Ride Rules

• All riders must raise the designated minimum pledge or sign a Promise to Pay for the bike event by the check-in of the event.
• All riders must submit a signed Waiver Form at Pre Ride Check-In to receive a Rider Packet.
• All riders must obey all state and local traffic laws.
• All riders must obey all Law Enforcement Personnel, Ride Officials and Volunteers.
• Every rider must wear a bicycle helmet that complies with the US Consumer Products Safety Commission Safety Standard.
• Headphones, cell phones, ear buds, radios and similar audio devices used in, on or around the rider’s head or ears are not permitted while riding.
• Equipment and accessories attached to a bicycle for transporting children and pets are not allowed. This includes, but is not limited to, bicycle trailers, Tag-along or Trail-a-bike products, and child carrier seats. 
• Riders are not allowed to transport animals while riding.
• Inline skates (rollerblades) are prohibited.

To uphold the integrity and safety of the rides, the National MS Society-Wisconsin Chapter has established specific action for unsafe rider behaviors during the event.

Unsafe rider behaviors include – but are not limited to – the following:

• Violating one or more established rules 
• Violating one or more rules of proper cycling etiquette
• Violating state and local traffic laws
• Failing to follow directives from police, Bike MS officials or volunteers
• Doing anything that presents a safety hazard or could cause harm to anyone affiliated with the ride

Under-Age Riders

The minimum age to participate in a NMSS bike event is 12 years of age by the first day of the event.

Riders 17 and younger must have the Wavier Form notarized before attending a Packet Pick-Up.

A parent or adult guardian must accompany riders 17 and younger at all times. The maximum ratio of adult-to-child riders is 1:3.  

Ride participants between the ages of 12 and 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian during the bike ride, as noted in the signed waiver forms submitted at Packet Pick-Up.

Riders aged 12 to 17 must review with their guardian the online safety and training information and Skills Guide.

If a law enforcement officer or other ride officials encounter an under-age participant riding without a parent or guardian, that rider will be taken via SAG vehicle to either a lunch stop or the overnight location on Day 1, or a lunch stop or finish location on Day 2, depending on the under-age rider’s location on the route when picked up.

The rider’s emergency contact – listed on the back of the rider number bib – will be called so the parent or guardian can meet the under-age participant at the appropriate location and continue riding together.

All Riders Must Wear Helmets

All participants in the ride must wear a cycling helmet. If a ride official spots a cyclist riding without a helmet, the rider will be asked to safely exit the course and will be reminded that he or she must wear a helmet.

Any participant who does not comply will be in violation of his or her written, signed rider agreement will be required to surrender his or her rider number and will no longer be considered a ride participant.

Other Rider Violations

Riders exhibiting unsafe behavior will be warned by ride officials. Riders who do not comply with these requests may be required to surrender their rider numbers.