Vermont's chairlift safety bar law

[millerm277]

I don't usually bother with the bar. The way I like to sit anyway usually means I've either got my arm over the back, or the side rail.....if it's really windy or if I'm needing to move in a way that means I'll be leaning, bar comes down. If other people want it, I'm fine with it. Also, the ones on most fixed-grip lifts, make me uncomfortable, as the footrests are never at the right height for my legs, and the bars tend to come too close for me. The HSQ ones are usually fine though.

After having ridden lots of Yan lifts out in Kirkwood with no bars, I prefer not having it down even more.

 

[prisnah]

I only use it if I'm riding with my girl cuz she likes it down.

I see no reason for it unless it's crazy windy or I'm leaned over messing with my boots.

Falling off a chairlift is pretty hard for an adult to do....do you all have safety bars on your couches too?

From wikipedia:

The physics of a passenger sitting properly in a chairlift do not require use of a restraining bar. If the chairlift stops suddenly (as from use of the system emergency brake), the carrier's arm connecting to the grip pivots smoothly forward—driven by the chair's inertia—and maintains friction (and seating angle) between the seat and passenger. The restraining bar is useful for children—who do not fit comfortably into adult sized chairs—as well as apprehensive passengers, and for those who are disinclined or unable to sit still. In addition, restraining bars with footrests reduce muscle fatigue from supporting the weight of a snowboard or skis, especially during long lift rides. The restraining bar is also useful in very strong wind and when the chair is coated by ice.



Other than that......not needed. And I would agree and say they cause more issues than they resolve.

 

[SkiDork]

do you all have safety bars on your couches too?

Is your couch hanging 20 or more feet in the air?

 

[prisnah]

Is your couch hanging 20 or more feet in the air?

No, but that's not the point. The point is the odds of falling off either are pretty much the same.

If you wanna use it, have at...but don't go trashing people who don't for being stupid when the physics are on their side.

 

[tcharron]

False sense of security... seen kids playing leaning forward because there is a bar and almost falling off of the chair or slip under the bar. If the bar is up, you sit back. Only case I could think of where it may be dangerous not to have the bar down would be with a big backpack, slippery seats, and a lift that stops suddenly.

*anything* that is a safety feature gives a false sense of security. The point of the bar is to put something in front of you the hold onto. Chairs rock sometimes. Seats *ARE* slippery.

This will sound silly, but really think about it. When your ON the chair, HOW do you get your but back in the chair? Next time your on a lift, and up high by a pole, go ahead and slide down a bit. Your first reaction is going to be to use your hands if you feel you may fall. The bar doesn't keep you in. As has been demonstrated, it simply moves, it's not locked in place or anything. The bar isn't MEANT to keep you in.

 

[tcharron]

No, but that's not the point. The point is the odds of falling off either are pretty much the same.

If you wanna use it, have at...but don't go trashing people who don't for being stupid when the physics are on their side.

I'm pretty sure physics is on the side of falling. Something about slick plastic seats, and that pesky 'snow and ice' thing. :-D

 

[ctenidae]

I'm pretty sure physics is on the side of falling. Something about slick plastic seats, and that pesky 'snow and ice' thing. :-D

Gravity. It's not just a good idea, it's the law.

 

[tcharron]

Gravity. It's not just a good idea, it's the law.

Ahh, but see, gravity also KEEPS you in the chair. It's the things that could get you OUT of the chair that's the problem. Now, if only we didn't need snow to ski....

 

[ski_resort_observer]

funny this post was just made. Yesterday at Killington, they had an A mogul comp. A lot of the "cool mogul skier kids" (teens basically) were riding without the bar down. Ski Patrol constantly was telling them to put it down etc.

Well, finally they must have had enough of the flaunting and 2 competitors had their bibs taken away when they got off at the top. Of course they claimed they had "just raised it to get off"... This basically caused them to miss the rest of the comp (duals)

I'm disapointed in their behavior. They should be setting a good example not a bad one.

+1

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Here in Jackson Hole..it's very rare for people to pull the bar down..I like to rest my feet up on the chairlift..and alot of times when I say coming down, people don't hear me due to their I-Pods...lifts in the east especially stop often due to noobs...I'll always pull the bar down..snowboarders hate it but too bad..

 

[KevinF]

But as far as the law is concerned, has anyone been fined and/or arrested for failing to pull the bar down? Has law enforcement been called to deal with a repeat offender at an area?

I've never been fined or arrested or anything significant for not pulling the bar down, but I have had lifties yell at me for not pulling the bar down.

Note: I am scared of heights and I definitely like having the bar down. But I generally wait until the chair is at least up to full-speed (i.e., on a high-speed quad)... i.e., I'm not one of these "pull the bar down instantly" types, but I've learned to expect that behavior from many people.

