Rider Safety - time to act?

[Happy_Days]

The point being made by @Happy_Days is that motorcycle racing - I did it as well including racing at IOM TT - developed rider protection systems that were initially cumbersome but developed very quickly

Indeed. That was precisely the point. Regulation catalysed massive innovation in motorcycle rider protection. The airbag in my motorcycle jacket is unnoticeable while I’m riding, and my abrasion-resistant jeans look and feel like regular denim jeans.

Moreover, in cycling clothing, ArmaUrto has shown what’s possible with today’s textile technology. I have a pair of ArmaUrto bib shorts that feel like regular road cycling clobber, yet they have (unnoticeable) hip armour.

 

[Webbo2]

Indeed. That was precisely the point. Regulation catalysed massive innovation in motorcycle rider protection. The airbag in my motorcycle jacket is unnoticeable while I’m riding, and my abrasion-resistant jeans look and feel like regular denim jeans.

Moreover, in cycling clothing, ArmaUrto has shown what’s possible with today’s textile technology. I have a pair of ArmaUrto bib shorts that feel like regular road cycling clobber, yet they have (unnoticeable) hip armour.

However how aero are they because when you are talking marginal gains any watts lost is major issue in pro cycling. Plus I can’t see how the hip armour would work given the stretchyness of cycling clothing as once you started sliding on the ground Shirley it would start move out of position.

 

[mididoctors]

The number of riders killed or seriously injured training is perhaps more worrying

 

[matticus]

Indeed. That was precisely the point. Regulation catalysed massive innovation in motorcycle rider protection. The airbag in my motorcycle jacket is unnoticeable while I’m riding, and my abrasion-resistant jeans look and feel like regular denim jeans.

Moreover, in cycling clothing, ArmaUrto has shown what’s possible with today’s textile technology. I have a pair of ArmaUrto bib shorts that feel like regular road cycling clobber, yet they have (unnoticeable) hip armour.

In pro races hip impacts lead to spectacular fabric tears and bruising. Rarely do they lead to DNFs and/or fractures.

 

[Happy_Days]

I’m not arguing for hip armour per se. Rather, I’d argue that innovation – often catalysed by regulation – can drive the development of rider protection that’s comfortable for racing.

I’d also add that cycling could learn from motorcycling regarding “clothing zones”. For example, areas most likely to be struck or abraded have higher protection, while other areas can use lighter, more breathable textiles. So armpits can be ventilated, while shoulders have more abrasion-resistant material. I’ve yet to see this level of thoughtfulness in cycling clothing R&D. Where’s the research and innovation?

 

[Illaveago]

I’m not arguing for hip armour per se. Rather, I’d argue that innovation – often catalysed by regulation – can drive the development of rider protection that’s comfortable for racing.

I’d also add that cycling could learn from motorcycling regarding “clothing zones”. For example, areas most likely to be struck or abraded have higher protection, while other areas can use lighter, more breathable textiles. So armpits can be ventilated, while shoulders have more abrasion-resistant material. I’ve yet to see this level of thoughtfulness in cycling clothing R&D. Where’s the research and innovation?

I would have thought that spine protection should be on the list as well.

 

[geocycle]

The number of riders killed or seriously injured training is perhaps more worrying

That’s a good point which suggests its attitude to risk as much as race conditions that’s playing a part.

 

[Dogtrousers]

There are always reasons why not to change. My own view is that the current death rate is unacceptable but I think the sport overall differs and is prepared to carry on as is.

Take complete, marshalled, road closures. "Oh we can't afford that". Well my view is that if you can't afford to guarantee rider safety then your race is financially inviolable and will have to stop. But turkeys don't vote for Christmas so they will muddle on with the lethal rolling closures

Take dangerous descents. Why not find a way to neutralise them? "Oh but descending is exciting TV, Mohiric, Pidcock, think of the viewing figures ..."

When it comes down to it the sport will always find some excuse not to improve safety, will always find some distraction activity like lowering gearing to change the subject and give the appearance of doing something.

