News just in. The UCI have updated their rules on wearable cameras in mountain bike racing. Again.
Revision of Technical Regulation 10.4
10.4 The use in competition of cameras attached to riders, cycles or helmets is prohibited, unless previously authorised in writing by the BC Board.
Unless prohibited by the regulations of individual disciplines, onboard cameras are permitted during practice or designated training sessions, but the use of such cameras is authorised solely when the camera is attached to the bicycle. The rider is solely responsible for securing the fixation of the camera in order to avoid any danger or distraction.
Note: In April 2015, the UCI revised its regulations concerning the use of onboard cameras to restrict their use solely to those attached to bicycles. This follows concerns which have arisen over the use of cameras attached to, or incorporated within helmets. The UCI has published conditions under which it might authorise the use of such cameras in the future, but has indicated that it has received no evidence that such conditions prevail at the present time, and has recommended that onboard camera manufacturers and helmet manufacturers work together in order to devise a model of helmet camera which can be approved.
British Cycling has the discretion to vary its domestic regulations from those of the UCI in many areas, but has resolved to follow the lead of the UCI in this matter. Consequently, these conditions will apply until further notice.
UCI Summary Statement (21 Apr 2015)
The UCI, as the world governing body for the sport of cycling, places safety of the riders among its priority concerns. As a result and until further notice, onboard cameras shall be solely authorised on bicycles. This general rule is currently being harmonised across all cycling disciplines governed by the UCI Regulations.
What does that mean?
According to the rules, wearable cameras are now only allowed if they are mounted on to a rider’s bike. So, no helmet mounting, no chesty mounting, no shoulder mounting. Handlebar or frame mounts are all OK.
“The UCI has published conditions under which it might authorise the use of such cameras in the future, but has indicated that it has received no evidence that such conditions prevail at the present time”
Interestingly, the UCI have published their conditions for where they would approve the use of helmet mounted cameras and are calling for the industry to update designs to match their proposals.
This seems to suggest that they want to see certain designs exist for mounting cameras to helmets. The UCI “has received no evidence that such conditions prevail at the present time” meaning that (for now) it’s a no go. They have called for camera manufacturer’s to work with helmet manufacturers to produce “a model of helmet camera which can be approved”.
