The UCI has revised its rules and regulations to include more specific guidelines for the peloton approaching a level crossing at a set of railroad tracks. Revisions to the rules became a priority after riders continued crossing over train tracks after the barriers had closed at Paris-Roubaix last April, just seconds before a high-speed TGV train arrived.
The original text in the UCI Rules and Regulations handbook stated that the riders were forbidden to cross a level crossing when the barrier is down. However, some suggested that text was left open to interpretation, and that if the level crossing wasn’t completely closed then it was OK to cross.
As seen at Paris-Roubaix, the front end of the main peloton barrelled through the level crossing when the red lights were flashing and the barriers were beginning to close. The riders continued crossing even after the barriers had completely closed.
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Race officials did not disqualify the large group of riders because they said it was impossible to stop the peloton when the barriers began closing as the riders were just 10 metres away. They neutralised the front end of the peloton that had gotten through the level crossing to allow the second portion of the field to catch back up after the train had passed.
The French national railway company SNCF described the riders' actions as "extremely grave and irresponsible actions which could have been tragic." In addition, the UCI requested a comprehensive report following the incident.
The incident prompted the UCI to adjust the level crossing rule 2.3.034, which now states “It shall be strictly forbidden to cross level crossings when the barrier is down or closing, the warning signal ringing or flashing."
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