Safety

1. Riders must wear shoes, knee pads and gloves (definitions in chapter Definitions).

2. Helmets are required for Downhill Gliding.
   Riders on wheels larger than 24 Class (or with gearing) must also wear helmets.

Unicycles

1. Only regular unicycles may be used. Riders may use different unicycles for different track events, as long as all comply with the rules for events in which they are entered.

2. When not otherwise specified, 24 Class is the maximum Unicycle Class above age 10. For age groups with a maximum age of 10 or younger, the maximum Unicycle Class is 20 Class. It is allowed to ride in any particular Class with a unicycle that fully conforms to a smaller Class (e.g. a 20 Class unicycle is allowed in a 24 Class race).

3. The youngest age group for 24 Class unicycles should have a minimum age of 0, so riders 10 and younger have the option of racing on 24 Class unicycles with those groups (e.g. 0-8 on 20 Class, 9-10 on 20 Class, 0-13 on 24 Class).

4. There is an allowable tire outer wheel diameter and minimum crank arm length for each Unicycle Class:

   Unicycle Class	Outer Wheel Diameter	Min Crank Length	Transmission
   16 Class	< 418mm	89mm	regular
   20 Class	418mm – 518mm	100mm	regular
   24 Class	518mm – 618mm	125mm	regular

5. Any unicycles in question must be checked for compliance within their Unicycle Class (wheel diameter, crank length and transmission), with the tire pressure that will be used in the event. Preferably, this check is carried out immediately before the race. Crank arm length is measured from the center of the wheel axle to the center of the pedal axle. Longer sizes may be used.

6. In all track events, shoes must not be fixed to the pedals in any way (no click-in pedals, toe clips, tape, magnets or similar).

Rider Identification

1. Riders must wear their race number clearly visible on their chest so that it is visible during the event and as the rider crosses the finish line (as relevant).

2. Additionally, the rider may be required to wear a chip for electronic timing.

Riders Must Be Ready

1. Riders must be ready when called for their races or attempts. Riders not at the start when their race or attempt begins may lose their chance to participate. The Starter or the Referee will decide when to stop waiting, remembering to consider language barriers, and the fact that some riders may be slow because they are helping run the convention.

Protests

1. Protests must be filed on an official form. Mistakes in paperwork, inaccuracies in placing, and interference from other riders or other sources are all grounds for protests.

   All Referee decisions are final, and cannot be protested.

2. For a large event such as Unicon or continental championships, the default protest time is 60 minutes (counting from the posting of results), the minimum is 30 minutes.

   For smaller events, the default protest time is 30 minutes, the minimum is 15 minutes.

   Every deviation from the default protest time has to be clearly announced when the results are posted, including stating the protest deadline on the results list itself.

   The protest time may be extended for riders who have to be in other races during the protest period.

3. All protests will be acknowledged within 30 minutes from the time they are received, and an effort will be made to settle the issue within those 30 minutes.

New Attempt After Obstruction

1. If a rider is obstructed due to the actions of another rider, or outside interference during an attempt, they may request to make a new attempt.

   The Referee decides if the request is granted

   A new attempt must not be granted to a rider who is disqualified based on something that happened before they were obstructed.

   Note: No complete definition of obstruction can be given, but it does include cases where a rider swerves, hesitates and/or decelerates because this is arguably necessary in order to avoid a crash or potential crash.

2. If the request is granted, the rider will be given a new attempt in technical disciplines. In the case of racing diciplines, the Referee has two options acording to 2.1 and 2.2 for an age group race, in case of an final race, the Referee has the option 2.3.

   1. Re-run the whole heat in question.
      In general, this option is preferred only if the heat includes the fastest riders within an age group. For the other riders in the heat, riding again is optional. If they decide to ride again, they agree to discard their previous result. If they don’t ride again, their previous result stands. If none of the other riders want to ride again, the Referee reverts to option 2.2.

   2. Do any of (a), (b) or (c), depending on the conditions.
      In general, this option is preferred if the heat in question did not include the fastest riders within an age group:

      1. If possible, the rider is added to an upcoming heat in his own age group; or

      2. If possible, the rider is added to an upcoming heat in another age group; or

      3. If none of the above is possible, the rider does his second attempt in a dedicated heat.

      In option 2.2 (c), the rider decides whether or not to have company. They can pick the riders, but cannot hold up the proceedings to wait for them if other riders are available. The Referee has the final say as to which extra riders are allowed to participate in such a heat. It must be stated clearly to any accompanying riders that their result is not official.

