As it does with all adventure sports alike, there comes an element of danger with mountain biking too. So technically you could classify it as a sport that is dangerous. What slips through the cracks with this argument is that any activity, safe or not, can be considered dangerous and at the end of the day can be classified as deadly. 

Mountain biking is an adventure sport that a lot of people are passionate about, irrespective of gender, age, etc. And the ‘adventure’ part of it, makes it more appealing than it might normally seem. So to anwser your question, ‘Is mountain biking dangerous?’ I would say there are a lot of things that could be considered as hazards while considering mountain biking but there are also a lot of things that make the sport seem safe and enjoyable. 

While mountain biking is not for the faint of heart, it is an adrenaline boosting activity and is chosen time and time again because of that. With that being said, mountain biking is not for amateurs and by that, I mean people who are newbies to riding bikes altogether. Mountain biking essentially is off-roading and riding bikes on risky and rough terrains. So if the situation is not handled well, it could lead to major injuries, single and multiple, and sometimes even worse. 

There is no sugar coating it, mountain biking can prove to be quite dangerous if not taken seriously. 

Now this is not to say that there are not sports more dangerous by comparison but there are certain things that you need to accept before you can start mountain biking avidly. 

There is no one else to blame but yourself

If you mess up and by mess up, I mean really mess up. That is 100 percent on you. Sure there is no one that is going to make you sign consent forms before you go ahead and throw yourself off the mountain but you need to understand that amateur riding cannot be blamed on anyone. 

You could blame the trail maker, file a lawsuit against the brand/company that designed your bike but you are never going to be able to take back the damage that you might have caused to yourself and your body. That is permanent. And you need to understand that before you start mountain biking. Sometimes you might take the wrong turn and fall into a bush but another time you might fall off a cliff, there is no reimbursement for life and that is something you should consider before you even think about mountain biking. 

Do you require training before you start mountain biking?

YES. Just like any other adventure sport you need a special set of skills to pull something like mountain biking off without hurting yourself in the process. In this case, it can be as simple as knowing how to ride a bike well. If you are not confident riding a bike on a concrete pavement, with some to no possibility of hurting yourself, then you really should not be thinking about mountain biking. 

There is a reason why mountain biking is considered an adventure sport and normal biking is not. The correct form of order to starting your mountain biking experience is;

Concrete pavements/City parks

Learn how to ride a bike, well. This should not be a category at all, but just so the information is out there. To ensure your own safety, you need to be absolutely sure of your skills, there should be no hesitation on your end when it comes to riding your bike. 

If you can’t trust yourself on a concrete pavement, do not bother going further. Make sure that you’re confident and ready for the next step.

Rough trails (Easy ones)

Once you are sure of how well you can drive your bike you can move onto easing into mountain biking. Mountain biking does not only involve riding bikes on an actual mountain. Any form of off-roading, also known as, riding a terrain that is not meant to be ridden using a normal bike, is considered a part of mountain biking. 

You can start with terrains that are rough but straight(do not involve a lot of sharp turns). Know that this process might seem a little too slow but it is only in place to secure your life and body. 

Rough trails (Difficult ones)

Eventually when you have been off-roading for a while you can start exploring terrains that involve sharp turns, extremely bumpy roads, etc. This will help you identify how well versed you are with your riding and if you can trust yourself on a hill. 

Spend some time riding these difficult terrains and master your turning skills and learn ways to maintain your balance. 

Mountain rides

When you think you are 100 percent ready to take on mountains and the danger they come with, move to riding on mountains. Do not indulge in paths that are infamous for the gruesome accidents that happen there. I know they seem intriguing but nothing is worth your safety. 

Can you die while mountain biking?

It is a very plausible situation. Accidents happen and no one can control it. People have died while mountain biking and they will, in the future. There are a multitude of events that might lead to this happening, you could lose your balance and fall off a cliff, your allergies could start acting up and no one would be around to help you, you might fall in the worst way possible and break your neck, etc. 

There is really no way in which it can be portrayed in a pink light to make it seem less harsh. In fact, everyone looking to start mountain biking should be completely aware of the possible dangers that might befall them, once they start mountain biking. And it is not just about dying, people have been paralysed, seriously hurt and sometimes been lucky enough to only get out with minor scratches coming out of a deadly situation. 

So the best way to approach this is to know exactly what you are doing and prepare for the worst. I know it is not enjoyable to think about your death when you are trying to do an activity for fun, but the more cautious you are, the better it is for you. 

Is there anything you can do to ensure your safety?

Again, the answer to this question is yes. There are one too many things you can do to make this experience as enjoyable and as safe as possible. For starters, know what you are doing. You would not go skydiving without training, would you? Same goes for mountain biking. 

Make sure that all of your equipment is safe and working well, this especially includes your bike. Always, always, check your bike before you head out for a ride. You might not notice anything at first glance and might think everything is okay but you really do not want to leave that to chance. Your bike tires might be running low on air, your bike chain might be too tight, anything that can make you lose balance is a hazard and should be checked and accounted for. 

Somedays you might find nothing and on other days, you will be thankful that you spotted the problem before it turned into a bigger one. 

Now this is just a precaution and you could skip it if you want to but it is advisable to carry essential items when you go mountain biking. 

Getting lost while biking is a very real problem. And most of the time you won’t be able to get any network on your phone to find your way out. Equip yourself with essential items like water, some form of food, maps, beepers(in case of emergency), first aid essentials, etc. 

Hopefully you will not ever have to use any of these things but you can never be too cautious. 

If you have allergies of any form, make sure that you have your epi-pen on you. You never know the kind of things you find in these terrains and you sure do not want to find out and not have a way to save yourself. If you ride alone, this is specifically for you, keep everything that you can use to save yourself on you. You never know when you might need those things. 

Another thing that you should consider carrying, and this might seem like a lot, but try to carry equipment that could help you fix your bike if the situation ever demands it. This is not to say that you carry with you a pump for filling up your tires or grease to grease your tires, all this should be covered when you check your bike before riding out. 

All you need to have on you, in case of an emergency, is maybe a screwdriver, something to fix your brakes, a tool to loosen the nuts on your tires, etc. Things that would present their need if things head south. It is always better to be safe than sorry. 

Conclusion

All things considered, mountain biking is quite dangerous but it is not deadly, for the most part. If you show enough caution and know how to handle yourself out there, you will not only come back safe but also enjoy yourself while you are out there. While it is important that you be responsible, you need to also enjoy the process of it.