The tragedy of Gino Mader's accidental death at the Tour de Suisse has prompted the Tour de France to strengthen safety measures, with Adam Hansen, president of the Cyclistes Professionnels Associés (CPA) riders' association, leading the charge.

Hansen has emphasized the potential dangers on the course and has communicated his concerns to the organizer ASO, which is in charge of selecting the Tour de France's route. As a result, there has been a marked increase in the use of pads, especially in dangerous downhill sections, such as the two downhill finishes of stages 14 and 17 of the Tour.

This may be the first time in history that riders have directly spoken out about safety measures. Cycling News spoke with the Australian about his efforts to accomplish so much in such a short time as CPA president.

Hansen previewed the two trickiest descents of the 2023 Tour de France, with onboard video of the downhill finish from the Col de Joux Plain (stage 14) and Wednesday's descent from the Col de la Rose (stage 17), along with rider with advice to the riders.

He also confirmed with ASO that there is additional padding in the turns and appealed to riders to stay within their limits.

While hay bales and air pads may not completely prevent riders from crashing, Hansen says: "These little things help a lot. I really believe that."

The meeder crash is one of several tragic accidents that have occurred in recent years. With each death or permanent disability caused by a fall, the UCI seems to try to add safety measures, but so far it has only provided guidelines for races. For example, after the death of Andre Kibilev in Paris-Nice, a helmet requirement was added, and more recently, the UCI banned the dumping of super tack and bidons except in certain zones.

The UCI has been reluctant to make demands on race organizers: after Fabio Jacobsen's life-threatening injuries at the 2020 Tour de Pollogne were caused by unstable barriers at the finish, the UCI finally created standards for barriers, but they were only suggestions.

Hansen hopes these guidelines will be integrated into the UCI rules.

"That's how I got everyone's attention. When I was talking to the riders, I said, 'These barriers are just guidelines. This is wrong.'"

According to him, organizers are all for improving the safety of the infrastructure, but are reluctant to take steps until the UCI gives them rules to follow.

"The big organizers actually have the money and want to buy or build barriers, but they are waiting for the UCI to say which barriers are better. But they are waiting for the UCI to tell them which barriers are better. They don't want to invest and have the UCI define barriers that don't conform to the barriers they have created.

Tour de France organizers primarily use interlocking barriers with flat surfaces covered with signs for sprint finishes, but some events still use barriers with curved legs that can catch on riders' pedals.

"I disagree with these guidelines," Hansen says. The rider says, "I'm happy with this," and the organizer says, "Yes, this is fine." And the UCI makes it a rule, not a guideline; there would be no reason for the UCI not to follow it. If the organizer says yes, and the rider asks for it, then all the responsibility is on the rider."

While the Tour de France is the most prominent stage to test safety measures, Hansen has bigger things in mind.

"It would be nice to have it at the Tour de France, but the goal is to have it at every race. We've had a few discussions with the men's and women's riders in the continental races. There is a lot of attention on the men's World Tour. If it is a UCI rule, it will spill over to the women's race, it will spill over to the continental race. So first we have to show everyone that it can happen and that it is possible."

There are several other groups working to make races safer, and their techniques have appeared in high-profile races. Safe Cycling Race has lent LED signs to warn riders of traffic furniture and tight turns, and Beauplan has created a plastic barrier without protrusions that lowers spectators back more to prevent collisions.

The tragic death of Meader in Switzerland highlighted the need for more efforts to protect riders, but Hansen has made rider safety his mission since running for CPA president.

"When I asked the riders on the UAE tour what their real concerns were, they said three big things: safety, safety, and safety. So I told them I would work on improving their safety. That's what the riders want and that's why I've been talking to the organizers individually."

Hansen will be gathering feedback from riders on a variety of topics, including how marshals should warn riders of obstacles and narrow roads, where they should be placed, how far away from the sprint finish should the final corner or descent be, how bikes should pass the peloton, or how they should fall back, etc. He has collected feedback from riders on topics. He has also been working closely with Michael Rogers, the UCI's head of innovation, who is working on the first steps of the new SafeR project.

"I am gathering all the information and developing a set of rules. And once we agree on them, I'll submit them to the UCI.

He acknowledged that it would be difficult to implement safety measures like blow-up pads on the descent from the Col de la Rose in all UCI races or to monitor all courses, but says the UCI needs to act and enforce the rules.

"If we don't help hold someone accountable, nothing will improve."

After the descent to Courchevel, Hansen described the finish as "pretty wild" and was pleased that organizers had addressed the hazards with a wall of giant inflatable pads.

"It's a very narrow path, and my biggest concern when we were scouting was that if you went to the edge, you'd land on the rocks. I'm really glad we got something like this done."

Photos of the giant pad became a hot topic on social media and drew attention from race organizers.

"A pretty big race called the Czech Tour called me today to find out where they get their barriers and to use them in their own races.

"My next goal is to find a company that can manufacture these at a low cost. Plus, I like the fact that it's a blow-up. It's what the riders want. And it doesn't take up a lot of space to transport, and I'm going to source it at a low cost and offer it to organizers."

Hansen has been quite vocal on social media about his ideas and initiatives, making the usually restrained cycling actors nervous.

"A lot of people complain that there is no transparency in the CPA. So I really wanted to show transparency in everything I do. I think some people are a little afraid of my behavior. But if they are afraid, that means they are doing something wrong. Because I am just working for the greater good. So I'm a little outspoken. But I don't think I'm saying anything wrong."

While UCI tackles the SafeR project, which will inevitably get bogged down in bureaucracy, Hansen is moving forward with a direct approach.

"I got a call last night from a rider about the Vuelta, and there is a downhill start (on stage 12). So I am going to contact the organizers of the Vuelta about the downhill start."

"You can't change everything overnight, but things are certainly moving in the right direction."