'In cycling, you had to choose between performance and safety' - Van Rysel announces a new airbag-equipped aero skinsuit

Van Rysel has introduced a pioneering airbag-equipped aero skinsuit designed to enhance rider safety without compromising performance. This development follows the earlier announcement of Aerobag technology and coincides with the UCI’s recent consultation on airbag systems in cycling. Highlighting the high injury rates in professional cycling, with over 1,300 fractures reported in six years, Van Rysel’s initiative aims to set a new benchmark in protective cycling apparel, developed in partnership with the Decathlon CMA CGM and Van Rysel-Roubaix teams. Distinct from the retrofit Aerobag system, Van Rysel’s airbag technology is fully integrated into a skinsuit that combines abrasion-resistant materials with aerodynamic efficiency. The suit’s design has benefited from collaboration with Swiss Side, utilising computational fluid dynamics and wind tunnel testing to ensure it matches the performance standards of WorldTour skinsuits. The challenge of balancing safety with weight, comfort, aerodynamics, and thermal regulation has been a key focus, although validation of the suit’s thermoregulation properties is still underway. The airbag system itself is powered by an algorithm developed by US-based In&motion, a company experienced in airbag technology for motorbike and snow sports. This algorithm analyses rider dynamics up to 1,000 times per second, drawing on a vast dataset of 450 million kilometres to detect crashes and deploy the airbag within 60 milliseconds. The suit targets protection at critical body areas including the thorax, cervical zone, and spinal line, with a total weight of around 700 grams, of which 500 grams is the airbag mechanism. While the suit is currently undergoing final validation with professional riders, its introduction signals a significant step towards safer racing apparel, even though it is unlikely to feature in imminent events like Paris-Roubaix due to ongoing regulatory reviews. Van Rysel anticipates making this technology available to the broader cycling community within the next two years. The move reflects growing momentum in the adoption of advanced safety technologies in cycling, potentially transforming protective gear for both professional and amateur riders in the near future.