I am now completely against using aero bars after my crash on Sunday during a sprint triathlon. Any unexpected bump or quick hill can make you unbalanced and in my case, I turned to look behind me before passing another biker and due to using aero bars on my road bike, my bike swerved (it was very unbalanced) and I could not control it at all and crashed and really injured myself. I know that they say practice helps and perhaps it does, but I still say it is not safe. I would much rather finish the race the best I can without aero bars than finish in the emergency room! 6 weeks earlier I saw a woman in a pack of 3 bikers who was just behind one of the bikers and he swerved to miss a little girl who stepped into the street. The woman could not stop because of her aero bars and she crashed just as I did and had a concussion as well. There is no way they are safe. If you dare to use them then I would suggest elbow and wrist guards and whatever else you can protect yourself because eventually you may crash as well. Is it worth the extra speed? Only if you are on a nice course that is wide open and very long distance and have little chance of being suprised - and you are willing to take the chance.