UCI to 'encourage development of protective equipment' such as rider airbags

Airbags are one step closer to blowing up in the pro peloton, with the UCI launching a consultation surrounding the use of the wearable safety tech.

There are already working products that can attach to cycling clothing, most notably bib short straps that sit on the spine, and rapidly inflate in the event of a crash.

With safety high up the UCI's agenda in recent years, the sport's governing body is keen to see the technology developed to a point where it can be widely used in professional road racing.

Following its most recent Management Committee meeting, the UCI has invited 'expressions of interest' from relevant parties in order to form working groups later this year.

"Already in contact with several players in the sector, the UCI now wishes to broaden the initiative to the greatest number possible of manufacturers and institutes working on the development of airbags and technical apparel for cyclists," read a statement from the UCI.

"The objectives of this initiative are as follows...

• regarding airbag systems: to define a clear framework and appropriate standards to enable the development and integration of such devices into cycling (in competition and training);
• regarding technical apparel: to study the integration of airbag solutions into clothing and to identify ways to further strengthen the protection offered by textiles.

See also | Wearable airbag technology could be coming to the pro peloton soon – Here's why its creators think it could be a game changer

The UCI has opened a public form for parties to have their input.

In the future, the UCI will need to "develop a regulatory framework" to govern the use of the equipment in races, but first of all it simply needs to "analyse the relevance of this equipment across the different disciplines".

Pro cycling has not always been so quick to adopt technology that makes riders safer, certainly compared to technology that makes riders faster.

The use of airbags, adding potential penalties in terms of weight, aerodynamics, and comfort, might not seem like an instant fit for the sport right now.

But the safety benefits may become too great to ignore, and safety is certainly high on the political agenda of the UCI, which recently set up the multi-stakeholder SafeR project.

In terms of tone, UCI appears keen to see airbags become the newest part of the safety puzzle, voicing a desire to "encourage coherent development of protective equipment that meets the needs of riders and teams, and is in line with the industrial realities faced by manufacturers".

The initial consultation will run through March 15, after which various working groups will be mapped out for the rest of the year.