SAFE Cycling

Cycling and mountain biking are endurance sports. A realistic self-assessment and being in good health help sportsmen & women to cope with the positive effects on the heart, circulation and muscles. For a positive experience, avoid being under time pressure and increase the intensity and length of your tours slowly.

A lack of strength and conditioning increases the risk of accidents and reduces the fun of mountain biking. A lack of fitness, recent illness or advanced age are good reasons to undergo a physical examination by sports medical professional who can help you to better assess your own limits. Keep in mind: Regular fitness and strength training will increase your enjoyment considerably.

Specialist literature, maps, the internet and local experts are valuable aids when choosing a bike tour that matches your skill and fitness levels. Always adjust your tour to suit the group, weather, and current conditions. Solo bikers beware: even small incidents can lead to serious emergencies.

Pay attention to the weather forecast. Rain, cold and heat increase the risk of accidents. Technical difficulty levels are not standardized for mountain biking. As a result, start out any tour in unknown terrain in a relaxed manner in order to keep up your strength for any surprises along the way. When riding in a group, all riders must be fit and technically up to the demands of the tour in order to avoid becoming overwhelmed.

Prevent erosion damage by not riding cross-country. Only use suitable roads and official cycle trails and respect local closures and regulations to avoid conflicts with land owners, road owners and other outdoor users.

Shortcuts and detours off the beaten track are forbidden and absolutely "uncool" as they destroy our natural environment.

Thoroughly check your bike’s brakes, air pressure, wheel tightness, suspension and gears before every ride. Performing a professional maintenance check every year ensures that your bike is in perfect technical condition. To ensure good posture, optimally adjust your sitting position.

Pack warm clothing, rain and wind protection, and repair and first aid kits in your backpack along with a mobile phone (European emergency no. is 112), torch and sufficient food and drink. Gloves and glasses will protect your hands and eyes. A map or GPS are valuable orientation tools.

Regardless of whether you’re riding uphill or cruising downhill, always wear a helmet! In case of a fall or collision, a helmet can prevent head injuries or even save your life. Wearing protectors can prevent injuries.
Make sure that the helmet fits well and check that it is closed before every ride. Back protectors designed to prevent spinal column injuries are usually already integrated into modern bike backpacks. For more technically demanding trails, it is also recommended to wear knee and elbow protectors. Keep in mind that you are often faster on your bike than in a car when riding down forest trails... but without the benefit of a seatbelt or an airbag!

Pay attention to pedestrians by signalling your approach early and reducing your speed. Stop if necessary. A friendly greeting fosters a good relationship. Bike in small groups and avoid trails heavily used by hikers. Treat others politely and respectfully. It is good karma to briefly let others know how many are coming after you and to say "thank you!"

By braking in a controlled manner so that the wheels do not lock, you can do your part to prevent soil erosion and damage to the trail. Take your rubbish with you and avoid making noise. Considerate braking is of course also relevant to safety. Experts teach the correct riding and trail-protecting braking technique in mountain bike courses. Packing up your own rubbish is of course a matter of course, taking the rubbish of others with you down into the valley is particularly exemplary behaviour!

Dogs:
Please use dog waste bags along the cycle trails to avoid polluting the pastures and the natural environment. Do your part to keep the landscape clean. To avoid problems with pedestrians, please keep dogs on a lead!

Dusk is the time when wildlife typically feed. Bike during daylight hours to avoid disturbing them. Approach animals at walking pace and close any gates behind you. Avoid fast or hasty movements. Keep calm in the forest and don’t make any unnecessary noise.