3B.3 Rider Identification
This discussion has an associated proposal. View Proposal Details here.Comments about this discussion:
Started
3B.3 Rider Identification
Riders must wear their race number(s) fixed at the four corners, clearly visible on their
chest and, when required, on their back so that it is visible during the race and as the rider
crosses the finish line. Riders must use the officially provided race number unmodified
in any manner. Numbers should not be folded, trimmed, or otherwise defaced. Referee
approval must be sought to modify a number plate if it cannot otherwise be attached
securely due to hydration pack, rider physique or posture when riding. Lost or damaged
race numbers must be replaced with approval by referee. Additionally, riders may be
required to wear a chip for electronic timing.
A number on the chest is not well visible during the race.
I would strongly consider changing the location of the number from chest to the thighs, arms, and helmet.
To understand my point it is enough to look on those two pictures:
https://unicycling.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2025-02-03-Gert-Jan-De-Vleeschouwer.jpg
https://unicycling.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2025-02-03-Timo-Hirschmann.jpg
I was noting numbers on the finish line at Unicon 20, and it was difficult to pick up the number, especially when multiple riders cross the line together. Current placement is not good for photo finishes.
Comment
> A number on the chest is not well visible during the race.
I would strongly consider changing the location of the number from chest to the thighs, arms, and helmet.
I would completely agree with your first sentence, in road races it is indeed very difficult to recognize bib numbers on the chest - although it has to be said that many athletes also place their bib numbers on their stomach rather than on their chest and they therefore sit very low.
I take a critical view of the second statement. The bib numbers that are currently used are generally not designed to be attached to the thighs, arms or helmet. There are numerous competitions in which passive chips are used that are attached directly to the bib number. Attaching them to the helmet might not work at all or might significantly reduce the reliability of the system due to the greater distance to the antenna.
The rules already stipulate that race numbers should also be attached to the back, which is precisely because they are much better visible here.
In my opinion, however, it could be included that the organizer can require an additional (or alternative) number - which must then also be designed accordingly - to be attached to the thighs, arms or helmet. With the current start numbers, I don't think it makes much sense to attach them anywhere other than the chest and back.
Comment
I fully agree, and I think that the main number should be on the chest or on the back, but there should be another set of numbers provided for the use on thighs or helmet.
Comment
I agree that the number on the chest/stomach is annoying for the rider and pretty useless for identification. I would propose to only require a single number, mounted on the back.
If redundancy is required I would rather mount two numbers on the back.
Comment
I would definitely leave the option of requiring start numbers on the chest in the rules - otherwise there could be problems with passive chips. If an organizer can and wants to do without it, it would be okay in my opinion, as long as start numbers are placed elsewhere.
Comment
I agree with what has already been said.
The bib on the chest is increasingly useless and annoying. It's a rule that comes from running. This rule is suitable for track races, but with the increasingly systematic use of handlebars, it's no longer suitable for road races.
Bib numbers are useful when photofinish is required (for chip problems or tie-breaking). Bib numbers are useful in the event of a problem between participants (contest) or to apply a penalty. Bib are a way of advertising sponsors.
For the photofinish, the ideal would be to display a number on the side. This could be done with a frame plate. It could, for example, be attached to the seatpost or seat tube with 2 plastic clamps.
I'd be in favor of a bib on the back and a plate attached to the seatpost towards the rear. This would make it possible to identify a rider in all circumstances.
Comment
The seatpost plate is not a good idea - it can significantly increase the cost, but also some unicycle designs do not include seatposts (Nimbus Nightfox).
For the side number, the sticker on the helmet is probably the cheapest, easiest and most durable solution.
To avoid too much complexity, I would suggest to create a rule that states that an identification number of the competitor must be visible from forward, from the back and from both sides. It is good to have the number visible from forward, but from the sides and back it is a must. Organizer should provide material adequate to the method of marking he found most suitable.
Comment
... the number should be visible while in riding position!
Comment
Stickering the side of the helmet may be a good option, although it adds a cost and complexity to organizing where one must provide numbered sticker in addition to bib numbers (which already are frequently provided paired). Doesn’t seem a deal breaker though. I think prescribing the back (which may or may not contain a chip) and one specific side (or both) of the helmet might be a good way forward.
If i recall correctly, mat style chip readers are less consistent when used through the body, as would be the case with hunched over riders on handlebars. I’m not certain how big the impact may be.
Comment
You are correct with limitations of chip readers and there are much more than you mentioned. The organizator should be aware of the limitations of the timing system he is planning to use. I think that this topic qualifies to to be discussed by Main Committee, as it covers many disciplines.
Comment
> If i recall correctly, mat style chip readers are less consistent when used through the body, as would be the case with hunched over riders on handlebars. I’m not certain how big the impact may be.
This is definitely the case - that's why I would still allow organizers to require bib numbers on the chest, especially if an appropriate timing system with passive chips on the bibs is used. To require organizers to use only specific timing systems could be a serious problem for many smaller events, so I would definitely be against it.
