Picnic PostNL are developing a collarbone-protecting airbags but note: "It'll require a change of mindset"

Broken collarbone has become such a regular aspect of professional cycling, that it's become a saying that if you haven't broken one in your career, you aren't a true professional. But is there really nothing that can be done to reduce the risk in times of crashes? In Picnic PostNL, one solution is being studied meticulously: airbags!

A tool to soften heavy impacts, airbags have been protecting drivers and saving lifes for many decades. Cycling is also a high speed sport where crashes, like it or not, are part of the action. However cyclists have only ever been protected by thin-fabric skinsuits. And Picnic PostNL hope to lead the movement of change.

The breakthrough system developed by Aerobag is mounted on the back and consists of a small operating system and CO2 cartridges. When the airbag deploys, it protects the hips, ribs, collarbones, and neck. It should ensure greater safety in the peloton. The system was recently presented at the Velofollies cycling trade show.

Aerobag development manager Quinton van Loggerenberg said: "Clothing brand Nalini created this for Team Picnic PostNL and is an early adopter for us. They're partnering with us for the upcoming season, making it more widely available to the public."

Speaking at In de Waaier podcast, Piet Rooijakkers, Head of Research & Development at Team Picnic PostNL, talked about the airbag, and its actual effectivness. "No, it probably won't prevent a broken collarbone," said the former professional, quickly explaining why, and in which situations, would it fail to fulfill its mission:

"We might have to do crash training for that, because if you rely on the airbag and keep your arms together, then yes. But most riders will stick their hands out in front of them, which will cause them to break their collarbone anyway. If at some point they start thinking: that airbag will absorb my impact, then it's possible."

However, this system isn't necessarily designed to prevent a broken collarbone. "A broken collarbone has never ruined anyone's career. It's annoying, but breaking your hip is more critical. A rib is easily redone, but a rib through your lung is even more difficult."

And so, ideally, the airbags would not just cover the most exposed parts of cyclist's body, but rather offer a fully-body protection, especially for some of the most critical parts which tend to prove hardest to fully recover from.