   3. Re-run the whole final.
      In the case of a final race the entire final must be re-run. This means that the initial run will be fully cancelled and only the new run will count for all riders of the final. Since a re-run of the entire final is a serious decision, the referee may only grant a re-run if there is a cause so serious to the entire final that a re-run of the race is justified.

3. In all cases, if the obstructed rider is allowed to do a new attempt and decides to do so, the first one is canceled and only the new one counts regardless of the result. In the case where a new attempt was incorrectly granted, for example when the rider was disqualified based on something that happened before the obstruction in question occurred, the result of the new attempt for that rider does not count and the result from the first one stands.

4. In non-lane-bound races, if a rider is forced to dismount due to a fall by the rider immediately in front, it is considered part of the race – not a reason to grant a new attempt – and all riders involved may remount and continue. The Referee can override this rule if intentional obstruction is observed.

Finals

1. At Unicons, a ‘final’ must be held for each of the following races: 100m, 400m, 800m, One Foot, Wheel Walk, and IUF Slalom. For any other Track discipline, a ‘final’ may be held at the discretion of the organizer, after all age group competition for that discipline has been completed.

2. Finals are subject to the same rules as age group competition, including false start rules and number of attempts. For disciplines that are run in heats this will take the form of a final heat. For disciplines that are not run in heats the final will take the form of successive attempts by the finalists.

3. The riders posting the best results regardless of age in the age group competition are entitled to compete in the final. They can be called “finalists”. For each final, the number of finalists (finalist teams in case of relay) will be eight, unless for an event that uses lanes, the number of usable lanes is less than eight. In that case the number of finalists equals the number of usable lanes. Finals are composed regardless of age group, but men and women competitors are in separate finals.

4. The best result in a final determines the men’s or women’s Champion for that discipline (World Champion in the case of Unicon). If a finalist disqualifies, gets a worse result, or doesn’t compete in the final, his/her result in age group competition will still stand. The winners of the finals will be considered the Champions for those disciplines, even if a different rider posted a better result in age group competition. In disciplines for which no finals are held, finalist status will still be awarded on the basis of results in age group competition. Accordingly, riders posting the best results in each discipline are the Champions for that discipline.

5. Speed records can be set in both age group competition and finals.

100 m Race

1. Lane-bound race over 100 m, where riders are started in separate lanes but from a common start line. No remounting after a dismount is allowed.

200 m Race

1. Lane-bound race over 200 m with a stagger start, where riders are started in separate lanes, at separate locations. No remounting after a dismount is allowed.

400 m Race

1. Lane-bound race over 400m with a stagger start, where riders are started in separate lanes, at separate locations. No remounting after a dismount is allowed.

800 m Race

1. There are two different ways to run the race over 800 m, remounting after a dismount is allowed in both ways:

   1. 800 m Race with Stagger Start:
      Riders are started in separate lanes, at separate locations. The race must be run as lane-bound race as far as the nearer edge of the breakline where riders may leave their respective lanes. After the breakline, the race must be run as non-lane-bound-race. The breakline must be an arced line marked after the first bend across all lanes other than lane 1. To assist riders identify the breakline, halved tennis balls can be placed on the lane lines immediately before the intersection of the lines and the breakline.

   2. 800 m with Waterfall Start:
      Riders are started at a common but curved starting line that places all riders an equal distance from the first turn. The race must be run as non-lane-bound-race from the start.

One Foot Race

1. Lane-bound race over 50 m, where riders may pedal with both feet for the first 5 meters, but must be pedaling with only one foot after crossing the 5 m line. All riders start in separate lanes but from a common start line. No remounting after a dismount is allowed.

2. The non-pedaling foot must have left the pedal when the tire contact point crosses the 5 m line on the track. The non-pedaling foot may or may not be braced against the unicycle fork.

Wheel Walk Race

1. Lane-bound race, where riders propel the unicycle only by pushing the tire with one or both feet. Riders in age groups with a maximum age of 10 or younger will race a 10 m Wheel Walk. All other riders will race a 30 m Wheel Walk. Riders start in separate lanes but from a common start line, mounted, with one or both feet on the tire. No remounting after a dismount is allowed.

