{"id":474340,"date":"2024-04-06T14:58:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-06T12:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/innovationorigins.com\/?p=474340"},"modified":"2024-04-06T14:58:00","modified_gmt":"2024-04-06T12:58:00","slug":"airbag-tech-to-support-rider-safety-in-cycling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/en\/airbag-tech-to-support-rider-safety-in-cycling\/","title":{"rendered":"Airbag tech to support rider safety in cycling"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The pro cycling world is abuzz with a series of recent accidents, which have caused severe injuries to the best riders in the peloton. So it doesn’t come as a big surprise that ingenious minds step into the arena to present their tech solutions. The most prominent among them is airbag technology. Several initiatives have popped up in recent years, but none of them has been able to conquer the pro cycling pack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why you should read this<\/h2>

A day before the Paris – Roubaix classical cycling race, the debate around riders’ safety is growing to new heights. Technology can come to the rescue.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n

“Every major crash prompts questions about why certain safety measures aren’t in place, why governing bodies like the UCI aren’t taking action, and why riders and teams aren’t utilizing available technology”, says Sam Ratajczak, a Belgian industrial designer focusing on sports innovation. In a recent LinkedIn post<\/a>, he explained the airbag project he was working on in 2021. Despite initial reluctance, he still hopes the project can gain traction due to technological advances and detailed accident analysis. <\/p>\n\n\n

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<\/div><\/div>
European declaration on cycling aims to support EU’s new drive for greener transport<\/div>
The EU promises to take a significant leap towards a more sustainable future with the European Declaration on Cycling signed this week. <\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

The pursuit of enhanced safety<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ratajczak: “In 2020-2021, as then Chief R&D Bioracer, along with industrial design intern Stijn Vanvolsem, we delved into the concept of incorporating an airbag into the professional cycling peloton. The project was initiated by Bert Celis.” Professional cycling, a sport synonymous with the beauty of human endurance and the risk of injury, is on the cusp of a paradigm shift in safety standards. As the cycling community champions innovation, integrating airbag technology into the sport’s very fabric is no longer a distant dream but an impending reality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a9 Sam Ratajczak<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The words of Johan Museeuw, “Crashing is a part of cycling as crying is part of love,” resonate deeply within the cycling community, where the acceptance of risk has often been seen as a necessary evil of the sport. However, this stoicism is challenged by a growing consensus that safety should be paramount. “Ultimately, the introduction of an airbag system in professional cycling could represent a significant leap forward in rider safety, potentially mitigating the severity of injuries in crashes”, Ratajczak writes. “As the cycling community continues to prioritize safety and innovation, the prospect of integrating airbag technology into the peloton remains an exciting possibility for the future.”<\/p>\n\n\n

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<\/div><\/div>
This smart helmet records neural function during cycling and horseriding<\/div>
Contemporary wearable technologies allow for the continuous tracking of vital signs. Yet, in pursuits like cycling, motor racing, or military operations, a helmet is still pretty old fashioned.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

Setting new safety benchmarks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are more initiatives like the one Ratajczak is referring to. One of them is the H\u00f6vding airbag<\/a>, a device that offers a high level of protection. Tested by Certimoov at the University of Strasbourg, the airbag has proven superior to traditional helmets, earning a near-perfect score for impact absorption and protection against rotational forces. The H\u00f6vding airbag’s standout feature is its rapid deployment; advanced sensors and a unique algorithm enable the airbag to inflate in a mere 0.1 seconds, providing crucial protection in the event of a crash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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