Helmets
The second most essential technology for the Tour De France, that has evolved over the past century and since bikes introduction. As bikes have become more advanced, they became faster, lighter, more durable, and more dangerous as a result. This lead to many questioning the safety of the sport, and so the development of was to make biking safer were introduced, especially in highly publicized events such as the Tour De France; during the inaugural race no one wore helmets, and now in the 21st century every single cyclist is required to wear one (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_helmet).
At the start of the Tour De France helmets were not necessary and many people were unaware of the dangers of riding without helmets. But as time went on and more and more injuries occurred, people began to pick up on this danger. So a protective gear that was worn to protect the head from injuries was adapted to be used when biking and specifically in the Tour De France. These helmets were made to be aerodynamic as to not affect the speed of racers too greatly, and to possibly increase speed, while minimizing the effect on peripheral vision. These helmets also were required to provide ventilation because bicycle touring is an intense aerobic activity that causes heat to build up, and if there were no ventilation there would be overheating issues (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_helmet).
In the past the Union Cycliste Internationale did not require the use of helmets, but left it up to rider preference and local traffic laws. The UCI had its first attempt to make them mandatory in 1991 and when they enforced this the riders held a strike during the Paris-Nice Race, forcing them to abandon the idea. Then in the mid 1990s voluntary helmet use in the professionals rose. But the major turning point for Helmet policy was in 2003 with the death of Andrei Kivilev, which resulted in mandatory helmet use until final climbs of at least 5km and this was later changed to be mandatory use at all times
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_helmet).
At the start of the Tour De France helmets were not necessary and many people were unaware of the dangers of riding without helmets. But as time went on and more and more injuries occurred, people began to pick up on this danger. So a protective gear that was worn to protect the head from injuries was adapted to be used when biking and specifically in the Tour De France. These helmets were made to be aerodynamic as to not affect the speed of racers too greatly, and to possibly increase speed, while minimizing the effect on peripheral vision. These helmets also were required to provide ventilation because bicycle touring is an intense aerobic activity that causes heat to build up, and if there were no ventilation there would be overheating issues (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_helmet).
In the past the Union Cycliste Internationale did not require the use of helmets, but left it up to rider preference and local traffic laws. The UCI had its first attempt to make them mandatory in 1991 and when they enforced this the riders held a strike during the Paris-Nice Race, forcing them to abandon the idea. Then in the mid 1990s voluntary helmet use in the professionals rose. But the major turning point for Helmet policy was in 2003 with the death of Andrei Kivilev, which resulted in mandatory helmet use until final climbs of at least 5km and this was later changed to be mandatory use at all times
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_helmet).
In the 1970s the dominant style of helmet was called the hairnet helmet and was made of leather and provided minimal protection from impact, but strong protection from scrapes and cuts. It was also after the 1970s that helmets became widely used. A variations of bicycle helmet was introduced in the following decades, which was a variation of motorcycle helmets; which were expanded polystyrene foam liners, and had hard polycarbonate plastic shells. In 1983 the first helmet intended for racing was introduced and it was called the V1-Pro and was manufactured by Bell. All of these models had very limited ventilation, but were intended to have more; then in 1990 a new technique was invented: an in-mould microshell which allowed for larger vents, and more complex shapes. Then in the late 1990s and early 2000s there were advances in fitting and retention systems, which allowed for adjustable helmets. This advancement has a drawback however, which was that the back of the head was not as protected which could result in more concussions if it were not for the low amount of impacts to the back of the head while riding (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_helmet).
In the Tour De France and other major races across the world carbon fibre inserts have begun to be used to provide more protection and greater strength of the overall helmets, along with more streamlined designs; that can have a long tapering back end (which are most commonly for time trial because of relative uncomfortableness, and lack of ventilation) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_helmet).
Helmets are constantly tried and tested to prove their effectiveness, and commonly come out as an effective way to prevent head injuries. The National Health Service of the United Kingdom lists wearing helmets as one of its cycling safety tips for beginners, and that it can prevent a head injury if an individual were to fall from their bike. A Cochrane review of case controlled studies of helmets found that they provide a “63-88% reduction in the risk of head, brain, or severe brain injuries” and that injuries in the upper and mid facial area are reduced by 65% (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_helmet). A 2001 meta-analysis by the Australian government found overwhelming evidence that supports helmets ability to prevent head injury and fatal injury. But a re-analysis by Rune Elvik concluded that these results were bias, and has brought up questions of the actual effectiveness of helmets, but still many results prove that helmets are an extremely effective way to prevent injury.
So has time went on the use of helmets became more wide stream, popular, and required in the Tour De France. This is due to the proven injury prevention, risk reduction, and after the death of Andrei Kivilev which cause the UCI to implement mandatory helmet use.
In the Tour De France and other major races across the world carbon fibre inserts have begun to be used to provide more protection and greater strength of the overall helmets, along with more streamlined designs; that can have a long tapering back end (which are most commonly for time trial because of relative uncomfortableness, and lack of ventilation) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_helmet).
Helmets are constantly tried and tested to prove their effectiveness, and commonly come out as an effective way to prevent head injuries. The National Health Service of the United Kingdom lists wearing helmets as one of its cycling safety tips for beginners, and that it can prevent a head injury if an individual were to fall from their bike. A Cochrane review of case controlled studies of helmets found that they provide a “63-88% reduction in the risk of head, brain, or severe brain injuries” and that injuries in the upper and mid facial area are reduced by 65% (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_helmet). A 2001 meta-analysis by the Australian government found overwhelming evidence that supports helmets ability to prevent head injury and fatal injury. But a re-analysis by Rune Elvik concluded that these results were bias, and has brought up questions of the actual effectiveness of helmets, but still many results prove that helmets are an extremely effective way to prevent injury.
So has time went on the use of helmets became more wide stream, popular, and required in the Tour De France. This is due to the proven injury prevention, risk reduction, and after the death of Andrei Kivilev which cause the UCI to implement mandatory helmet use.