SAFETY & RIDER DISCLAIMER
MOUNTAIN BIKING INVOLVES RISK
Mountain biking, BMX, dirt jumping, downhill riding, freestyle riding and related cycling activities are physically demanding activities that involve inherent risks.
At Lance McDermott | Bike Minded, rider progression and safety are taken seriously. However, no coaching session, instruction or safety equipment can remove every risk associated with riding a bicycle.
By taking part in a Bike Minded coaching session, riders — and the parent or guardian of any rider under 18 — acknowledge that accidents, falls, collisions, equipment failure and injuries can occur.
RIDER RESPONSIBILITY CODE
Before every coaching session, riders should:
Wear a correctly fitted and suitable cycling helmet.
Check their bicycle for damage, cracks, loose components or anything that may affect its safe operation.
Ensure both brakes are functioning correctly and brake pads have sufficient material remaining.
Check that wheels and axles are correctly fitted and securely tightened.
Check handlebars, stem, grips, headset, seat post, saddle and pedals are secure.
Check tyres for excessive wear, cuts or damage and ensure they are inflated appropriately.
Ensure suspension and other adjustable equipment is functioning correctly where applicable.
Wear appropriate footwear and any additional protective equipment recommended for the riding environment.
Inform Bike Minded before the session of anything that may affect their ability to participate safely.
Follow instructions provided by the coach and the rules of the riding location at all times.
Bike Minded reserves the right to prevent a rider from participating if their bicycle, protective equipment, behaviour or riding condition is considered unsafe.
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
A suitable cycling helmet is required during Bike Minded coaching sessions.
Depending on the location, terrain and type of coaching, additional protective equipment may be required or strongly recommended, including:
Full-face helmet
Knee protection
Elbow protection
Gloves
Suitable riding footwear
Body or back protection
For sessions at bike parks or venues, riders must also comply with that venue's individual safety requirements.
A rider who arrives without required safety equipment may not be permitted to participate.
ASSUMPTION OF RISK
Participants acknowledge that cycling and mountain biking may involve hazards including, but not limited to:
Falls, loss of balance, jumps, drops, steep terrain, uneven surfaces, roots, rocks, mud, water, loose surfaces, changing weather conditions, reduced visibility, constructed trail features, ramps, berms, other riders, pedestrians, vehicles, mechanical failure and unexpected obstacles.
These risks can result in damage to equipment or property and may result in minor or serious injury.
Participants are responsible for riding within their own ability and should tell their coach immediately if they are uncomfortable attempting any technique, obstacle or feature.
Bike Minded will never require a rider to attempt a feature or manoeuvre they do not wish to attempt.
COACHING & RIDER PROGRESSION
Coaching is designed to improve riding technique, confidence, bike control and understanding.
Progression varies between riders.
Bike Minded cannot guarantee that a rider will successfully complete a particular trick, jump, feature, skill level, competition result or progression milestone following coaching.
Riders remain responsible for deciding whether they feel capable and comfortable attempting a technique outside of a supervised coaching environment.
HEALTH & FITNESS
Participants are responsible for ensuring they are physically capable of taking part in the session.
Any injury, medical consideration or other circumstance that could materially affect safe participation should be disclosed before riding where appropriate.
If there is uncertainty about whether a rider is medically fit to participate, professional medical advice should be obtained beforehand.
Bike Minded may stop or modify a session where continuing would create an unacceptable safety risk.
RIDER EQUIPMENT & BICYCLES
Unless specifically agreed otherwise, riders are responsible for supplying and maintaining their own bicycle, riding equipment and protective equipment.
Bike Minded may visually identify an obvious problem with a bicycle, but a pre-session observation is not a substitute for a professional mechanical inspection or service.
The rider or their parent/guardian remains responsible for ensuring the bicycle is safe and suitable for the intended activity.
BIKE BUILDS, SERVICING & REPAIRS
Where Bike Minded provides bicycle servicing, repairs, adjustments or bike-building services, those services are separate from coaching.
Customers should provide accurate information regarding known faults or damage.
Bicycles and components can develop faults through wear, impact, misuse, manufacturing defects or circumstances that are not apparent during routine servicing.
Any recommendations made by Bike Minded regarding replacement or repair should be considered before the bicycle is returned to demanding use.
Nothing within this disclaimer removes any statutory rights available to customers under UK consumer law.
RIDING LOCATIONS
Bike Minded coaching may take place at bike parks, BMX tracks, pump tracks, trails and other suitable riding facilities.
Some locations are operated independently of Bike Minded.
Participants must comply with all rules, restrictions, opening conditions and safety requirements imposed by the relevant venue or landowner.
Admission charges, parking charges or venue fees are separate from Bike Minded coaching fees unless specifically stated otherwise.
UNDER-18 RIDERS
Where a participant is under 18, booking or consent must be provided by a parent or legal guardian where required.
The parent or guardian confirms that they understand the nature of the activity and the risks associated with mountain biking and cycling.
Additional supervision or attendance requirements may apply depending on the rider's age, session type and venue.
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO
Bike Minded may occasionally capture photographs or video during coaching sessions for rider feedback, coaching analysis or promotional content.
Where imagery is intended for public or promotional use, appropriate permission will be obtained where required, particularly in relation to children and young riders.
If you do not want yourself or your child included in promotional photography or video, please tell Bike Minded before the session.
PERSONAL PROPERTY
Riders are responsible for their bicycles, equipment, phones, clothing and other personal belongings.
Bike Minded cannot accept responsibility for loss, theft or accidental damage to personal property except where liability cannot legally be excluded.
COACHING INSTRUCTION
Riders must follow reasonable safety instructions from their coach.
Bike Minded reserves the right to stop a rider or end a session where behaviour presents a significant risk to the rider, coach, other participants or members of the public.
This includes deliberately ignoring safety instructions, riding recklessly or using equipment considered unsafe.
LIABILITY
Participation in mountain biking and cycling activities involves risks that cannot be completely eliminated.
Nothing contained within this disclaimer is intended to exclude or restrict liability where doing so would be unlawful, including liability for death or personal injury resulting from negligence where such liability cannot legally be excluded.
Nothing in this disclaimer affects a customer's statutory rights.
EMERGENCIES
Mountain biking may take place in locations where immediate medical assistance is not available.
In an emergency, Bike Minded may contact the emergency services and provide reasonable assistance until professional help becomes available.
Participants should ensure that emergency contact information supplied when booking is accurate and current.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
By booking or participating in a Bike Minded coaching session, you confirm that you have read and understood the relevant safety information and recognise the inherent risks associated with cycling and mountain biking.
For riders under 18, this acknowledgement is made by their parent or legal guardian.
LANCE McDERMOTT
Mountain Bike Coach
BIKE MINDED
Built through riding. Driven by progression.
For questions regarding coaching, servicing, repairs or Bike Minded services, please contact us through the website or WhatsApp.