As I said, I think it's perfectly fine if the organizer decides to use additional or alternative bib numbers to those on the chest and we should definitely include in the rules that the riders must then wear them according to the organizer's specifications. But I wouldn't ban/prohibit star numbers on the chest by rule, because that could be a serious problem for some events.
Comment
In my opinion, a distinction must be made between the bib number and the chip (which is another matter).
Admittedly, in practice, there are often 2-in-1 solutions, but I think the rulebook needs to make the distinction. While the rulebook should not prohibit the wearing of bibs on the torso, it should not recommend it.
The chips glued to the bibs are passive, single-use chips. Passive chips are the least efficient (there are several parameters to take into account, but in comparable situations, it's less effective than an active chip), and single-use is the least durable. Given the risk of misreading these chips, they should be combined with a photofinish system. If these bib-chips fail and cannot be seen, they require the use of an additional visible bib number.
A sticker on the helmet might be a good option, but it could be perceived as a degradation of the equipment. As for the cost, I don't know if it's cheaper than another solution.
As for a frame plate, the unit cost is around €0.50 and I think it would be very easy to use for almost all competitors. For a nighfox frame, I think the frame plate could be located on one of the 2 fork arms. A device of this type has the advantage of identifying the unicycle. Standard category unicycles are checked at the start and not at the finish, and this could be useful for the application of rule 3B.5.7.
Comment
> In my opinion, a distinction must be made between the bib number and the chip (which is another matter).
You're right, this distinction makes absolute sense.
> Given the risk of misreading these chips, they should be combined with a photofinish system. If these bib-chips fail and cannot be seen, they require the use of an additional visible bib number.
For very large events like Unicon, I would agree with you - however, we must always bear in mind that these rules are also used by other events with far fewer participants, and here too the rules should allow practical competitions. Therefore, in my opinion, it does not make sense to prescribe the use of a photo finish system for all competitions in general if passive chips are used. It is often sufficient, for example, to run a normal video at the finish to determine the time if the chips are not working. Backup timing by hand would also be conceivable here.
> A sticker on the helmet might be a good option, but it could be perceived as a degradation of the equipment. As for the cost, I don't know if it's cheaper than another solution.
> As for a frame plate, the unit cost is around €0.50 and I think it would be very easy to use for almost all competitors.
Here, too, I would say that the additional costs are certainly manageable for larger events. For smaller events, it may well lead to hosts questioning whether a road race should be offered at all or whether they would rather do without it, which in my opinion would send out the completely wrong signal.
I would include in the rules that the organizer of a competition can demand that these additional numbers are worn, no question - but I would not include that an organizer must always provide them. Depending on the type of event, it may be perfectly sufficient to have a race number on the chest and/or back.
And if a special regulation for Unicon is desired, then this can either be explicitly included as rule for Unicons or included in the agreement between the IUF and the Unicon organizer that certain bib numbers, timing systems, etc. are used.
Comment
Since I believe that this is an important topic and that an update of the existing rule would be justified, I will make a concrete suggestion so that things can continue here:
3B.3 Rider Identification
3B.3.1 Race Numbers
1. Riders must wear their race number in accordance with the organizer's instructions so that it is clearly visible during the race and when crossing the finish line. The recommended position for the start number is on the back. Organizers may provide special race numbers for the helmet, arms or hips, so that the riders can be identified from the side during the race.
2. Riders must use the officially provided race number unmodified in any manner. Numbers should not be folded, trimmed, or otherwise defaced. Referee
approval must be sought to modify a race number if it cannot otherwise be attached securely due to hydration pack, rider physique or posture when riding. Lost or damaged race numbers must be replaced with approval by referee.
3B.3.2 Chips for Electronic Timing
1. Riders may be required to wear a chip for electronic timing. This chip can be attached as a disposable chip to a race number, which may have to be worn on the chest.
The proposal takes into account that start numbers on the chest are not preferable for most road races without explicitly prohibiting them - for small events and especially for standard 24 class races, it may be perfectly okay for the organizer and participants if a start number is placed on the chest. However, the position on the back is recommended, making it clear that this is the preferred position. At the same time, the rule gives the organizers the option of providing additional start numbers for the arms, hips or helmet to allow identification of the rider from the side.
Comment
I agree with the wording, I would make a delicate change in following:
>1. Riders may be required to wear a chip for electronic timing. This chip can be attached as a disposable chip to a race number, which may have to be worn on the chest.
1. Riders may be required to wear an electronic timing chip, as specified by the timing personnel. This chip may be attached, among other methods, as a disposable tag to the race number, which may have to be worn on the chest.
Comment
I'm fine with that. What do all the other members of this committee think about the proposed rule?
Comment
When I mentioned photofinish, it wasn't to impose it in the rules, but it seems to me that photofinish was used as a back-up solution for the classification of road races at UNICON20, where we only had a passive chip attached to the bib positioned on the torso. Ken was race director, he should be able to confirm or deny this.
