3B.1 Safety (Closed for comments)
Comments about this discussion:
Started
After at least one full-face crash at Unicon 20, it was suggested that full-face helmets be required.
Thoughts?
Comment
That particular crash at the finish of the marathon wasn't pretty. But full-face helmets are quite rare in unicycling (or in bicycling, for that matter), and I think quite a few riders would hate them. Of course every rider is free to use a full-face helmet if he/she wants. But I for one don't think we should require it.
Comment
The crash seemed more in keeping with dismount error secondary to fatigue, at low speed. If we based the requirement on this, we would need full face helmets for most unicycling events.
Most of the riders know when it would be beneficial- for instance when using clipless pedals. I would not be in favour of mandating full face helmets for road racing.
Comment
I agree with Klaas and Ken that we should not make it a requirement.
Do we want to make it a suggestion?
I say no, as it opens up to liability issues.
Comment
I agree with you. Here are my observations:
The 2 unicyclists (they're 2 Frenchmen I know) who fell at the finish of the marathon were taken by surprise by the slight downhill false flat at the finish (they leaned forward without being able to accelerate... certainly due to fatigue and a lack of experience, they've both been unicycling for 3-4 years).
I don't think a full-face helmet has only advantages. It can reduce vision and hearing, which can be factors in falls. And I think it would reduce the number of road racers.
Even when they arrive alone, some want to sprint in the final metres of the race, which increases the risk of a fall. I think the topography of the finish is more important: avoid descents and bumpy areas.
Comment
If I remember correctly, the biggest bumps were for the timing strips. I guess they are unavoidable. But indeed the slight downhill for the final 100m or so increased the risk somewhat. Not something for the rulebook I think, but it could be a recommendation for future road races not to have a descent at the end.