Menlo Park Kids Triathlon

Pre-Race Mandatory Bike and Helmet Check

Your child’s bike and helmet must be checked before they race.

Please bring your child with their bike and helmet to one of the participating stores listed below for a mandatory bike and helmet check. You will not be able to get your race packet unless you have the proper stickers proving your bike and helmet have been checked.

• At the Pre-Race Bike Check, your child’s bike and helmet will be inspected for:
• General condition with an emphasis on tires and free movement of the chain ring system
• The ends of the handlebars have plastic plugs (called bar-end plugs)
• Bike helmets are approved by CPSC or SNELL (label inside)
• Helmets must fit properly and the straps adjusted so no more than two fingers can fit inside
• There are no overly sharp edges on the pedals that could cut a leg in a fall
• The brakes work
• No aero-bars (if you don’t know what that is, the bike doesn’t have them)

If the bike is much too small or much too large for your child, it is up to the bike check technician to determine if this is a safety hazard. A small child on a bike who can’t touch the ground while seated is unsafe.

USA Triathlon rules specify that all bikes must have two wheels and each wheel must have a brake. Also, motors are not allowed. Disc brakes are fine as are electronic shifters. This means:

NO FIXIES • NO UNICYCLES • NO RECUMBENTS • NO E-BIKES • NO SCOOTERS

EXCEPTIONS: Children 6 and under may ride a balance bike or a tricycle and anyone may have training wheels on their bike.

We strongly recommend taking the bike to the pre-race inspection BEFORE the race (see above information). If the bike is deemed unsafe at the race your child will not be allowed to participate.

Attending one of the Pre-Race Bike Checks will help speed up the packet pickup process on the morning of the race. The bike technician will give you stickers that show you have passed the pre-check safety inspection.

You MUST get the stickers from one of the Bike Check locations in order to bypass the “Bike and Helmet Check” station on Race Day. The line in the morning could be an HOUR LONG in addition to the registration line. It is highly recommended to go to the Pre- Race locations!

NOTE: Please make sure your child’s footwear is suitable for running and riding. No flip-flops or sandals or other open-toed shoes. We recommend shoes with no laces or you purchase lace lockers as most falls in the race are caused by loose shoe laces.