RIDING SAFETY
TRAIL ETIQUETTE
Following proper trail etiquette is critical in order to maintain access to backroad areas and protect the Club's reputation. Refer to the following link to see ATVBC's guide to trail etiquette .
CHAINSAW SAFETY
Chainsaws are an essential tool for ATV riding. They can be very dangerous if not operated properly. There are many videos on safety available on Youtube. Here are a few to start with:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2-CQDStgiY.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqrV73Q1SPU
RIDING DIFFICULTY SCALE
The rating scale is the same as the scale used at ski hills and is used at the Bear Creek off-road area and other designated riding areas in the Province. Ratings are "maximum"; ie. most of the trail may be "Green" but there may be an obstacle or difficult section that would raise the rating to "Blue".
* Green (Circle) - safe for beginner riders, these trails/rides will typically be on forest service roads and trails that are fairly flat and don't have off-camber slopes, bumps, ditches or obstacles. A beginner rider should be in their comfort zone on all green trails. To use the ski hill analogy these types of trails would range from the bunny hill up to gentle cruiser runs on a ski hill.
* Blue (Square) - safe for intermediate level experience riders, trails/rides may have greater slopes, ditches and obstacles. A beginner rider will be challenged moderately by sections of blue trails, intermediate riders will be comfortable. In the ski industry the greatest number of runs are typically blue.
* Black (Diamond) - meant for experienced riders, these trails/rides will have sections that have steep slopes, larger ditches or obstacles to traverse. Intermediate riders will be challenged by sections of black trails, experienced riders comfortable with most. At a ski hill such trails are more difficult and have more obstacles, moguls, etc.
* Double Black (Diamond) - only safe for very experienced riders, these trails will have steep slopes, ditches and obstacles that may require winching or help from riding buddies to clear some sections.
Trail difficulty can increase with inclement weather, deadfall, washouts, rockslides and industrial use. A difficult trail for one person may be moderate for another.
SAFE RIDING PRACTICES
When riding always remember that you are responsible for the person BEHIND you:
1. After crossing a difficult spot wait to see that they made it okay.
2. At forks in the trail wait until they catch up and can see you before moving off again.
3. After not seeing them for a while stop and wait until they come into sight.
4. If the group gets split up stop and wait for the riders AHEAD to come back to you. Keep everybody together.
When encountering a situation where a rider is uncomfortable with an obstacle or difficult section of trail then:
1. Don't get in a hurry.
2. Collectively think the whole process through from start to finish. Consider what could go wrong and be sure to select the most experienced and capable person to be in charge.
3. Consider alternatives such as:
TRAIL ETIQUETTE
Following proper trail etiquette is critical in order to maintain access to backroad areas and protect the Club's reputation. Refer to the following link to see ATVBC's guide to trail etiquette .
CHAINSAW SAFETY
Chainsaws are an essential tool for ATV riding. They can be very dangerous if not operated properly. There are many videos on safety available on Youtube. Here are a few to start with:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2-CQDStgiY.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqrV73Q1SPU
RIDING DIFFICULTY SCALE
The rating scale is the same as the scale used at ski hills and is used at the Bear Creek off-road area and other designated riding areas in the Province. Ratings are "maximum"; ie. most of the trail may be "Green" but there may be an obstacle or difficult section that would raise the rating to "Blue".
* Green (Circle) - safe for beginner riders, these trails/rides will typically be on forest service roads and trails that are fairly flat and don't have off-camber slopes, bumps, ditches or obstacles. A beginner rider should be in their comfort zone on all green trails. To use the ski hill analogy these types of trails would range from the bunny hill up to gentle cruiser runs on a ski hill.
* Blue (Square) - safe for intermediate level experience riders, trails/rides may have greater slopes, ditches and obstacles. A beginner rider will be challenged moderately by sections of blue trails, intermediate riders will be comfortable. In the ski industry the greatest number of runs are typically blue.
* Black (Diamond) - meant for experienced riders, these trails/rides will have sections that have steep slopes, larger ditches or obstacles to traverse. Intermediate riders will be challenged by sections of black trails, experienced riders comfortable with most. At a ski hill such trails are more difficult and have more obstacles, moguls, etc.
* Double Black (Diamond) - only safe for very experienced riders, these trails will have steep slopes, ditches and obstacles that may require winching or help from riding buddies to clear some sections.
Trail difficulty can increase with inclement weather, deadfall, washouts, rockslides and industrial use. A difficult trail for one person may be moderate for another.
SAFE RIDING PRACTICES
When riding always remember that you are responsible for the person BEHIND you:
1. After crossing a difficult spot wait to see that they made it okay.
2. At forks in the trail wait until they catch up and can see you before moving off again.
3. After not seeing them for a while stop and wait until they come into sight.
4. If the group gets split up stop and wait for the riders AHEAD to come back to you. Keep everybody together.
When encountering a situation where a rider is uncomfortable with an obstacle or difficult section of trail then:
1. Don't get in a hurry.
2. Collectively think the whole process through from start to finish. Consider what could go wrong and be sure to select the most experienced and capable person to be in charge.
3. Consider alternatives such as:
- Fixing the trail.
- Winching the machine.
- Have a more experienced person ride the machine through the tough spot (be sure that this person is familiar with the machine or spend some time with familiarization).