Mountain Biking Involves Risk
Mountain biking is an adventure sport. While we do everything we reasonably can to reduce risk, it is not possible to remove all risk from riding a bike on natural trails.
By joining a lesson, guided ride, tour, or coaching session with NZMTB, you acknowledge that mountain biking involves inherent risks that can result in injury, illness, property damage, or, in rare circumstances, serious injury or death.
Our goal is not to eliminate adventure. Our goal is to manage risk sensibly — through good decisions, experienced guides, appropriate terrain selection, and honest communication — so that riders can enjoy the experience while understanding the realities of the environment we operate in.
The Risks of Mountain Biking
Mountain biking takes place in constantly changing outdoor environments. Conditions can vary from one day to the next, and sometimes from one corner to the next.
Risks may include:
- Falls from the bike
- Collisions with trees, rocks, trail features, other riders, vehicles, or members of the public
- Loss of control due to loose surfaces, mud, roots, gravel, dust, or changing trail conditions
- Mechanical failures or equipment damage
- Fatigue — including cumulative fatigue over multi-day trips, or arriving to an activity already tired
- Dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, or hypothermia
- Sun exposure and sunburn
- Allergic reactions, insect bites, or contact with plants
- Riding terrain that exceeds your actual skill or fitness level
- Becoming separated from the group in remote or unfamiliar terrain
- Delayed access to emergency services due to the remote nature of some riding locations
- Natural hazards including strong winds, flooding, landslides, earthquakes, treefall, wildfire, volcanic activity, and severe weather
Carrying inadequate clothing, food, or water for the conditions is a contributing factor in many outdoor incidents. Please come prepared.
Even on well-maintained trails, conditions can change without warning. Fallen trees, branches, erosion, loose rocks, wildlife, weather events, and other trail users can all create unexpected hazards.
Our Approach to Managing Risk
At NZMTB, good risk management starts long before the ride begins.
Our guides are qualified, experienced, and trained in emergency response, first aid, and hazard identification. Every guide carries a first aid kit and communication device. On remote or backcountry trips, satellite messaging is used to maintain contact with our operations base.
We carefully select trails to suit the ability, fitness, and experience level of each group. We would rather choose the right trail than put riders in situations beyond their capability.
Before every ride, we consider:
- Rider experience and skill level
- Weather conditions and forecasts
- Trail conditions and closures
- Natural hazards
- Group size and guide-to-rider ratios
- Emergency access and evacuation options
During the ride, our guides continuously monitor conditions, rider wellbeing, and group dynamics, adjusting plans in real time if required.
This may include:
- Changing the route
- Avoiding specific trail sections
- Delaying or cancelling activities
- Asking riders to walk certain features
- Turning around if conditions deteriorate
Safety decisions made by the guide are final.
Shared Responsibility
Mountain biking is safest when everyone plays a part.
We ask all participants to:
- Ride within your abilities — and be honest about what those abilities actually are
- Follow guide and coach instructions at all times
- Tell your guide if you feel uncomfortable, tired, unwell, or uncertain about a feature or section
- Inform us of any relevant medical conditions, medications, or physical limitations before the activity — this includes arriving fatigued or unwell
- Wear a helmet at all times and any other protective equipment as recommended
- Bring suitable clothing, food, water, and riding equipment for the forecast conditions
- Ensure your bike is in safe working condition before the activity
- Respect trail rules, trail users, and the environment
There is never any pressure to ride a feature, jump, drop, or technical section. Walking is always a valid and respected choice.
If you become separated from the group, stop, stay where you are where it is safe to do so, and wait for your guide to locate you.
Natural Hazards
New Zealand’s outdoor environments are dynamic. Many of the risks we manage arise from the natural environment rather than the riding itself.
Weather and Wind
Strong winds increase the risk of treefall and falling branches. We monitor forecasts before every ride and will modify or cancel activities when conditions present an unacceptable risk.
Treefall and Storm Damage
Forests can contain fallen trees, hanging branches, and storm-damaged vegetation. Trail conditions should always be treated as potentially changed since the last time a trail was ridden.
Flooding and Landslides
Heavy rainfall can affect trail stability, create washouts, and increase the risk of slips and landslides. Routes may be changed or activities postponed when required.
Heat, Cold, and Exposure
Even short rides can expose participants to changing temperatures, strong sun, wind, and rain. Appropriate clothing, hydration, and nutrition are essential for all activities.
Earthquakes, Wildfire, and Geothermal Activity
Some operating areas may be affected by natural events that cannot be predicted or controlled. Guides are trained to respond to these situations and will alter or cancel activities when required.
Our Philosophy
Mountain biking is about challenge, progression, exploration, and enjoyment.
Risk can never be removed entirely, but it can be understood, managed, and respected. At NZMTB, we build that management into everything we do — from route selection and pre-trip planning, to continuous on-trail assessment, honest conversations with riders, and a culture where guides and participants communicate openly.
We encourage riders to challenge themselves, but never at the expense of sound judgement. A guide’s job is not just to lead a ride — it is to make good decisions on your behalf, and to support you in making good decisions for yourself.
The best risk management tool we have is the right trail, for the right rider, on the right day.