Aerodynamic Handlebars: Rider Arrives Before Bicycle

Abstract

To the Editor. —A radical advance in bicycle handlebars has allowed riders to increase their speed by adopting a more aerodynamic position (Figure). This was most dramatically demonstrated by Greg Lemond's victories in the Tour de France. The publicity generated by this race has led significant numbers of cyclists to add these bars to their bicycles. This development may have serious health risks. One of us (R.A.Y.), an experienced cyclist, was traveling downhill at 50 km/h when he fell from the bicycle, suffering multiple facial injuries and a tripod fracture of the zygoma, despite wearing a helmet. These bars present an increased danger for several reasons: (1) they allow relatively novice riders to attain higher speeds; (2) they are usually ridden in a position that does not allow quick access to brake levers; (3) they change the weight distribution of the rider to one that is significantly less stable than