lotek 

Given the tragedy with A. Kivilev
will UCI mandate the use of helmets during
sanctioned rides?
I'd be very interested to hear what Xavier has
to say about this as he is an ex pro rider.

Thanks,
Marty

bac

There is a breed of European racer that just isn't going to strap on a lid regardless of regulations. Too much bravado!

ChipRGW

They should then implement the system like the NHL did when they mandated helmet use. Only "new" players were obligated. Existing players were allowed the option of going "topless".
By now, all of the old helmetless crowd are retired and all players are now protected.
Funny, the NHL players made the exact same kind of arguments the anti-bike helmet crowd makes.

velo

I think the UCI will take action soon. Sure, there are going to be some people, at first, who are going to take the punishments (fines, etc.), but I think everyone will realize the dangers of going top-less sooner or later.

Styk33

I never knew that is how the NHL did it. I like that idea and that seem like that would go over better.

khuon

While, I'm a proponent of helmet use, I'd be surprised to see the UCI mandate helmets. But then again, more "radical" things have happened. Aren't some of these teams partly sponsored by helmet manufacturers? I wonder what kind of pressures the helmet industry will put on the teams they sponsor.

ChipRGW

Besides the safety factor, a helmet provides more room for sponsor logos.

khuon

BTW, the UCI has tried in the past to mandate helmets:

https://www.velonews.com/news/fea/3586.0.html

Coppi51

although i'm sure this recent tragedy will have some affect on the UCI...i don't see them making any helmet rules anytime soon...

i'm sure a lot of riders would protest...all of them know the helmet is good for them...but come the summer time with the sun beating down and the heat rising from the tarmac...they would rather remain cool...

steversk

Although I don't see the UCI mandating helmets, it would be a good example for younger riders who look up to their heros. Luckily, helmet use for kids is becoming more accepted but there still is a long ways to go.

bikeluvr

In light of the recent tragic death of Andrei Kivilev, mandatory helmet use among pros is being debated again. I say make those guys wear helmets, a warm head is better than a fractured head.

Raiyn

Please not ANOTHER foam and plastic post! Give me strength! YES helmets should be mandatory for sanctioned races. My personal choice is to wear one and I won't ride with anyone who doesn't. I've said my bit and I'm done

Xavier

Personally many may not like what I am about to say and many know me, but I am very honest

I think they should not be mandatory.

Pro riders know the risks and I think they should have the freedom to choose what they want.

shokhead

So any pro sport should'nt be mandatory to wear helments,right?They all know the risks.

aerobat

They went through this in ice hockey years ago, and helmets are now universal. It certainly is a good example for young people coming up, too.

Xavier

That is my opinion and some may not agree with it

Lance wants to create a good example then he should wear one. It is up to each individual to choose. If they want to be safe then use a helmet. If they want to set a good example to others then they should.

I like freedom. The freedom too choose. Slowly we are loosing this but I think we should fight for it.

lotek 

Raiyn,

No not another foam and plastic post, I'm not asking about
our personal choices, but what we think the UCI will
do and how the peloton will respond. I think UCI will again
try to mandate but it won't pass.

Marty

Dutchy

When the cyclist's race in the Tour Down Under helmet use is mandatory due to our road laws. The first year there was a bit of a rebellion with riders not wearing them on training rides. The majority did wear them during the race though. The race director Mike Turtur said that the police should book any pro not wearing a helmet on training rides, so they did! Now in it's 5th year all the pro's seem to dealing with the law, and are reminded at the beginning of the week that these are our road rules and any rider not conforming can be kicked out.

The heat thing is a red herring, this year the temperature reached 44ºC/111F and the pro's still wore their helmets. When it is that hot, and your body is suffering a helmet less head isn't going to cool you down, it's like riding in an oven, the heat is everywhere.

CHEERS.

Mark

spexy

Hey, guys. Is it me or are some of the European helmets shaped different?

I'm kinda new to watching races but it appears some of the peloton wear lower-profile helmets with a brim in the back. Maybe it's just a regular helmet over a hat but it looks different from the street legal helmets we wear in the states.

Chris L

Agreed. I've ridden in those temperatures (and hotter) on occasions. I've got by OK wearing a helmet, and I'm probably not as fit as any of the pro-riders are. It's not really an excuse when you consider all the ventilation available on helmets these days. Having said that, I really can't see it being passed. I think there will be too much opposition from the riders, and I also think the UCI are going to be more concerned with other issues such as the "D" word.

khuon

I never understood the heat issue either. Maybe it's just me but I feel that my head gets hotter without a helmet to shield the sun from beating down directly on my head.


Since they backed down before in the face of rider protest it's very likely they'll do so again. Perhaps I haven't been observant enough but I haven't heard of any more support for helmets from the pro peloton now than there was ten years ago.

roadbuzz

I think pro riders on a closed course should be allowed to choose.

I suppose a team sponsor could make it's sponsorship contingent on helmet usage.

FWIW, helmet usage has increased significantly in the 10-15 years... just look at the pictures in Greg LeMond's book. And there were those brancale(?) things... the leather hairnet "helmets." Why bother?

lotek 

well, the hairnets didn't offer crash protection, but they
did offer something to slide on the road other than your
scalp. Its an evolution thing, just look at an early Football
(U.S. type) helmet compared with todays helmets.

Marty

dws5b

If I were a team owner or sponsor I would put it in every riders contract that he must wear a helmet or go somewhere else. if every team would do that the UCI would not have to make them mandatory and it comes down to a money thing. Wear a helmet or not get paid.

VegasCyclist

hrmm IMHO they should mandate them, but will they? who knows.... I sometimes think to myself, why would any pro cyclist not wear a helmet, with the history of no helmet crashes leading to some deaths?..