NEMBA COVID-19 Guidance for Rides & Trail Care Events
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
COVID-19 Guidance for NEMBA Rides & Trail Care Sessions
With warm weather and the easing of Covid-19 restrictions we know that there will be an iincrease in group rides and trail work days. Please consider the guidance below, as well as the state by state guidelines, when organizing and hosting a group ride, trail care event, or other event. We all want to ride bikes, let’s just do it safely!
Key Takeaways:
All participants must sign the NEMBA Annual Waiver.
Email with information of any upcoming events.
Follow state & local guidelines (see links below as these can change frequently)
We strongly encourage you to maintain a list of attendees with contact info so we have a record of participation and can do outreach to non-members. This will also help in the event contact tracing is ever necessary.
Most riders prefer a smaller, more personal group ride experience. Try to keep trail groups small, 10 or less is ideal. Split larger groups if possible.
Masks are not required for fully vaccinated individuals and others who are recreating outdoors but are still an excellent preventative measure when in close contact or when near unvaccinated or at-risk people.
Respect the wishes of any volunteer or participant who requests more enhanced protocols. Every individual has their own risk tolerance.
Very importantly, all state and local guidelines still apply.
Current State Requirements: (Subject to change.) - updated January 11 2022
Click on the State name for links to individual state COVID-19 websites
Connecticut: No outdoor mask requirements. No outdoor limit on group size.
Massachusetts: No mask requirements for fully vaccinated. No limit on outdoor group size.
Maine: No outdoor mask requirements. No limits on group size.
New Hampshire: No outdoor mask requirements. No limits on group size.
Rhode Island: No outdoor mask requirement. No limits on group size
Vermont: No outdoor mask requirements. No limits on group size.
CT DEEP, Maine Bureau of Parks, Mass DCR Guidance, NH State Parks, RI DEM, VT State Parks
Note: Some cities and towns may have different rules.
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NEMBA Recommendations for smaller events, rides, and trail care sessions
To schedule a group ride or trail care event send an email to
All participants must also sign the NEMBA Annual Waiver
Volunteers and participants should remain home if not feeling well, if they have received a positive COVID test, or if they have had close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID.
We strongly encourage chapters to maintain a list of attendees with contact info so we have a record of participation and can do outreach to non-members. This will also help in the event contact tracing is ever necessary. This can be as simple as a sign-in list, if capacity is not a concern, or a pre-registration site such as EventBrite.
Many chapters just keep a record of attendees. Either by pre-signing up people or taking names and email addresses at the event. This is a best-practice, regardless of COVID.
NEMBA offers EventBrite registration, with a covid-19 questionnaire for any individual or chapter that wishes to use it. This can help with capacity requirements due to limited ride guides. Eventbrite is just one option, other options are welcomed.
When riding with the same people every week, this can be waived.
Respect parking regulations. Parking has become a problem at some riding areas due to the influx of new trail users. If a parking area is full, find another legal place to park.
Try to keep groups small, 10 or less is ideal. Participants have more enjoyable times in smaller groups. Split larger groups if possible. Large groups can also cause trail conflicts and should be avoided. Have sufficient ride leaders to meet demand or create ride limits that reflect your ride leader capacity.
Masks are not required for fully vaccinated individuals and others who are recreating outdoors but are still an excellent preventative measure when in close contact or when near unvaccinated or at-risk people.
Exaggerate your courtesy to other trail users. When encountering other trail users, slow down or stop and move off the trail to provide room for people to pass unless they waive you by. Always say hello and be friendly.
On trail care days bring hand sanitizer, cleaning wipes, etc. Some places require providing sanitizing materials at events
You are strongly encouraged to review the state and local guidelines for your area if post ride food is being offered. Bring hand sanitizer, minimize the sharing of food, and ensure social distancing is maintained.
Respect the wishes of any volunteer or participant who requests more enhanced protocols. Every individual has their own risk tolerance.
It is up to local chapters to decide what is best for their area and the comfort level of their ride leaders.
Follow local, state and federal guidelines. Use the links above for up-to-date information as these change frequently.
