The University of New South Wales and carbon fibre testing firm Cycle Inspect have announced a research initiative to explore the prevalence and impact of structural damage in carbon fibre bicycles.
The move comes amid concern over bike crashes involving carbon fibre components that have fatigued or been stressed by earlier impacts but have never been thoroughly inspected.
Coroners investigating deaths in several states have called on the bike sector to devise inspection regimes that would reveal structural damage.
Associate Professor Soufiane Boufous and Associate Professor Julie Hatfield of the UNSW Transport and Road Safety (TARS) Research Centre will collaborate with Cycle Inspect to assess the magnitude of the issue and examine experiences of people impacted by structural equipment failure.
Cycle Inspect has been developing technology and training for this purpose.
The research will provide crucial insights into the condition of carbon fibre bicycles in real-world scenarios.
"We are thrilled to join forces with Dr Soufiane Boufous, Dr Julie Hatfield and UNSW for this important research initiative," says Dr Andrew Novak, Data and Research Lead at Cycle Inspect.
"By combining our expertise as the industry’s first data-driven training and technology solution for bicycle industry professionals in the area of non-destructive testing (NDT) with UNSW’s in-depth knowledge of injury epidemiology, we hope to raise awareness of the extent of the issue.
"Ultimately, this research will benefit cyclists around the world, empowering them to make responsible decisions that ensure equipment longevity,” Dr Novak says.
He says the insights gained from the research will include analysis of the broader health and financial impacts and risks related to structural failures of carbon fibre bicycle frames and components. The work will also look at the correlation between various forms of visible and underlying damage (sustained via impact, manufacturing processes) and failure risk.
He says Cycle Inspect seeks to raise awareness of the risks associated with buying, selling, and using damaged or defective equipment, and provide bicycle industry professionals (mechanics, repairers, painters, builders etc.) and aligned industries (such as specialty bicycle insurers) with the skills, knowledge, and technology to make informed decisions regarding the safety of their customers.
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