> I'd imagine the greatest risk of injury from a drone would be it failing and falling from a significant height
Not if you are trying to replicate a motorcycle camera angle. The motos get very close not only to the athletes, but also to the audience. Not just because they can't fly, but also because that low camera angle is desirable.
> but it can't be beyond the wit of man to outfit a drone to take decent quality stills?
The stills are mostly for closeups. You would not even be able to get that angle with a drone carrying a reasonably sized camera, because the rotors would not only be in the image, they would also be in the face of the subject.
Drones might find some niche in broadcasting road cycling if they get safety and regulations sorted out (tough problem with basically unrestricted audience access), but not replacing motorcycles and helicopters. Smaller races that don't have helicopters will surely add drone angles, just like many have recently started to introduce their first motorcycle camera thanks to price drops.
Not if you are trying to replicate a motorcycle camera angle. The motos get very close not only to the athletes, but also to the audience. Not just because they can't fly, but also because that low camera angle is desirable.
> but it can't be beyond the wit of man to outfit a drone to take decent quality stills?
The stills are mostly for closeups. You would not even be able to get that angle with a drone carrying a reasonably sized camera, because the rotors would not only be in the image, they would also be in the face of the subject.
Drones might find some niche in broadcasting road cycling if they get safety and regulations sorted out (tough problem with basically unrestricted audience access), but not replacing motorcycles and helicopters. Smaller races that don't have helicopters will surely add drone angles, just like many have recently started to introduce their first motorcycle camera thanks to price drops.