May 24, 2013 – The potential for a tragic roller ski accident is significant especially as more skiers take to the roads in the late summer and fall. My concern started with a driver complaint to the Craftsbury Select board about our club rollerski training on town roads. Our primary safety initiative when skiing on a quiet section of road with good visibility in Craftsbury was to put up caution signage along side the road and cones down the middle.

Roller Skiing at Bend summer camps... safety is job number one. © Bend Endurance Academy

This gave a deceptive appearance of a safe venue but in fact made some drivers mad and probably more dangerous to our skiers. At the request of the select board I have discontinued this practice and instituted rigorous personal safety requirements for our club members. Club members are cautioned that they will be dismissed from the training session if they do not comply with these rules. They are particularly important when skiing on a section of road which has only two lanes or only a narrow bike lane.

1. Helmets required at all times.

2. Ski with traffic on the right side of the road.

3. Ski single file.

4. When skiing in a group the last person in the line calls “car back.” This is very important because skiers further up the line probably won’t hear a car coming due to the noise generated by the group.

5. Any time a car comes from the rear all skiers in a group or individuals skiing alone cease skating step and double pole, ski classic, or stop skiing all together and get as close to the edge of the pavement as possible. Do not resume skate skiing until you are sure there is not another car coming from behind.

6. Avoid skiing in large groups which make it difficult for cars to pass. Spread out into several smaller groups.

7. Be particularly vigilant when a car is coming from behind and another car or skier is approaching from in front. If necessary, step off the road completely.

8. When you stop skiing, all skiers in group, including the coach, should get entirely off the pavement.

9. Car drivers are much more familiar with bicycles on the road than roller skiers. The more a skier acts like responsible bike rider with regard to behavior, following rules of the road, and the space he or she occupies, the more likely a car will pass safety, without incident. Few drivers can relate to the amount of space that a roller skier takes up while skating.

Roller Ski Safety by John Brodhead, Craftsbury Nordic Center