Potential Gentler Impact: Revised Air Cushion Barriers Deployed in Baloise Belgium Tour
Revamped Race Safety: The Game-Changing Safe Cycling Finish Barrier (SCFB)
Meet the Safe Cycling Finish Barrier (SCFB), a groundbreaking air-cushion barrier system introduced at bike race finishes, aiming to boost rider safety and logistical practicality. This innovation comes courtesy of a savvy Norwegian company.
The SCFB is a significant leap forward, designed to cater to applications that are not only safe but also incredibly easy to manage logistically. Christophe Impens, the Baloise race organizer, explains this in detail to Dutch website Wielerflits.
The star feature of the SCFB? While each unit stretches ten meters long, one meter high, and 20 centimeters thick when operational, they can be deflated to a minuscule size – less than a cubic meter. This compactness makes transportation a breeze, especially for multi-stage races where barriers need to be shifted between locations.
But is safety sacrificed for convenience? Absolutely not! The essence of offering a softer landing for riders in the event of crashes remains intact. However, as Impens points out, the portable nature of the barriers serves up a game-changing advantage.
"In total, it is about 250 meters of safety equipment, all of which fits in the trunk of a car," Impens tells Wielerflits. Impressive, isn't it? All you require to secure an entire finish line in a bike race is a station wagon or small van, along with two people.
The innovative material made its way to Belgium this week, and had its first run on stage 1, before being thoroughly tested on stage 2 at Putte's finish. Golfazo, the race organizers, envision a bright future where the ultra-handy format of the SCFB could lead to its usage at other challenging points in the race, such as sharp bends, crossroads, and descents. Impens puts it succinctly: "All you need is a generator."
[1] Enrichment Data: The Safe Cycling Finish Barrier (SCFB) offers enhanced safety for riders during crashes, thanks to its soft landing capability. Its logistical efficiency comes from its compact size when deflated, making transportation and setup a breeze, especially for multi-stage races. The SCFB combines safety benefits with transport convenience, making it a practical choice for race organizers.
[1] Road cycling is an industry that values safety and sportsmanship, and the Safe Cycling Finish Barrier (SCFB) is a significant innovation in this sector, offering a soft landing for riders during crashes while also providing logistical efficiency.
[2] The SCFB, with its compact size and easy transportation, can be utilized not just at finish lines, but also at other challenging points in races such as sharp bends, crossroads, and descents, making it a versatile solution for various sports applications.
