Despite a change in format, this competition still gives me hope for this sport and for the next generation of athletes. And one question kept coming up: Should airbags be mandatory or not?
We can’t say it enough: No, an airbag with a trigger mechanism is not required. And our solutions are every bit as good as an airbag. We simply use air in a different way: simpler, more reliable, and less expensive.
At events, we meet quite a few people and chat. I like listening to and asking questions of actual users. Their feedback on this new technology is, to put it mildly, quite surprising. To put it simply: it doesn’t seem to work as promised. And above all, one aspect I hadn’t considered came to light: the economic aspect.
So I spent some time looking over the user manuals and Q&As from the various manufacturers. And honestly, it’s scary. Moisture, maintenance, certified protection levels: we’re a long way from what we offer at RXR today. A very long way…
But one thing worries me even more: How will users be able to afford to keep their product up to the standards it promises?
A trigger costs between €130 and €150. (Cartridge, plus the cost of sending it back to customer service to replace the inflatable chamber every 5 or 6 triggers.)
Imagine a rider’s annual budget, just for his chest protector. And let me remind you: it offers no more protection than our product, which sells for €249.
So when I read regulations that are “strongly recommended” without any studies to back them up, simply because a few riders are shouting them in the ears of decision-makers, I think everyone is going to have to take responsibility.
Our society is ailing in many ways. In this regard, it is in its final stages. After the neck brace controversy, whose advocates went quiet once the results were known, do we really have to wait for the motorcycle airbag to become the next thorny issue in our sport?
Personally, I have my own opinion. And unfortunately, it will lead to accidents. And everyone will have to take responsibility.
As for me, I’ll be there to remind him.
David Schuller – CEO
