The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) wants to define a clear framework and appropriate standards to enable the development and integration of airbags into cycling.<\/p>\n
This is part of an initiative by cycling\u2019s international governing body to develop protective equipment for riders in the men\u2019s and women\u2019s peloton, with the aim of improving safety in the event of a crash. It will also consider how to integrate airbags into cycling clothing and identify ways certain textiles can strengthen protection.<\/p>\n
Safety has been a persistent issue in professional road cycling over the last few years. In 2023, the UCI announced the creation of SafeR, a new independent entity dedicated to improving cycling safety that was a direct response to \u201cthe trend of increasing incidents occurring in men\u2019s and women\u2019s professional road cycling\u201d.<\/p>\n
The UCI has investigated several ways to improve safety, such as the controversial plan to limit the maximum gear ratio riders<\/a> can use in mass-start races and the introduction of GPS trackers<\/a>.<\/p>\n Airbags in cycling have become a hot topic. BikeRadar revealed in January<\/a> that Team Picnic PostNL will use Aerobag\u2019s wearable airbag in training and that the company was already in talks with the UCI concerning its use.\u00a0<\/p>\n Aerobag\u2019s Quinton van Loggerenberg told BikeRadar the idea for an airbag for cyclists came after the death of the young Belgian rider Bjorg Lambrecht in 2019.\u00a0<\/p>\n