So, I doubt that these chips will perform better on the torso. Why do you think it's better to put a passive chip on the torso than on the lower back? At the front there's no interference with the handlebars?
I'm sorry to disgress, but I need to understand.
As for the race number, as Maksym pointed out when he opened the discussion, races are organized in which the riders don't have a visible race number. We could almost say that this isn't a problem, because there's no team of competitors all wearing the same clothes, and finishes are made in small groups or individually. But it still seems important to have at least one race number visible, because it shows that it's a race, and in the event of protest or the need for the photofinish, if you can see a number without having to know the identity of all the runners, it's easier.
All in all, I agree with Jan's proposal for race numbers, but I don't know if it's important to add precision for the passive chips attached to the race number. I have no evidence to suggest that this is a recommended timing solution for unicycle road races, and that the torso position is better for timing. And if this timing solution with the chip on the torso is a good method, then I'd suggest recommending the addition of another visible race number (side or back).
Comment
I am not a timekeeper, but I think that passive chips that have to be read through the body (which is much more likely if the race number is attached to the back, especially if the body is slightly tilted forward) cannot be read as reliably as those that do not have to be read through the body. In any case, I have been to far more events where the timekeeper wanted the race numbers with passive chips on the front than at events where they should be attached to the back. In the end, I think the timekeeper has to know where the chip/race number is necessary for him and the rulebook should give him the necessary freedom.
Comment
The technology of the chips may vary. Since it is usually make fit for the runners who have the number on the chest, it may not necessary be suitable to install the chip in reverse (on the back). As Jan said, it is up to the timekeeper to make the decision. However, it is all about selection of compatible timing system.
In Grenoble 10k, the timing system failed. However we have not information what went wrong. Which is utterly bad in terms of learning from mistakes.
The backup was a times noted by hand (myself). The numbers were very important. Sometimes there was 4-5 people crossing the line at the same time. The numbers were not always visible, and we had to focus on another finishes.
Timing with chips should always be used with photo camera. It is not backup but support. First is the accuracy of the timing system and second is that the chip is never placed on the front of the tire. This is to solve the ties between riders who enter the finish line with the same registered time. However it only make sense between riders from the same wave or in Mass start.
Photofinishes are required by:
3D.12 Finishes
If finish times for a race are timed using microchips or other non-photographic electronic
equipment, finish order must be verified by photo timing equipment if the finishers are
within 0.1 seconds of each other. Also, in the case where a world record is suspected of
being set, the time must be verified with photo timing equipment.
As for timing accuraccy, it is specified here:
3D.16 Accuracy of Results
I see that we agree, therefore I will make a proposal.
Comment
I have seen that you have left out the numbering of the paragraphs in the proposal - I had deliberately integrated the numbering into my proposal, as in my opinion this has great advantages. When communicating with riders, the numbering makes it possible to refer specifically to individual paragraphs of a rule, and the numbering also offers the advantage of being able to clearly refer to a paragraph in future revisions or when transferring to other chapters of the rulebook. I would therefore very much welcome it if we added numbers to the paragraphs of the rules that we are revising anyway and sorted the content in such a way that each paragraph deals with a single aspect of the rule.
Comment
I think race numbers are important for manual recording, for instance with chip failures. It is also important to be able to read this with the rider coming towards you, and also riding away from the person recording.
On the back- it can easily be difficult to missed if the rider is going too fast, or hunched over, or difficult to tell finishing position at the finish line.
On the front- as mentioned- an increasing problem with the use of aerobars/longer handlebars and a hunched rider.
On frame- very hard to read
Oh the legs- no good for manual recording with a unicycle cadence, only good for video/photo-finish
In my experience of doing bike races on a unicycle, helmet stickers are the most reliable location for race numbers. It does not degrade equipment- you can minimise sticky residue by running the sticker over fabric/dust first.
I would propose not being too prescriptive, but recommend a number on the front of the helmet, and another race number attached to the rider's back. The timing chip could be anywhere based on the manufacturers recommendation (eg on the frame).
Comment
But do you think the proposed rule is too prescriptive? Essentially, the rule is intended to sensitize people to the fact that a race number on the chest is often not the ideal position and that additional race numbers elsewhere may be useful.
Or in other words: Would you want to change anything specifically in the proposal or would what you said be sufficiently covered?
Comment
@Maksym: Could you say something about omitting the numbering?
Comment
@Ken > I would propose not being too prescriptive, but recommend a number on the front of the helmet, and another race number attached to the rider's back. The timing chip could be anywhere based on the manufacturers recommendation (eg on the frame).
We are not to prescriptive, the current proposal gives the organizer flexibility on where the numbers should be displayed. The suggestion is that the number is carried on the rider's back. the timing chip can be located anywhere, as ordered by timing personnel.
I believe that recommending locations on helmet and and rider's back is the way to go. It is still only recommendation. If I was the race director on the Unicon, I would require numbers on the helmet and on the back.