The rash of accidents and falls that have befallen professional cycling since racing resumed following the suspension of competition due to the coronavirus pandemic has led to many calls for race organizers and the UCI to improve standards. Jos van Emden of Jumbo Visma has offered 10 suggestions to the Dutch media for greater safety.

Earlier this week, Michal Molkow of Deceuninck Quickstep dismissed the CPA, the professional riders' association, as a "worthless organization" when it comes to improving rider safety.

"I don't know what the CPA is; I think it's a partnership with the UCI because it was created by the UCI," the Dane told Cycling News after stage 2 of the Tour de Wallonie on Monday. 'I believe the UCI has a partnership with the UCI. They don't have the power to change anything.

Now, Van Emden is equally disparaging both the CPA and the sport's governing body, the UCI, regarding safety.

"On paper the Riders Union exists, but in reality they do nothing for us," the 35-year-old wrote in a column in the Algemeen Dagblad on Wednesday. 'They are a bunch of puppets. They are paid by the UCI to do what the UCI wants them to do, and I know very few athletes who support the CPA board. If something goes wrong, they demand an investigation. I never hear about that again. There are initiatives from the riders to implement reforms or create a new union, but they are opposed from all sides. [The UCI does not care about rider safety. To the outside world, yes, but they don't seem to be looking at their own mistakes and shortcomings, and even if the UCI were to make adjustments and rule changes to improve safety, it would take years."

"It's not that difficult," Van Emden said. 'There are plenty of measures that could be implemented immediately.'

The Dutch Jumbo Visma riders (teammates of Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Tom Dumoulin, and others) have come up with ten suggestions:

Course inspection

"A committee composed of former riders will be appointed and every race approve the course. Even if it was only the last 5 km, it would make a huge difference. They can reject a course without being accountable to the UCI."

3 km rule

"The 3 km rule (if a crash occurs in the last 3 km of a stage, all riders get the finishing time of the group they were in when the crash occurred) should always apply on flat stages. Since times are measured at 3 km from the finish, classified riders and their teammates do not have to sprint (against stage contenders) just before the finish line.

Publication of Race Route

"Race organizers are obliged to publish the road book and the exact route weeks (preferably months) in advance. Nowadays this is often done only one week before the race.

Downhill Finishes

"No mention is made of downhill finishes such as the Tour de Pollogne.

Airbags

"In the last few hundred meters, air cushions should be placed on the side of the road like in ice skating. That should be the standard in World Tour competitions. When air cushions are not in use, they could be used in smaller races.

Banners

"Banners should only hang over roads if the width of the road can accommodate them. If it needs to partially hang over the road, even if only 10 cm, it should hang next to the road. At present, it is often necessary to avoid poles or ropes on the road.

Team Race Radio

"There is no longer a radio connection between the sport director and the athletes. This is because many supervisors shout that the riders must move on, even if they don't actually have to. Instead, riders can contact the race review vehicle and report problems or mechanics."

Red and Yellow Card System

"There should be a yellow and red card system (like in soccer). Not arbitrary as it is now, but the same punishment for the same crime."

Motorcyclists

"On every course we need motor cyclists to secure the race. They block the road, wait for us to pass, and often overtake us. It is an important job. But sometimes they overtake irresponsibly. I want them each to wear a big number so we can report any problems later."

Cycle paths and sidewalks

"Riders who ride on cycle paths or sidewalks are immediately disqualified.

"These ten points are not sacrosanct. 'There must be better measures. But this is a start. But this is a start. [Cycling is a great sport. It is also a sport with risks. But that doesn't mean we have to accept all the risks. Especially when it comes to safety, we want to speak up. We put our bodies and limbs at risk every day. We want a real union. We want real measures to remove unnecessary risks from our profession." [We are cyclists, not circus animals.