Safety Equipment

Rider Education is about safety. There are certain hazards inherent to riding a two-wheeled motorized vehicle weighing several hundred pounds no matter where you ride - including the training range. In order to ensure this is as safe an experience as possible, students must wear the minimum required safety equipment when participating in the range exercises. This is not negotiable. Students who do not have the required safety equipment at the beginning of the range exercises will not be allowed to complete the training, and registration fees will be forfeited. The required equipment is as follows:

1. A D.O.T. approved helmet. Helmets are available in most sizes at locations where the BC course is taught. If you do have your own helmet, it is recommended you use it in class provided it is DOT approved. A DOT approved helmet will have a sticker on the back, a label on or inside the helmet stating the manufacturer's name, model, size, month and year of manufacture, and construction materials. Helmets meeting the minimum DOT safety standard have an inner foam liner - usually about one inch thick - of firm polystyrene foam. Unsafe helmets normally contain only soft foam padding or a bare plastic shell with no foam at all.
2. Sturdy footwear which covers the ankle, e.g., riding boots or hiking boots. Tennis shoes or sneakers are not acceptable.
3. Long pants - denims acceptable. Spandex discouraged.
4. Long sleeved shirt or jacket.
5. Full fingered gloves. Leather is recommended to ensure protection and enhance grip.
6. Eye protection. Sunglasses are acceptable, safety glasses are encouraged. A face shield is good, but the low speeds on the training range do not ensure good ventilation.

There are other optional safety and convenience items you should bring to the range, depending on the weather: water, "sport drinks", sun screen, bug spray, a change of clothes for after range exercises (at least a t-shirt), and a rain suit. Just like in real life, classes take place rain or shine, with rare exceptions made when lightning or other severe weather conditions create a hazard to students.