that some nice colors, rest assured that can be done, or just wear them black, like pro, reduced weight due to scrubbing off color. If you are into that.

 

[Hugh Januss]

I feel like we've been here before...
What works in skiing will not necessarily work in cycling.

I don't think anyone is going to want to race in the equivalent of a rain jacket when it 38 degrees C.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

 

[RedheadDane]

I don't think anyone is going to want to race in the equivalent of a rain jacket when it 38 degrees C.

Exactly!

Now, I'll admit one thing; it could be great if some sort of technology that could protect riders' vital organs could be invented, to prevent another Bjorg Lambrecht situation.
However, since the technology would still have to be as light, breathy, and stretchy as a regular cycling jersey, I suppose it would have to be some sort of non-newtonian nano technology...

 

[Netserk]

You haven't gone over the same argument enough times to go from suicidal to blissed?

 

[Hugh Januss]

Exactly!

Now, I'll admit one thing; it could be great if some sort of technology that could protect riders' vital organs could be invented, to prevent another Bjorg Lambrecht situation.
However, since the technology would still have to be as light, breathy, and stretchy as a regular cycling jersey, I suppose it would have to be some sort of non-newtonian nano technology...

An instant gravity cancelling device?

 

[RedheadDane]

An instant gravity cancelling device?

No, something that would work like a non-newtonian fluid.

An instant gravity cancelling machine would be too impractical; riders floating all over the place...

 

[CyclistAbi]

I don't think anyone is going to want to race in the equivalent of a rain jacket when it 38 degrees C.

Exactly!

+1

We all agree on that and as it was already demonstrated in this thread we are way past that. But in terms of fandom perception that is still a good progress, i guess, mentioning rain jackets, as do you guys remember when it was all about medieval armour? Long way we come.

Now, I'll admit one thing; it could be great if some sort of technology that could protect riders' vital organs could be invented, to prevent another Bjorg Lambrecht situation. However, since the technology would still have to be as light, breathy, and stretchy as a regular cycling jersey, I suppose it would have to be some sort of non-newtonian nano technology...

Great to hear that and indeed lets bring such technology to pro peloton, being nano or some plain old good air.

Likely a bit too furry solution, for summer and besides PETA would likely never approve that, read protests.

 

[CyclistAbi]

https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/we-dont-have-much-to-protect-us-training-collision-with-motorist-rules-belgian-cyclocross-champion-marion-norbert-riberolle-out-of-three-races/

we cyclists don't have much to protect us

 

[CyclistAbi]

UCI considering use of “rider airbags” and gear restrictions to “enhance safety”

The governing body also revealed that 35 per cent of crashes during the 2024 season were caused by “unprovoked rider errors”, and confirmed that its new yellow card system and sprint finish protocols will also be expanded

road.cc

Guys lets not forget we are rather close now. A bit more pressure, pun intended, and some air will get pumped into pro road peloton, reducing the number of injuries and deaths. Both on training and whilst racing.

Cycling surely can't be the only sport in the world on where nothing can be done and it seems that, reading the discussion lately, now we all are more or less on the same page. Hopefully UCI will announce it for 2026 season already, for them to gradually start introducing airbag technology in pro road peloton starting in 2026 season.

 

[Izzyeviel]

This is great. & sadly, it's only going to get worse.

 

[Eagle_Alps]

This is great. & sadly, it's only going to get worse.

Yes great film by GCN.
Very, very sad how clueless Lappartient appears to be on this topic.
Trentin, however, is spot on about everything he says 👍

 

[Wyndbrook]

It really hits when you see the names on screen of the six riders killed in three seasons.
Monsieur president certainly did not fill me with confidence that as the person responsible he has the ability or perhaps even more importantly the desire to bring about real beneficial change.

 

[Red Rick]

I didn't watch but let me guess. At no point did he suggest riders should take fewer stupid risks or be penalized for dangerous behavior?

 

[Cookster15]

We should remember Lappartient’s background - not sports administration. But I don’t have confidence he will have any answers either. He talks like his former career not as a representative of the sport.

But it definitely seems like something has changed in the peloton in the last 10 years. There is an overriding imperative for teams to be represented at the front of the race. Throw in road obstacles and carnage is inevitable.

And as mentioned in the video some of these big crashes are on wide, well surfaced roads. But if 200 riders are jostling for a few positions at 60-70km/h trouble is inevitable.

So is Lappartient doing anything about lobbying government on road hazards? If these slow cars but are potentially deadly to professional cyclists then I think Mr Lappartient need to make sure those who design roads keep the safety needs of professional cycling in mind. Find another way to slow traffic and make clear those who design roads are aware of the recent big increase in crashes and injuries in the sport.

But I think RR makes a great point. Are teams and riders facing heavy penalties or fines for dangerous riding? If not, why not? There are these people at any cycling race called commissars.

 

[Red Rick]

We should remember Lappartient’s background - not sports administration. But I don’t have confidence he will have any answers either. He talks like his former career not as a representative of the sport.

But it definitely seems like something has changed in the peloton in the last 10 years. There is an overriding imperative for teams to be represented at the front of the race. Throw in road obstacles and carnage is inevitable.

And as mentioned in the video some of these big crashes are on wide, well surfaced roads. But if 200 riders are jostling for a few positions at 60-70km/h trouble is inevitable.

So is Lappartient doing anything about lobbying government on road hazards? If these slow cars but are potentially deadly to professional cyclists then I think Mr Lappartient need to make sure those who design roads keep the safety needs of professional cycling in mind. Find another way to slow traffic and make clear those who design roads are aware of the recent big increase in crashes and injuries in the sport.

But I think RR makes a great point. Are teams and riders facing heavy penalties or fines for dangerous riding? If not, why not? There are these people at any cycling race called commissars.

To me it's clearly just PR/politics. When a rider gets moderately injured but not critically so, you very often see these arguments that "it's his own fault" or whatever. But when a rider gets critically or fatally injured, it becomes an instant taboo to suggest so, so instead organisers will always get the blame for rider error.