"With regard to Air-fences, I agree they should be mandatory in Premier League but also in Conference League, which seems to be forgotten in some of these debates. I'm sure all riders would trade a few meetings wages for peace of mind in contributing to the cost of installing them, just as they did in the Elite League. Conference League riders may have to forego a few more meetings wages than those in Premier League but surely it is the lesser of two evils? However, not all accidents are preventable of course. We have seen a lot of serious incidents this season but according to reports, it seems an air-fence would not have helped the unfortunate Garry Stead as he was run over by another rider. Stuart Robson though, would probably be hobbling around by now had he had an air cushion to break his fall. I believe every rider should now put pressure on the authorities to make air-fences standard in all leagues as of 2008, if not before. "

"It is important to bear in mind the reason air fences were introduced into the UK - Television. It was always hoped that the space could be sold to a blue chip sponsor and it was important that each track had a similar appearance to help sell it. Rider safety was never the primary issue which is why these fences are not homologated, do not have a quality standard rating based on research and development or why there are no studies to establish if indeed they do improve rider safety.

To act in the same way as a catchment fence they have to be free standing and absorb the impact, rider and machine so that they give substantially. When they are mounted on an existing fence they only absorb the impact and then ricochet the rider and or machine back on to the track, possibly in front of following competitors and because of the lack of a catch facility have launched rider and machine over the top.

The greatest danger in racing today is being run over by a competitor, bikes are so fast that riders have only split seconds to lay down but as the skills mix is so varied at the moment there are many relatively inexperienced youngsters 'flying' in every league and have not the skill to expertly put a bike down at racing speed. Air fences that catch and retain the competitor will help but slowing the technology down will have a more beneficial effect in the long run."

"One of the best and well put articles I've read. Absolute no brainer, as is suggested. Principle is simple - air fences save lives and reduce risk of serious injury, whether the rider concerned is the world champion or a novice coming out for his first ride - every life has the same value - priceless."

"Unfortunately the recent tragedies involving Gary Stead in the UK and Kenny Olsson in Sweden (a rider I watched with pleasure at Glasgow in 2002) only reinforce the argument that speedway must be made as safe as it possibly can be. In which case it has to be compulsory that air fences are installed at every speedway track - it might make it financially difficult for the odd track, but if it makes the difference between a rider having a life after a crash (or not), how can you possibly equate cost with that kind of alternative? I didn't know that in some instances an air fence had been paid for by a track putting on a beginning of season challenge where the teams race for no payment, but if that's what it takes, or punters make up the cost in some other way, then surely it beats the price paid by Gary or Kenny in recent weeks, or so many other riders over the years?"

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