Very interesting news today that the British Downhill Series (BDS) have taken the decision to ban google tear-offs from their races (there are unconfirmed rumours that this was after enduro race orgainsers decided to ban tear-offs at a meeting on Monday). It is a bold move that should be applauded. It sends out a clear message that basically pulling at tear-off off and dropping it on the floor is littering. Now we don’t want to come across all ‘nanny state’ or anything here, but we should all take responsibility for this. And anyway, doesn’t the plastic that tear-offs are made from take like a million years or something to biodegrade!?
It shouldn’t be too hard to police at the races as riders get onto the uplift, but of course it can’t really be stopped at venues where people can ride freely. And will we start seeing more riders using roll-off systems instead in the future? Watch this space…
Here is the official word from the BDS:
“ ‘Tear Off’ lenses on goggles are prohibited. A system where the transparent plastic lenses are retained within the device and are not discarded is allowed.
From immediate effect the BDS will not allow the use of tear-offs at their events. Listing environmental issues as our main concern for this ban, this new ruling will be included into the 2016 rule book for the BDS.
The BDS team has always considered the collection of used tear-offs along the race track and surrounding areas as one of their roles and responsibilities. With increased pressure environmentally, due to the nature of the disposal of tear-offs we can not guarantee 100% pick up of said litter. Think of venues like Fort William and Moelfre when on a windy day the tear-offs may well end up in the next county. Hence the reasoning for the inclusion of this new ruling.”
