Frequently Asked Questions

EQUIPMENT

1.  
   

2. Use of the following safety equipment is mandatory whenever a rider is engaged in riding his bicycle on an NBL-sanctioned track:

   1. A helmet in good condition manufactured to meet or exceed recognized bicycle safety standards. All helmets must be equipped with chin straps which must be properly secured when the helmet is in use. Helmets are required to cover at least half of the rider’s ears.

   2. Mouth guards are required and must be used on all open face helmets. Mouth guards must be properly secured when the helmet is in use.

   3. A long-sleeved shirt must be worn.

   4. Long pants must be worn. Loose pant legs must be, wrapped, tied or clipped and cannot be rolled up. Cut-offs with Hammers are not permitted.

   5. Shoes with soles soft enough to grip a BMX-style pedal.
       
      

3. Use of the following safety equipment is recommended whenever a rider is engaged in riding his bicycle on an NBL-sanctioned track:

   1. Knee pads and elbow pads

   2. Gloves

   3. Socks

   4. Pads on the bicycle’s top tube, the handlebar’s crossbar, and the stem by which the bars are connected to the fork.
       
      

4. Every bicycle must be equipped with two wheels of matching size. The wheels on a 20” bicycle must have tires with an inflated diameter not exceeding 22.5” in diameter. The wheels of a cruiser must have tires with an inflated diameter greater than 22.5”.
    
   

5. All bicycles must be in good condition. Each must be equipped with:

   1. A number plate with legible numbers. Stickers may be placed on the number plate along the sides and must not interfere with the number. All numbers and letters must be at least 3” high.

      At National events, numbers permitted on plates include:

      1. All World numbers - example, W1

      2. All National numbers - example, 7 (for Expert, Girls, Cruis ers and Elite classes)

      3. Regional numbers - example, 2M (number plus the first letter of the rider’s last name)

      4. All novice National numbers must use N - example, N2 (Novice 2)

      5. All rookie National numbers must use R - example, R3 (Rookie 3)

      6. If none of the above numbers were earned, then a rider must use the last three digits of his NBL license number.

      7. No state numbers are permitted at National events.

      At all local races, numbers permitted on plates are:

      1. All of the above,

      2. All earned state numbers

   2. Motocross-style handlebars not exceeding 29” in width should be equipped with grips that completely cover the bar ends. Sleeves, plugs, or other devices used to extend the bar width are prohibited unless they are securely welded to the handlebars.

   3. A device that prevents the seat post from penetrating the bicycle’s seat.

   4. An operable brake on the rear wheel.
       
      

6. The following equipment is prohibited:

   1. Drop-style handlebars.

   2. Kick stands, side stands, chain guards and reflectors.

   3. Axles that extend more than 1/4” beyond the hub nuts un less they are suitably covered to prevent injury to any rider who may come into contact with them.

   4. Two-way radios facilitating communication between a rider and any other person during a race and/or practice. 

    

7.  The referee at any event may disqualify a rider from participation in a race if he determines that the rider’s bicycle or protective gear is unsafe whether or not the condition giving rise to this determination is specifically addressed under this heading.
   

    

   Back to Frequently Asked Questions