The best rule the UCI hasn't made

News of the Aerobag wearable airbag reaching the pro circuit got us thinking about rider safety. We’ve seen airbags for cyclists before, such as the Hövding Airbag Helmet, and here in Soigneur’s hometown of Rotorua a local teen has won a major prize for developing an inflatable crash-activated neck brace for mountain bikers.

Rider safety is obviously a hot topic for cyclists.  We can’t think of another sport with the same kinds of regular major injuries that pro cyclists face. A conversation we had a few years back with Wyn Masters (one of the world's top downhill mountain bikers in his prime) comes to mind – “you guys are nuts, doing 100kph down concrete roads wearing just lycra on those skinny little tyres”. Touché. 

As well as the obvious physical trauma, these injuries can be career-ending and often not the fault of those hurt.

So who is at fault? Rider error aside, the irony is how the UCI, who like to talk up their concern for rider safety, so often shoots itself in the foot.  Banning ‘puppy paws’ was accepted by the peloton as the position clearly reduced rider control, but the supertuck ban was widely ridiculed.  Recent proposals to reduce speed such as gearing restrictions make a mockery of the UCI every time they allow a sprint finish on a route festooned with road furniture, hairpin turns and narrow roads.

The ban on narrow handlebars is similarly mocked. In a sport where equipment fit is crucial, the UCI is now penalising riders with narrow shoulders. The UCI sock height rules are based on rider physique (position on calf muscle), so there’s no reason why acceptable handlebar widths can’t be based on each rider’s shoulder width.

But we think the riders themselves also need to act. The mountain biking scene has developed a myriad of extremely comfortable, almost invisible padding systems such as gels that harden on impact. If you’re about to ride a wet Roubaix, slipping on some knee and collarbone pads could save your career. But to date we’re never seen road cyclists do anything like this.

Perhaps the issue lies with polyester jerseys. Polyester jerseys are 30% less breathable than merino wool, so this may explain why riders wearing polyester still ride dangerously and eschew safety padding – because being overly hot and uncomfortable has long been proven to reduce cognitive skills and increase errors (maybe the UCI offices need better air conditioning?).

So we have the answer to improve rider safety – ban polyester jerseys and make all riders wear merino wool jerseys! They’ll be more comfortable and thus make better decisions.

It might take a while for the UCI to rule on this one, so we suggest a grassroots response by ensuring as many everyday riders like you and I wear merino jerseys. 

It must be time to buy a new one from Soigneur and encourage your friends to do the same.

Hey, we’re just looking out for your safety!