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Guidelines and Procedures for all Boy Scout of
America units, Councils, and National Program Activities Involving Bicycling.
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| 1 |
Qualified Supervision |
All unit, district, council, and national event activities
must be supervised by a mature and conscientious adult at least age 21 who understands and knowingly accepts
responsibility for the safety of children in his or her care, who is experienced with the skills and equipment
involved in the activity, and who is committed to compliance with these BSA safety guidelines. |
| 2 |
Physical Fitness |
Biking is strenuous. Long treks and hill climbing
should not be attempted without training and preparation. For Scouting activities, all participants must present
evidence of fitness assured by a complete health history from a physician, parent, or legal guardian. The adult
supervisor should adjust all supervision, discipline, and protection to anticipate any potential risks associated
with individual health conditions. In the event of any significant health conditions, proof of an examination by
a physician should be required by the adult leader. |
| 3 |
Helmets and Clothing |
All cyclists must wear a properly sized and fitted
helmet approved by either the Snell Memorial Foundation or the
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards. Layer your clothing for warmth on cool days so you can avoid chilling or overheating. Cover up for
sun protection on clear days. |
| 4 |
Buddy-Up |
When the program activity is a bicycle expedition
or trek, the buddy system must be used. When there is program activity emphasizing individual performance skills,
one buddy observes while the other takes his turn. In competitive activity where the buddy concept cannot be
practically applied, all activity must be directly observed by the adult supervisor. (Youth members should be
taught that biking with a buddy is best. When biking alone, apart from Scouting activities, youth members should
be encouraged to tell someone their route, schedule, and destination before departing.) |
| 5 |
Keep Right |
Ride with the traffic flow, as far to the right
as possible. Avoid curbs, storm drains, soft or loose gravel on shoulders, and other hazards. |
| 6 |
Be Smart |
Obey all traffic laws, signs, signals, and street
markings. Watch for changes in road conditions. Ride only one to a bike. Do not ride after dark. No stunts—trick
riding is only for professionals who use special equipment. Yield to motor vehicles even if you think you have
the right—of—way. Never hitch a ride on another vehicle. Keep your head and ears open and do not wear headphones
while riding. |
| 7 |
Turns and Intersections |
Look left, right, back, and ahead before turning.
Stop and search all directions when entering a street from a driveway, parking area, sidewalk, or an alley.
Signal all turns using universal hand signals. Walk your bike through or across busy intersections. |
| 8 |
Right Bike |
Ride only a bike that fits you. Select a bike
that permits you to put both feet on the ground while sitting on the seat. The handgrips should be no higher
than your shoulder or lower than your seat. |
| 9 |
Accessories |
Every bike needs a horn or bell and reflectors
(front, back, and sides). Items should be carried only in baskets, saddlebags, or on a rear carrier rack. If
you must ride in traffic, a bike- or helmet-mounted mirror is recommended. For long trips, a bike-mounted
container for drinking water is recommended. |
| 10 |
Maintenance |
Keep your bike clean and well—maintained—especially
the brakes and drive chain. |
| 11 |
Race Right |
Open street racing is dangerous. Race only with
supervision on marked courses that have been set up to exclude other vehicle or pedestrian traffic, to eliminate
fall hazards and minimize collision risks, and to define clearly "start" and "finish" points. |
| 12 |
Planning |
Plan both the route and timing of bike trips to
avoid heavy traffic and hazardous conditions. Biking is unsafe on wet pavement and on windy days. Plan for at
least hourly rest stops and a maximum of approximately six hours on the bike per day. |
| 13 |
Discipline |
All participants should know, understand, and
follow the rules and procedures for safe biking, and all participants should conscientiously and carefully
follow all directions from the adult supervisor. |
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Requirements for the Cycling Merit Badge
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| 1 |
Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could
occur while cycling, including hypothermia, heat reactions, frostbite, dehydration, insect stings, tick bites,
snakebite, blisters, and hyperventilation.
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| 2 |
Clean and adjust a bicycle. Prepare it for inspection using a
bicycle safety checklist. Be sure the bicycle meets local laws.
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| 3 |
Show your bicycle to your counselor for inspection.
Point out the adjustments or repairs you have made.
Do the following:
- 1. Show all points that need oiling regularly.
- 2. Show the points that should be checked regularly to make sure the bicycle is safe to ride.
- 3. Show how to adjust brakes, seat level and height, and steering tube.
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| 4 |
Describe how to brake safely with foot brakes and with hand brakes.
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| 5 |
Show how to repair a flat. Use an old bicycle tire.
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| 6 |
Take a road test with your counselor and demonstrate the following:
- 1. Proper mount, pedal, and brake including emergency stops.
- 2. On an urban street with light traffic, properly execute a left turn
from the center of the street; also demonstrate an alternate left turn technique used during periods of heavy
traffic.
- 3. Properly execute a right turn.
- 4. Demonstrate appropriate actions at a right-turn-only lane when you are continuing straight.
- 5. Show proper curbside and road-edge riding. Show how to ride safely along a row of parked cars.
- 6. Cross railroad tracks properly.
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| 7 |
Describe your state's traffic laws for bicycles. Compare them with motor-vehicle laws. Know the bicycle-safety
guidelines. |
| 8 |
Avoiding main highways, take two rides of 10 miles each, two rides
of 15 miles each, and two rides of 25 miles each. You must make a report of the rides taken. List dates, routes
traveled, and interesting things seen. The bicycle must have all required safety features. It must be registered
as required by your local traffic laws. |
| 9 |
After fulfilling requirement 8, lay out on a road map a 50-mile
trip. Stay away from main highways. Using your map, make this ride in eight hours. |