Even a simple thing like rider tracking, to ensure that a crashed rider is not missed can't be implemented without descending into factional squabbling and deadlock. There will always be some excuse.

After each tragedy there will be a brief period of pious hand-wringing then absolutely nothing will be done.

There will be no attempt at any kind of innovation because the sport is deeply conservative. There will always be an excuse: We can't afford it; That's not what racing looks like traditionally looks like; Faction X might benefit more than faction Y so we can dismiss it a vested interests lobbying; Rider deaths are part of the business model.

 

[teeonethousand]

It's a shame that all of the lead caravan and motorbikes didn't spot that rock and move it.

Maybe someone could develop something that protects but also cools. Need drives innovation.

 

[Pross]

It's a shame that all of the lead caravan and motorbikes didn't spot that rock and move it.

Maybe someone could develop something that protects but also cools. Need drives innovation.

Read a load of comments that it may have been a GoPro not a rock so possibly not there until just before the riders went through (not convinced myself as I can’t recall there being anyone around to drop it). More worrying is that it wasn’t pointed out as a hazard by the riders in front, that’s basic protocol even on a club run.

 

[matticus]

Take complete, marshalled, road closures. "Oh we can't afford that". Well my view is that if you can't afford to guarantee rider safety then your race is financially inviolable and will have to stop. But turkeys don't vote for Christmas so they will muddle on with the lethal rolling closures

A huge number of races would become uneconomic.
Yes, this would be good for rider safety.
But it would be terrible for riders' careers. (Well, most riders)

So I think this will always be a compromise. Most riders will always choose some risks over having to "work" for a living, and pay to race at the weekends (and the race fees will be huge if every race is 100% safe.)

 

[matticus]

There will always be an excuse: We can't afford it; That's not what racing looks like traditionally looks like; Faction X might benefit more than faction Y so we can dismiss it a vested interests lobbying; Rider deaths are part of the business model.

I do agree about excuses, many times. If we looked at every hazard with an open mind, SOME of them are definitely soluble at bearable cost.

(The SAFR thingy proved this e..g. the "Sepp Kuss" netting on Alpe Dhuez. )

 

[Illaveago]

I saw a post on the net saying that you should replace your helmet after so many years or if it's had a knock. That's all very well until you see what's on offer! I have a nice high viz yellow one but in the shops they are all drab colours , grey or matt black!

 

[Drago]

It doesnt help that racecraft is incompatible with roadcraft.

One goes down, a d because their chums are riding exactly parallel theres a good change theyll get gathered up as well.

The incentive is not to yield an inch. It is a race after all. But not yielding an inch is pointless if the rider crashes out anyway.

Riders taking more care with spacing and positioning when in the pack would go a long way to helping themselves. Over the last decade we've seen the introduction of positioning and overtaking rules in top flight motorsport intended to reduce needless collisions, perhaps its about time riders were subject to similar rules about positioning and were then held accountable if they allow someone else to have them off?

 

[Webbo2]

It doesnt help that racecraft is incompatible with roadcraft.

One goes down, a d because their chums are riding exactly parallel theres a good change theyll get gathered up as well.

The incentive is not to yield an inch. It is a race after all. But not yielding an inch is pointless if the rider crashes out anyway.

Riders taking more care with spacing and positioning when in the pack would go a long way to helping themselves. Over the last decade we've seen the introduction of positioning and overtaking rules in top flight motorsport intended to reduce needless collisions, perhaps its about time riders were subject to similar rules about positioning and were then held accountable if they allow someone else to have them off?

I wonder if you have ridden my road races Drago. Because sometimes even good riders start to struggle never mind cannon fodder like my good self. At the those times you glue yourself to someone’s wheel because once it becomes a gap of foot then two foot, three foot and your gone.
However you fight to do this because once your over that hill, cross wind or something you may come good again so your race is not over. But if you let a gap happen it is.