Bicycle Definition

Bicycle means a two or three wheeled vehicle designed for transport primarily by pedaling including a Pedelec (Pedal Electric Cycle) or E-Bike which is a bicycle with electrically motorized assistance not exceeding a maximum of 1200 watts and does not require a motor vehicle, moped or motorcycle license to operate. It includes bicycles specifically built or adapted to carry a passenger.

Bicycle Park Definition

Bicycle Park means a purpose-built recreational environment made for Freeriding, BMX-style Riding, skiing, snowboarding, skateboarding, scooter, wheelchair, and aggressive inline skating.

BMX-Style Riding Definition

BMX-style Riding means riding a Bicycle while engaging in, training for, or participating in any sub-discipline of BMX-style Riding, including:

• Park - Characterized by riding a Bicycle on a series of wooden or cement ramps designed specifically for BMX bicycles or skateboards.

• Street - Characterized by riding a Bicycle on natural or man-made terrains within cities, such as ledges, curbs, broken glass, and burns, or anything on-street not made specifically to be ridden on.

• Dirt - Characterized by riding a Bicycle on jumps formed from packed dirt, rollers, berms, and doubles.

• Flatland - Characterized by riding a Bicycle on flat ground and including various balancing and spinning techniques while standing in awkward positions on various parts of the bike, including the pegs, handlebars, and seat.

• Racing - Characterized by riding a Bicycle in formally or informally organized heats, also called motos.

Covered Accident Definition

Covered Accident means an Accident that occurs while:

• your coverage is in force; and

• You are riding a Bicycle for pleasure or training purposes or participating in a Cycling Event; and results in an Injury for which benefits are payable. Riding a Bicycle includes getting on and off the Bicycle and riding as a passenger only on a Bicycle specifically built or adapted to carry a passenger.

Cycling Event Definition

Cycling Event means any organized group ride, charity ride, scheduled race, or group bicycle tour in which You are riding a Bicycle. Cycling Event includes travel on a Bicycle without deviation or interruption between Your home and the Cycling Event site. 

Dismemberment Definition

Dismemberment means the loss of:

• Two or More Members - 100% of benefit amount selected.

• One Member - 50% of benefit amount selected.

• Thumb and Index Finger of the Same Hand - 25% of benefit amount selected.

"Member" means loss of hand or foot, loss of arm or leg, loss of sight, loss of speech and loss of hearing.

"Loss of Hand or Foot" means complete severance through or above the wrist or ankle joint.

"Loss of Arm or Leg" means complete severance through or above the elbow or knee joint.

"Loss of Sight" means total and permanent loss of sight of one eye that is irrecoverable, including by surgical and artificial means.

"Loss of Speech" means total and permanent loss of audible communication that is irrecoverable by natural, surgical or artificial means.

"Loss of Hearing" means permanent total deafness in both ears such that it cannot be corrected by any aid or device.

"Loss of Thumb and Index Finger of the Same Hand" means complete severance of each through or above the metacarpophalangeal joint of both digits of the same hand.

"Severance" means the complete separation and dismemberment of the part from the body.

Freeriding Definition

Freeriding means a discipline of mountain biking closely related to Downhill with a focus on dirt jumping, tricks, style, and technical terrain features without a set course, goals, or rules.

Gravity Events Definition

Gravity Events means riding a Bicycle while participating in a cycling discipline that is primarily characterized by the starting line of the activity being at a higher altitude than the finish line. These disciplines include, but are not limited to, Downhill, Enduro, Dual Slalom, Mountain Cross (Four Cross or 4x) and Super D as defined by the 2017 USA Cycling Rulebook.

Helmet Definition

Helmet means protective headgear which meets or exceeds the impact standards for Bicycle helmets set by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission or such successor organization or standard as designated by the insurer.

Paralysis Definition 

Paralysis means total loss of use. A physician must determine the loss of use to be complete and not reversible.

• Hemiplegia means total paralysis of upper and lower limbs on one side of the body.

