injured from gate failure Options

[BS]

Carson, so bummed to hear about this. That is crazy that after 30 years a freak thing like this bites you. I wish you the best in your recovery and I'm glad you're going to get back on that pony.

Why don't gates in the US have that area covered so this isn't an issue. I've seen video of the tracks in Europe with the curved backside. Horrible description but I think you have the idea.

Expense

[Elvis]

Expense

Yeah, that was my reaction. It's a good idea, but all the digging and whatnot to get it installed (having to set up drainage and all) looks like it'd be a hassle. And hassles are expensive.

[lumpy]

That Bensink gate is what I was talking about... As far as expense, an ounce of prevention..

Brian

[cjbmx/hex]

You can't. I tell people running the gate that once they hit the go button it's going, so please pay attention to what is going on on the gate.

I caught a kid once. The same thing that happened to Billy B. but it was the local transformer blowing out. A brand new kid was in the gate next to the kid with his foot stuck, with him and his bike halfway on the gate. I couldn't raise the gate till the kid moved, he was scared and didn't know to move and the stuck kids parent yelling to me to raise the gate. Luckily the kids foot was ok. We since changed the gate/ram/box and don't have empty spaces between the lanes.

Actually you can stop the gate by hitting the start button a second time (or reset on the new systems). I was taught to keep my finger ready to do this up until the mid point of the cadance, after that I do not stop (unless its obvious i can without flipping a rider.) I have not messed with the random gate side of things.

Anyway, the different comments above are what I was hoping for, get folks thinking about the systems and make sure things are at least maintained often and considerations made when electric boxes are shared, ect... In a perfect world we would all be able to afford the cool Euro Systems, unfortunately thats not reality for most.

Thanks again for the well wishes, my wife helped me shower and dress for the first time in 26 years, odd.........

Bernie/Brian; miss you guys!

CJ

[dtraceh]

sorry to hear about your accident heres to a quick recovery

[Bikemonkeys]

Actually you can stop the gate by hitting the start button a second time (or reset on the new systems). I was taught to keep my finger ready to do this up until the mid point of the cadance, after that I do not stop (unless its obvious i can without flipping a rider.) I have not messed with the random gate side of things.

It's that mid point I was referring to.

Random is the same, only it makes a funny beeping sound to notify the riders.

[BS]

miss you guys!

Miss you too, CJ!

That Bensink gate is what I was talking about... As far as expense, an ounce of prevention..

Brian

I can see it maybe at the national/international level but I'm fairly certain that the tracks that I've been local to (and some of those are pretty successful) wouldn't be able to afford it.

Heck, I think CJ just said he got to shower with his wife for the first time in 26 years. I say it was totally worth it!!! (sorry, kidding I swear, CJ!)

[lumpy]

I would think a decent fabricator could make a gate like that pretty easily... One other plus side.. The gate isn't slamming against the ground, it might last longer..

Brian

[UniBmx]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) CJ that sounded like fun

miss you too at the races

Bernie U

[speedkelly]

Hey there. Sorry for your injury, heal up soon.


Gates!

I have always been a little amazed that here in the USA lawsuit capital of the world. That we still use the type of gates that we do. I love the sport of BMX, but really this type of injury would be a slam dunk for any Law firm. That gate looks awesome, super safe, I wonder what the cost is? My fear would be that once a Law firm sues and wins this type of case you would have many others. I understand that BMX racing has it's danger, but come a bad gate malfunction and someones little kid loses an arm? tell me that parent is not going to sue the Track the ABA and the city that allowed the Bmx track to operate. Hmmmmm!