Why a checklist helps
Most riders know they should wear a helmet and look at the bike. What often goes wrong is skipping those steps when excited, rushed or tired. A short checklist, done the same way each time, takes away the need to remember and the temptation to skip.
Tricks are risky, and no routine removes that. A checklist reduces avoidable problems; it does not make a trick safe, and it cannot promise you will land anything. Harder moves are better learned from a qualified instructor.
1. Protect your body
Start with the helmet. It should fit snugly, sit level on the head and be fastened properly each time. Choosing a helmet for the right activity matters, so follow the manufacturer’s guidance on fit and use. If a helmet has taken a significant hit, helmet replacement after impact is generally recommended because damage is not always visible.
Add protection that suits the trick. Gloves help the hands, and wrist guards, knee and elbow pads are common for hops, jumps and drops. Sturdy, closed shoes with decent grip help your feet stay on the pedals. Choosing protective gear for bike skills explains how to match gear to the risk. Remove loose items such as dangling straps or loose laces that could catch in the chain or wheel.
2. Check the bike
A bike that fails in the middle of a trick makes a small mistake into a large one. A quick look takes only minutes:
- Squeeze both brakes and test that they hold firmly and release freely.
- Look over both tyres for cuts, bulges or low pressure, and set pressure as the manufacturer advises.
- Make sure wheels are secure; wheel retention checks cover quick releases and thru-axles.
- Hold the front brake, rock the bike forward and back, and listen for a knock; headset play can show up this way.
- Lift the bike a few centimetres and drop it gently on its wheels. A bounce test often reveals loose parts by sound.
- Check handlebars, stem and saddle are tight and aligned, and the chain runs smoothly.
The ABCDE quick check is a handy memory aid for this routine. If anything is loose, bent, cracked or you are unsure, take the bike to a shop, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for adjustments.
3. Check the surface and surroundings
Walk the practice area before you ride. Look for loose gravel, glass, wet or oily patches, cracks, leaves, sticks and uneven edges. Note where pedestrians, traffic or other riders could appear. Check that the run-out beyond the trick is clear and that there is enough space to bail out. Dim light makes surfaces harder to read, so avoid practising when the light is fading.
If the surface is damp, icy or covered in leaves, choose a slower skill or postpone.
4. Warm up and check yourself
Cold, stiff muscles are more likely to strain. Start with gentle movement and easy riding. A session-specific warm-up goes further than this list, and the trick session warm-up check is a good companion piece. Ask yourself honestly: am I rested, hydrated, fed and in a calm frame of mind? Tiredness, hunger and strong emotion each make errors more likely. If you are ill, injured or unsure about a medical condition, speak to a doctor before riding.
5. Have a plan and a spotter
Tell someone where you are and when you will be back, and bring a phone. A friend nearby can watch, call for help and notice things you cannot. Agree on a signal for “stop” before you start.
A spotter is not a safety net. They cannot catch a falling rider, and they should stand well away from the landing zone. Their job is to watch for people, vehicles or hazards coming into your area and to raise the alarm if something goes wrong. For harder tricks, supervision by a trained instructor is much better than a friend with good intentions.
6. Know your bail-out
Decide before each attempt what you will do if it goes wrong. Learning bailing out means choosing a direction to fall, releasing the bike, tucking your chin and rolling rather than reaching out with straight arms. Practising falling on grass or soft ground may help you react more calmly. Falling off safely is not guaranteed, and some falls cannot be controlled, so keep attempts small enough that a bail-out is realistic.
7. Progress in small steps
Make each attempt only a little harder than the last. Do not mix new elements, such as higher speed and a new trick together. If you feel yourself hesitating mid-attempt, that is a reason to stop and reset, not push through.
8. Know when to stop
Stop when you are tired, when your attempts become rushed or sloppy, when you feel frustrated or when the light, weather or surface changes. Stop when you take a hard fall, even if you feel fine, as some injuries show up later. If you hit your head, feel dizzy or have pain that does not settle, seek medical advice.
After a crash, check the bike before riding again. A bent bar, wobbling wheel or damaged frame can fail unexpectedly, and a shop can inspect them.
The routine in short
Helmet and pads, bike check, surface check, warm-up, plan and spotter, bail-out thought, small steps, stop in good time. It takes a few minutes, and riders who keep to it tend to enjoy their sessions for longer. Treat it as part of the trick, not a chore before it.