Yes mate. In my 20+ years of riding dh I've never broken a collar bone, let alone my spine. I put this down to learning to fall properly doing breakfall drills in jujitsu. Side fall, and diving front roll being the main falls used in mtb. Side fall involves not putting hand out and distributing impact across whole side; good for loss of traction fall on corners, skidding out sideways. Diving front roll like a commando roll for going out front over the bars.
Over the years the geometry has slackened, size of wheels length of wheelbase and size of cockpit have increased. Suspension has also evolved dramatically. This makes the bikes much safer and more stable at higher speeds. The bigger cockpit area has less responsive pitch and yaw, giving riders an increased sense of security. So the bikes are "safer". But this just means riders are going faster. The style of trail has evolved with this as well. Well manicured, wide bike park trails have got much faster with massive jumps. These types of trails are generally easier to ride than slower, more technical terrain and give maximum thrill at higher velocities. Amateur riders today are doing stuff even the best pro's could barely attempt 25 years ago.
I would like to see complimentary stats for age and years of experience riding, as it wouldn't surprise me if a lot of these folks are starting downhill as a midlife crisis and the modern bikes make them feel invincible. Everyone trying to do this sport at a higher level is going to get hurt at some point though.
They mention the costs, but what about the overall benefits to health, wellbeing and the economy.
Downhill is my main passion in life, it's so much more than just a thrill, and it's such a privilege to be able to enjoy it.
These became popular for mtb, some riders still use them. REason for not using them is the 2 main designs either transfer load to collar bone, or further down the spine. Many rider complained of getting a worse injury for the velocity of impact.
