Mountain Bike Personal Safety

The sport of Mountain biking will always be dangerous and you should take precautions and be prepared for an incident. It is a good idea to learn some first aid and be able to use it.

You should always wear a helmet, some people think that they don't need one, but anyone who has an accident will never be caught without a helmet.

You should always carry a mobile phone, or another type of communication device, in case of emergency and make a note of the relevant telephone numbers for emergency services.

Mountain biking is full of risks so you should be aware of the consequences when taking these risks. Another thing worth considering is that helicopters cannot fly in low visibilty and may not be able to fly out to rescue you in the event of an accident. In bad weather, you should naturally take fewer risks and try to stay near to a 4x4 track where the emergency services can get a vehicle to you.

Mountain Biking Resources

Make sure your cycle helmet fits properly

The side straps on your helmet should form a V-shape around the ear with the adjuster just below the ear lobe. The front strap will keep the front of the helmet in place while the rear strap prevents the helmet from falling over your eyes. Common mistakes are having one strap too loose, or completely messing up the fit either by pulling the back of the helmet down or pulling the rear strap over the ear.

Most modern helmets have some sort of strap on the back to keep the helmet in place. This should fit neatly just under the base of the skull, centred evenly with the tension from each of the side straps.

If you are buying a full face helmet make sure you are able to try on a range of helmets in a shop. The helmet should be a tight fit so that the chinstrap is there only to stop it from coming off rather than holding it in place. The same also applies to body armour in that you should always get a chance to try some on to find the brand and size that fits best.