Your Safety

 

Mountain Biking and cycling in general is great fun but there can be an element of risk involved. Here are a few tips to help you reduce that risk and stay safe:

Your Equipment Have you got all the necessary equipment? A safety helmet is essential but also consider other protective equipment, e.g. cycling gloves, eye protection. Carry out a quick maintenance check on your bike before setting off. Consider taking spares, an extra inner tube for instance. If it’s a new bike or one you’re not used to, take time to familiarise yourself with it before attempting anything difficult.
Your Environment Check the weather forecast first, and make sure you take suitable clothing. For longer rides, make sure you take enough food and especially water. Apply sunscreen. When riding in the sun, here are some obvious (and one or two less obvious) spots to protect: scalp face and nose ears back of the neck forearms and shoulders lower back (the gap between the top of your shorts and the bottom of your shirt) knees and calves
On the Trails Choose the trail that best suits your abilities. Don’t be afraid to get off and walk sections you don’t feel confident riding. Keep your speed at a level where you can react easily to any unforeseen obstacles or changes in the trail. take extra care on trails you’re not familiar with. be aware of what’s going on around you. give way to walkers, horses and vehicles. Keep away from forest operations such as tree felling and timber loading.

The Visitor Safety Project

Due to the huge increase in the popularity of mountain biking, the Forestry Commission is running a two-year project to raise and coordinate visitor safety standards across the entire national forest estate in Britain. The aim is to both increase safety and build more robust, technically challenging trails. Further information can be found on the Visitor Safety Project page.