Safety

Bike

A solid and safe bike is the best start to an enjoyable experience! Whilst a race specific bike isn't required for club level practice and events the following items should be adhered to:

• BMX bike, whilst technically some other style bikes can be used in certain classes it's really not advised.
• Remove reflectors, bell and other attached items that could come off bike during riding or in a collision.
• Consider removing front brake if fitted. In a race environment it's not required and it's one more thing that could cause injury in a collission.
• Coaster brake (reverse peddle brake), these are not easily removed on kids bikes but can cause accidents and are not recommended.
• A hand lever operated rear brake is all that is recommended.
• Remove training wheels, if the rider required them to ride consider trying a balance bike in the mini-wheelers classes.

Check the following items before each ride at the track:

• Adequate tyre pressure, check the recommended pressures on the tire and adjust accordingly.
• Chain tension, the chain doesn't need to be tight, however if its too loose or too tight it could come off or break causing a crash.
• All bolts are tight enough that they cannot move during riding or move significantly in a crash.

If you need some guidance contact someone from the club and I'm sure they would be happy to help and advise.

Rider Protection

Adequate rider protection is required in a race environment but we highly recommend it's used during any track riding.

• Full face (motocross style) helmet, ensure it meets Australian standards and is free from damage. Chin injury is commonly seen at tracks from conventional bike helmets and is not something we want any of our riders to suffer from.

• Full fingered enclosed gloves, even on a light fall the gravel is not pleasant.

• Long pants, proper BMX, mountain bike or motocross pants are recommended however other tear resistant pants can be used.

• Long sleeves, race style jersey (available in club design) is preferred but long sleeve t-shirt or jumper can be used for practice.

• Enclosed shoes, normal runners are fine but most prefer a skateboarding style shoe which grips the pedal well, or a mountain bike shoe.

• Eye glasses, if required ensure they are of a design that will limit injury in the case of a crash.

Other Riders

BMX is a sport where there can be many riders on the track at once, kids and 100kg+ adults. During gates and practice sessions it can be very mixed, however even in races, the next moto can start before the current moto has crossed the finish line.

• Be aware and encourage younger riders to be aware of larger, faster riders on the track, particular at practice sessions.
• If you are an larger or older rider, be alert to others on the track and back off if you need to.
• Try to ride as straight as possible and avoiding cutting across track on straights
• Don't stop on track unless you have to then move to the side
• Never ride the track backwards, even when using the track outside of club events. Sometimes, after club races riders are specially instructed to ride the track backwards, but always in a large, and under instruction from an official.
• If larger, faster riders are on track, wait until they pass before entering track
• Don't let small kids play too close to the track, especially the berms (banked corners).

Other tips

• Don't ride hard alone, accidents can happen and you may need someone to help.
• Beware of where you place your belongings when on track, nobody likes to ride with a pocket full of keys and expensive phone, but the last thing you want is someone accidentally taking your car keys home with them.
• If you see something that doesn't seem safe have a polite conversation with the person or parents.
• If there is debris or rubbish on the track or surrounds please place in a safe place (bin if possible).
• Encourage others and offer help if there is an incident.
• Please refrain from bringing dogs to track.