b'H andSo nF orS aFeTyBy Stan Choinere snow and not visible, and it bouncedrecommended to the VAST Board of I dont know when the practice ofme to the center of the trail. I pulledDirectors, and they have given their holding up your left hand to tellhard on the handlebar with my rightsupport to move forward with our oncoming traffic how may sleds arehand and that made the sled roll onmessage.behind you started or who started it.its edge, throwing me to the centerThere will be a public service While it sounds like a good idea, inof the trail and oncoming traffic. Iannouncement (PSA) coming from reality its very dangerous. There ishad my boot hooked in the toe loopCindy Locke, VAST Executive no law or rule that requires you to doand was able to hold on and roll theDirector. You will see posters it.Really, what is the value? sled flat and on my side of the trail.displayed in snowmobile dealerships Because I was not in full control andthroughout New England. A large I have been a safety instructor forhanging off to the left side of thepercentage of VAST members are over 20 years, and I have stressed tosled with my left hand swinging tofrom out of state, so we want to bring all my students that safety is our firstthe side, I managed to punch thethe message to them. We have gotten responsibility when riding, followedrider with the motocross helmet intremendous support from the dealers closely by respecting the land andthe face. When we both stopped, Ithat we polled. The International landowners. Basic safety rule numberchecked to make sure he was OK andAssociation of Snowmobile one is ride to the right. Along withto apologize and see if he wantedAdministrators Is also onboard with that is safe speed for the conditions,to punch me back! He was fine: Hethis Initiative.always staying to your side ofknew it was an accident. Fortunately, corners and maintaining control ofthat was the only contact, and itThere will be signs placed at VAST your sled.wasnt a head on collision withtrail heads/parking areas. There will When we meet oncoming traffic,severe injuries or worse. That was thebe signs at trail intersections and may we should all slow down and belast time I hand-signaled. even be posted on the trails. Safety certain that we are to the far right.So why do it? Does the closed fistinstructors will emphasize hands on We should be ready to react quicklygive you a green light to ride center,the bars for safety. You will continue to the oncoming traffic that may notor left, or cut corners?We mustto see this message in Snowmobile always be on its side of the trail oralways ride by the rules and rideVermont magazine throughout the may drift into our path. If we needdefensively, expecting the otheryear. This is not something unique to apply the brake, we need our leftguy to be on our side of the trail. Ifto Vermont; many of you may have hand on the handlebar, not in thethe first rider in the group wants toalready seen this message coming air signaling our sled count!I alsosignal quickly that there are othersfrom New Hampshire. The sport recommend to my students that theybehind him, I can understand that.there started to deliver this message rest a finger or two on the brake leverBuy why would it be important toat the end of last riding season.to avoid any delay when braking iscount down 4-3-2-1-fist? Safety instructors and VAST will needed.Today, some riders also use lightcontinue to teach and support Steering your sled with only onesystems. Yellow lights mean someonestandard hand signals. Those are hand can be difficult, especiallyis behind them and green is last sledquick and dont require focused for kids. I cant count how manyin the group. This is safer becauseattention from oncoming riders. times I have met oncoming sledsyou keep your hands on the bars, butOtherwise, the bottom line is to keep where the riders are more concernedthe green light still doesnt mean theyour hands where they belong - on about getting their hand up withtrail is clear. the handlebars, ready to use the some number of fingers raised thanbrake quickly if needed. You need keeping their sleds under control.ISo, to put a bigger emphasis on thisboth hands and arms to steer and to have seen such riders go off the trailtruly unsafe act, the VAST Safetykeep your sled under control. or drift in front of me with panic inCommittee is beginning a campaign Always ride smart and safe, respect their eyes. Also, how many timeson many levels to spread the wordthe trails, land, and landowners - and do you see a closed first signalingand to encourage snowmobilers tobe an active member of your club!last sled when there is a line ofstop this practice. This action was additional sleds right behind it?When riders started doing this, I will admit that I did it as well until this very true story happened to me. I was last in line and was holding up a closed fist. One of the riders coming towards me was wearing a motocross helmet with no face shield. The trail was narrow, and in my attempt to stay right, my right ski hit a stump on the edge of the trail, just below the 8 |Vermont Association of Snow Travelers'