 

[kcyanks1]

There are numerous states that have seat belt laws, but don't require helmets on motorcycles. Makes absolutely no sense to me as well. Perhaps they're just trying to thin the herd a bit.

I think it can make sense. Focusing on the driver of a car, the seatbelt keeps the driver in place at the wheel, with the ability to take further action. We want drivers in place. The law doesn't have to be a paternalistic attempt to protect the driver. It gets a bit tougher when you talk about other passengers, especially back seat ones. I think, but could be wrong, that some states don't require seatbelts in the back except for kids. A front-side passenger being thrown around can also interfere with the driver's ability to drive. Also, any passenger being thrown out of the car can cause a situation to escalate beyond what happens to that one individual.

On the other hand, a helmet only protects the one wearing it. It is only relevant *after* the rider is thrown from the bike. It doesn't allow the rider to possibly stay on the bike and make further manuevers to avoid an accident. Of course, maybe there's an argument that society pays for people not wearing helmets by having to foot medical bills, etc. (Or perhaps money is saved by people without helmets dying instantly.) But that type of argument is far removed from the direct impact a seatbelt can have as far as keeping a driver in position to drive and keeping other passengers out of the way.

 

[RichH]

I was amazed when I moved from Europe that people didn't use the safety bars. It just seems sensible to me. It's there, it isn't a hardship to put down and it may save your life in that 1 in a million situation. Foot rests are also more common in Europe which I think also helps in the usage of safety bars.

I feel if I get on the lift with someone with a child it's my duty to put the safety bar down - they need to keep an eye on their child, so it is the least I can do to help. I'd be in favor of a law that enforced their use for under 18s. Anyone over that can make their own decisions in life.

 

[Marc]

I was amazed when I moved from Europe that people didn't use the safety bars. It just seems sensible to me. It's there, it isn't a hardship to put down and it may save your life in that 1 in a million situation. Foot rests are also more common in Europe which I think also helps in the usage of safety bars.

I feel if I get on the lift with someone with a child it's my duty to put the safety bar down - they need to keep an eye on their child, so it is the least I can do to help. I'd be in favor of a law that enforced their use for under 18s. Anyone over that can make their own decisions in life.

And yet so many more of them are habitual tobacco smokers. Go figure. Guess they really don't have all the answers in the 'old world.'

 

[ssusca]

I was amazed when I moved from Europe that people didn't use the safety bars. It just seems sensible to me. It's there, it isn't a hardship to put down and it may save your life in that 1 in a million situation. Foot rests are also more common in Europe which I think also helps in the usage of safety bars.

I feel if I get on the lift with someone with a child it's my duty to put the safety bar down - they need to keep an eye on their child, so it is the least I can do to help. I'd be in favor of a law that enforced their use for under 18s. Anyone over that can make their own decisions in life.

+1

Welcome to AZone Rich

 

[SkiDork]

[RANT]

I love all the folks who spew lines like "I don't understand why its needed, I never slipped off" or "I feel safer with the bar up" etc. etc..

Fer christs sake - its a freakin safety feature. WTF would anyone try to shoot holes in it, unless they were lookin for a quick payday for their own death insurance money-wise...

[/RANT]

My $0.02

 

[Marc]

[RANT]

I love all the folks who spew lines like "I don't understand why its needed, I never slipped off" or "I feel safer with the bar up" etc. etc..

Fer christs sake - its a freakin safety feature. WTF would anyone try to shoot holes in it, unless they were lookin for a quick payday for their own death insurance money-wise...

[/RANT]

My $0.02

For me it's a combination of apathy, miniscule added value (if any), and a comfort with heights probably enhanced by doing things like climbing a 100' aerial with no hand rails and a 25 lb scott pack strapped to my back wearing slippery rubber-soled boots to sit in a metal bucket over a burning warehouse. The last fly section was about 14" wide. Boy that was fun.

 

[Greg]

(as long as they tell me they are going to do so before bonking me off the helmet due to my height)

I don't mind when other people put the bar down but I would appreciate a warning.

I see this a lot. Doesn't it make sense to simply assume the bar will come down soon after loading? I prefer it down, mostly cuz like DHS I like to lean on it, plus I don't like the feeling of it being up. I really don't care whether or not it's a valid safety issue, or should be a law, but when loading a lift you should assume it's coming down by somebody on the chair.

 

[kcyanks1]

I see this a lot. Doesn't it make sense to simply assume the bar will come down soon after loading? I prefer it down, mostly cuz like DHS I like to lean on it, plus I don't like the feeling of it being up. I really don't care whether or not it's a valid safety issue, or should be a law, but when loading a lift you should assume it's coming down by somebody on the chair.

I assume it will come down, but think it's friendly for someone to say "ready?" before lowering it. I also prefer to use it, and given the choice, would always use it. If I'm with someone who doesn't use it, sometimes I won't though.

 

[SkiDork]

I always say "comin down" and look for the other folks to react before I move it. Seems to work well.