Cycling's new regulations aim to balance speed and safety in elite events

Daily Maverick

5 days ago

Professional cycling is getting faster, and cycling's governing body wants to rein in speeds to boost rider safety – but not everyone is happy.
Most sports look to support their athletes to become 'faster, higher, stronger' – in reference to the Olympic Games' original motto – so it is perhaps surprising that cycling's world governing body is trying to slow down elite riders. However, there's good reason the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) recently announced new rules to slow down riders.
These rules, which apply to elite road and cyclo-cross mass-start events for men and women such as the Tour de France, are aimed at improving rider safety.
What are the new rules?
From 1 August, a new bicycle gearing regulation kicks in. Professional cyclists will only be allowed to use a 54-tooth front chain ring with an 11-tooth rear cog. This replaces the current common set-up of 54-10.
To put this into context, a 54-tooth chain ring is the big front gear on a bike and the 11-tooth cog is a small rear gear. Moving to a slightly bigger cog (54-11) makes it harder to hit top speeds: the change from a 54-10 to a 54-11 gear set-up could reduce the top speed by about 2.4 kilometres per hour. Pro riders can reach incredible speeds during descents, sometimes surpassing 130 kilometres per hour.
Then, from 1 January 2026, handlebars must become wider, increasing from a minimum 350mm to 360mm width (depending on the event) to at least 400mm wide.
The handlebar width affects how a rider controls their bike: narrower bars reduce frontal surface area, making a rider more aerodynamic, which again means a faster ride. This is especially useful in time trials or sprints.
Wider bars offer better stability and control, helping to navigate tight turns, peloton traffic or crosswinds.
The UCI has also announced plans to introduce a formal helmet approval protocol in 2027, which will include separate standards for helmets used in mass-start events and time trials.
This shift suggests helmets may soon be subject to the same pre-race approval process as frames and wheels, potentially leading to safer, more regulated head protection.
New rules, different opinions
Professional cycling is getting faster due to stronger athletes, better training and advanced, lighter equipment.
As a result, high-speed crashes, especially downhill or in crowded sprint finishes, have become more common and more dangerous.
The UCI maintains that the new regulations are part of a broader strategy to mitigate speed-related risks, enhance safety and uphold the integrity of the sport.
However, these measures have sparked debate in the cycling community. Some elite cyclists, particularly those who have suffered severe crashes and injuries, suggest it is time safety caught up with technology.
Wout van Aert, who suffered a severe knee injury in September 2024 during a wet descent, said: 'Limiting the number of gears would make the sport much safer.'
Chris Froome, four-time Tour de France winner, also said he supported strategies ' to keep the speeds down on the descents '.
The Professional Cycling Council supports testing gear ratio limits.
It is also likely these changes could limit cutting-edge innovations that only wealthy teams can afford. This would in turn narrow technological disparities across teams.
However, former pro Michael Barry believes gear restrictions are not the answer, and the UCI should instead focus on improved course design and inspection, better barriers and crash-protective clothing.
Technology experts agree, arguing that speed is determined more by a rider's power output and aerodynamic drag than by gear ratios. To enhance safety, they propose alternative solutions such as real-time rider tracking, crash-protective clothing, improved course design and inspection and faster medical response.
The wider handlebar rule has also stirred controversy, especially among smaller-framed riders, many of whom are women, who typically ride with 360mm to 380mm handlebars for better comfort and control.
Under the new regulation, those forced to use bars that exceed their optimal fit range could end up suffering from poor wrist alignment, increased fatigue and a higher risk of repetitive strain injuries.
Despite the growth of women's cycling, the UCI has not made exemptions for smaller riders, raising concerns that a one-size-fits-all solution may compromise inclusivity and safety.
Even though regular riders can continue to use the equipment they prefer, what happens in the pro world often shapes non-elite rider preferences and trends, as well as the bikes sold in stores. If narrower bars are banned at the top level, manufacturers may stop offering them.
Historically, advancements in aerodynamics, gear ratios and component weights seen in the pro peloton have become standard features on consumer bikes.
A delicate balance
The UCI's new regulations mark a likely shift towards standardised equipment and heightened safety.
This deliberate emphasis on safety naturally elevates awareness among all cyclists about the crucial link between equipment choices and rider wellbeing.
Although these restrictions may foster a more level playing field, they also risk curbing the sport's long-standing tradition of engineering innovation.
The very appeal of professional cycling has often been intrinsically tied to the relentless pursuit of technological advancements that yield even fractional competitive advantages.
Striking a balance between ensuring safety and preserving this spirit of ingenuity remains a crucial challenge for the sport's future. DM
First published by The Conversation.
Dr Popi Sotiriadou is an associate professor and the programme director for business innovation at the Griffith Business School, Grifith University, Australia.