Safety

Risk Management

SkiBiking is widely accepted in Europe however it is still considered "new" here in the states. When introduced to this new way to slide down the hill, Risk Managers will be the first to cry foul with visions of rider-less skibikes careening down the slopes towards impending disaster. Or, an equally ugly vision of 15lbs of tubular steel falling from the sky onto snowboarders sitting under the lift. While this initial reaction is easily understood, it is just as easily put to rest. The plain fact is that there are no centrifugal forces at work [unlike a bicycle with its rotating wheels] to keep a riderless skibike upright. Furthermore, once the riderless skibike tips over, it stops in its place due to the friction of the handlebars, footpegs, etc. There are some skibike manufactureres that use wider skis, even approaching the with of snowboards, on their equipment. These manufacturers require their riders to use leashes in the same manner as used by snowboarders.

Equipment and / or passengers falling from the lift is a serious concern for all Risk Managers. However, skibike equipment adds very little, if aat all, to the risk equation. There has not been a single documented event of a dropped bike from a lift. Today, most SkiBike manufacturers provide lanyards for tying off to lifts.

Learning to SkiBike

While every Ski Resort's number one priority is safety, it is the responsibility of each and every visitor to engage in safe practices. This includes safe behavior on the slopes as well as on the lifts, regardless if it is alpine skiing, snowboarding, or skibiking. The majority of accidents on the slopes are caused by the lack of control of the skiier/snowboarder. A novice skibike operator will need to learn control just as he/she would when learning skiing or snowboarding. However, due to the very nature of skibiking, injuries from accidents are far less than that compared to snowboarding. Here is why:

• Steering: handlebars, rather than weight shifting alone, determine the directional travel of the rider. Being able to avoid objects by steering is a key factor for avoiding injuries.

• Existing skillset: maybe not everyone has learned to swim, but EVERYONE has learned to ride a bike. The skills acquired from bike riding apply directly to skibiking. Many times, by the end of thier first run, a novice has already learned to operate the skibike safely thereby significantly reducing the learning curve as well as the potential injuries that come with it.

• Balance: many skibikers use footskis. This means 4 points of contact on the snow [2 footskis, 2 inline skis]. This configuration provides considerably more balance than skiing or snowboarding. Combined with the low center of gravity inherent in skibiking, balance is extremely easy to master for the first timer on a skibike. This is the primary reason many resorts are using skibikes in their beginner's schools -- a great introduction to sliding.

Operating a SkiBike

Just as the learning process is quicker and safer, the intermediate and advanced rider will enjoy the same benefits. Of course, the responsibility for safe operation rests squarely on the shoulders of the rider. See the SkiBikers' Responsibility Code for further discussion.

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