Workshop: Cycling safety technology

On 30 June 2026 a workshop will be organised to discuss topics around cycling safety technology
Moderator: Steven Verstockt – Ghent University
Location: Barcelona
Coffee break included

Time 14.00-17.00

Scheduled topics
Impact detection & reduction
Tracking & communication innovations
Smart(er) prevention & warning

Each topic will begin with an introductory presentation, followed by participant pitches and a collaborative brainstorm to define requirements and next steps.

Tracking and communication innovations
The topic will start with a presentation by the Ghent University Rouback Team, which will also moderate the discussion afterwards.
Behind the Scenes of RouBack: Advancing Innovation in Race Safety
The Ghent University team will share results and insights from its first RouBack pilot, conducted during the Muurclassic for Juniors in Flanders (June 7th). Attendees will gain a unique behind-the-scenes look at the technology, its implementation, and the future roadmap. Additionally, Prof. Verstockt’s team will discuss the specific needs identified through surveys with various organizers and federations, while addressing the challenges and risks associated with this emerging technology.
This presentation serves as a catalyst for an interactive discussion and brainstorm on the future of tracking and communication within competitive cycling.

Impact detection & reduction
The topic will start with a presentation by Bert Celis from Aerobag.
The Evolution & Future of Aerobag: Shaping the Next Era of Protection
During this session, Bert Celis (Founder & CEO of Aerobag) will take you behind the scenes of the Aerobag plug-in, exploring the history of its inception and its remarkable development over the past six years. Designed for ultimate flexibility, maximal comfort and minimal weight, the Aerobag plug-in enables clothing brands to easily implement airbag technology into various products, speeding up the evolution of rider safety in performance cycling. The modular architecture opens up new possibilities for advanced protection and integration in several cycling disciplines. Following the presentation, attendees are invited to an interactive brainstorm session, where we can together discuss potential protection strategies, and explore new data gathering and sharing possibilities for collaboration and open innovation in order to align and boost all future protection developments over all cycling disciplines.

Head impact & crash data insights
Ben Emsley/Rory England(Head impact research team, Loughborough University) will give an overview of their Loughbourough Univeristy crash releated research. In this session, links will also be made to how these findings can be used in (smart)er prevention, detection & warning.

REGISTRATION FEE WORKSHOP CYCLING SAFETY TECHNOLOGY; CYCLING 2026

(Including 10% Spanish vat)

Delegates participating in the regular Science & Cycling conference (1-2 July) can register for € 25,-
If you are not participating in the regular Science & Cycling conference (1-2 July) registration is € 50,-

We will open the registration for this as soon as we have a program available.