Is it time for crash protection padding?

[Biciclaggio]

This year they crashed a lot.
I was just reading this (Belgian newspaper): http://www.nieuwsblad.be/sportwereld/cnt/DMF20140903_01248968?pid=4193262

Is it time for the UCI to consider mandating some safety padding?
The back of the shoulder and the hip are not covered by muscles.
Some padding there should reduce of a lot collarbone and hip fractures.

I am considering doing some crash FEA modeling myself at school.
Anyway, bare bone to the asphalt is bad.

 

[the delgados]

This year they crashed a lot.
I was just reading this (Belgian newspaper): http://www.nieuwsblad.be/sportwereld/cnt/DMF20140903_01248968?pid=4193262

Is it time for the UCI to consider mandating some safety padding?
The back of the shoulder and the hip are not covered by muscles.
Some padding there should reduce of a lot collarbone and hip fractures.

I am considering doing some crash FEA modeling myself at school.
Anyway, bare bone to the asphalt is bad.

I'm always amazed the length riders will go to crossing a line first, especially in sprints. I think padding would be great, but I wonder if the increased feeling of invincibility will lead to more crashes.
Seems to me more equipment leads to more injuries--see hockey, for example.

 

[Cramps]

This year they crashed a lot.
The back of the shoulder and the hip are not covered by muscles.
Some padding there should reduce of a lot collarbone and hip fractures.

Lucky so far in that I don't know what causes collarbone fractures. Is it impact to the bone, or some kind of unnatural leverage on the joint?

 

[RedheadDane]

Could they get the riders to accept it? Wasn't there quite a bit of protests against the mandatory-helmets-rule? Even though that was a matter of life or death. Of course now not only have the riders had time to get used to it, but helmets can actually aid the riders by being more aero-dynamic than someone's head and hair.
Padding - at least the way I see it - would mean a decrease in aero-dynamics and an increase in heat. Honestly; I think there are quite a few of the riders who'd rather risk a few broken bones, than being slowed Down by wind-resistance (however small the problem might be) or over-heating on those 40+ degree celcius days.

 

[Ryongsyong]

In the UK roundabouts (rotaries or whatever they're called in the US) are many times safer than traffic lights, despite on paper being more dangerous, but it's because of the obvious increased risk that people are more careful. Making riders feel safer will probably increase crashes and there's a danger than the small increase in protection will be superseded by the much higher increase in dangerous situations resulting in bad accidents an extra bit of padding simply won't protect.

If anything, trying to plan routes so riders don't have to do descents past crash barriers would be more helpful. Those things are just horrendous, with the exposed sharp metal legs. It's like riding by a load of swords stuck in the ground. I'd rather roll down some grass than get my leg (or worse) sliced by one of those things, and it's a miracle nothing bad's happened so far as they become more common on these supposedly secluded and quiet country roads they usually race on.

 

[Master50]

I know more than a few guys that wear 2 pair of shorts in a crit. 1 even sewed in a piece of dish soap bottle over the hips on his crit shorts.
Some wear MTB shorts but most just take the risk.

 

[avanti]

I know more than a few guys that wear 2 pair of shorts in a crit. 1 even sewed in a piece of dish soap bottle over the hips on his crit shorts.
Some wear MTB shorts but most just take the risk.

I assume one pair of shorts has no padding.

A doctor told me wearing a lightweight vest under ones jersey cuts down on road rash. So that is what I do almost every ride.

 

[Master50]

I assume one pair of shorts has no padding.

A doctor told me wearing a lightweight vest under ones jersey cuts down on road rash. So that is what I do almost every ride.

I too assume so.
I always wear a base layer for a friction breaker. Lycra lasts about 8 or 9 inches, maybe less.

 

[winkybiker]

I too assume so.
I always wear a base layer for a friction breaker. Lycra lasts about 8 or 9 inches, maybe less.

Skin grows back for free. Lycra costs $$. Less is more.