• Paraplegia means total paralysis of both lower limbs or both upper limbs.

• Quadriplegia means total paralysis of both upper and lower limbs.

• Uniplegia means total paralysis of one lower limb or one upper limb.

Professional Bicycle Racer Definition

Professional Bicycle Racer means a person who, in the previous 12 months prior to application, has received any form of remuneration totaling more than $1,000 for Bicycle racing and/or is a registered rider on a Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) team.

Severe & Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury Definitions

Severe Traumatic Brain Injury means a traumatically-induced structural injury to the brain with physiological disruption of brain function resulting directly and independently of all other causes from a Covered Accident:

1. Indicated by the presence of the following clinical signs:

   • a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of eight (8) or less or an equivalent result on another coma severity scale as approved by Us; and either:

   • loss of consciousness for a period of twenty-four (24) hours or more; or

   • Post Traumatic Amnesia (PTA) persisting for seven (7) days or more as measured by the Galveston Orientation and Amnesia Test (GOAT); PTA is considered to have ended when a GOAT score of seventy-five (75) or more is achieved on three (3) consecutive administrations.

2. Directly and independently resulting in:

   • physical, cognitive, emotional or behavioral functional impairment requiring admission to a Long Term Acute Care Hospital; and

   • subsequent rehabilitative treatment by any or all of the following: Physicians, psychologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists.

Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury means a traumatically-induced structural injury to the brain with physiological disruption of brain function resulting directly and independently of all other causes from a Covered Accident:

1. Indicated by the presence of the following clinical signs:

   • a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of nine (9) to twelve (12) or an equivalent result on another coma severity scale as approved by Us; and

   • loss of consciousness for a period of at least thirty (30) minutes.

2. Directly and independently resulting in:

   • physical, cognitive, emotional, or behavioral functional impairment requiring admission to a Hospital; and

   • subsequent rehabilitative treatment by any or all of the following: Physicians, psychologist, physical therapist, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists.

Stunt or Acrobatic Act Definition

 Stunts or Acrobatic Act means a difficult or dangerous feat or trick requiring extreme agility and characterized by one or more of the following:

• Freeriding or BMX-style Riding;

• Rotations purposefully conducted while in the air.

Individuals are eligible to apply in Balance if you are:

• An amateur or recreational cyclist or a Professional Bicycle Racer

• A U.S. resident

• Between the ages of 18 and 79

• Living in a state where Balance is available

We retain the right to investigate eligibility status to verify eligibility requirements are met. If we discover the eligibility requirements are not met, our only obligation is to refund any premium paid.

Coverage area is worldwide, 24/7/365.

To help protect from the financial consequences of an accident at an affordable price, there are some things we can't cover:

• Suicide, attempted suicide or intentional self-inflicted injury while sane or insane.

• War or any act of war, declared or undeclared.

• Sickness, disease or any bacterial infection, except one that results from an accidental cut or wound or pyogenic infections that result from accidental ingestion of contaminated substances.

• Commission or attempt to commit a felony or that occurs while engaged in an illegal occupation.

• Voluntarily taking any drug or narcotic unless the drug or narcotic is prescribed by a physician. (Not applicable in KY; KY residents see State Specific Exclusions below.)

• Intoxication or being under the influence of any drug or narcotic. (Not applicable in KY; KY residents see State Specific Exclusions below.)

• Performing any Bicycle Stunt or Acrobatic Act.

• Riding a Bicycle while engaging in, training for, or participating in Gravity Events, Freeriding, or BMX-style Riding.

• Riding a Bicycle within a Bicycle Park.

• Riding as a passenger on a Bicycle not specifically built or adapted to carry a passenger.

• Riding a Bicycle for compensation of any kind, except as a Professional Bicycle Racer, regardless of whether or not Workers’ Compensation applies.

State Specific Exclusions:

• KY: Being intoxicated or under the influence of any narcotic or hallucinogenic unless administered on the advice of a Physician.

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