2. No contact with pedals or crank arms is allowed during the race.

3. Rules on crank arm length do not apply.

Relay (Track)

1. The standard relay distances are 4 x 100 m and 4 x 400 m like in athletics. Remounting after a dismount is allowed in all relays.

   1. The 4 x 100 m relay is a lane-bound race for all legs. The race is started with a stagger start, where riders are started in separate lanes, at separate locations.

   2. The 4 x 400 m relay is a lane-bound race for the entire first leg. The second leg must be run as lane-bound race as far as the nearer edge of the breakline where riders may leave their respective lanes. After the breakline, the race must be run as non-lane-bound-race. The race is started with a stagger start, where riders are started in separate lanes, at separate locations.

2. In the 4 x 100m relay each takeover zone must be 30m long, in the 4 x 400m relay each takeover zone must be 20m. The takeover zones must be marked on the track. (The zones must start and finish at the edges of the zone lines nearest the start line in the running direction.)

   1. In the 4 x 100 m relay, riders are not permitted to line up outside their takeover zones, and must start within the zone.

   2. In the 4 x 400 m relay, there is no defined preparation area for the next riders. The riders of the second leg must line up in the lane assigned to their relay team at the start. The riders of the third and fourth legs must, under the direction of a designated judge, place themselves in their waiting position in the same order (inside to out) as the order of their respective team members as they enter the last bend. Once the incoming riders have passed this point, the waiting riders must maintain this order and may not change their positions. Waiting riders can take an inner position on the track as incoming team members approach, provided they do not obstruct another rider.

   If a rider does not follow this rule, their team must be disqualified.

3. A baton must be used for all relays and must be held by hand throughout the race. The baton must be a smooth hollow tube with a circular cross-section, made of wood, metal or other rigid material in one piece. It must be no longer than 0.30 m and no shorter than 0.28 m. The outer diameter must be 40 mm (± 2 mm) and the weight must not be less than 50 g. For relays in age groups with a maximum age of 10 or younger the outer diameter of the baton may be smaller but must not be less than 31 mm. It is recommended that the batons have different colors that are clearly visible during the race.

4. If the baton is dropped, it must be picked up by the rider who dropped it. To retrieve it, they may leave their lane, as long as they do not obstruct another rider. The rider must continue the race from the point where the baton was last in their hand. If a rider does not follow this rule, their team must be disqualified.

5. The handover of the baton must be within the takeover zone. This means that before the baton crosses the start mark of the takeover zone only the incoming rider is in touch with the baton and at the end of the takeover zone only the outgoing rider is in touch with the baton. Riders may not throw the baton to make a pass and may not touch the ground with any part of their body while making a pass. If the baton is not handed over within the marked takeover zone, the team will be disqualified.

6. Each member of a relay team may ride one leg only.

7. Mixed men/women teams may be used, and reasonable age groups may be used depending on the number of expected competitors of the event. Each relay team may have any mix of ages, the age of the oldest rider determines the age group.

The Start

1. Unless noted otherwise, riders start mounted, holding onto a starting post or other support, with the fronts of their tires (forward most part of wheel) behind the edge of the starting line that is farthest from the finish line. Riders may start from behind the starting line if they wish, provided all other starting rules are followed. Riders may place starting posts in the location most comfortable for them, as long as it doesn’t interfere with other riders.

2. Rolling starts are not permitted in any race. Riders may lean before the start, but their wheels may not move forward during the start beeps or counting down. Rolling back is allowed.

3. All commands of the starter are to be given in English at Unicon or international competitions. At other competitions, English is optional.

4. After the command “Ready”, all riders must move to their starting position. As soon as the Starter is satisfied that all riders are steady in the correct starting position, the Starter gives the command “Attention” and starts the race. This can be done by a start sequence as follows:

   1. Usually, a start-beep apparatus is used. This provides a six-count start: “beep – beep -beep – beep – beep – buup!” The timing between (the start of) successive beeps is one second. The first five beeps have all the same sound frequency. The final tone (buup) has a higher frequency, so that the competitors can easily distinguish this tone from the rest. The proper moment to start is the beginning of the final tone.
      Note: Commonly used electronic starting devices use frequencies of about 650 Hz for the first five tones and about 795 Hz for the sixth tone.

   2. As an alternative, the Starter will give a three-count start before firing a starting gun on the fourth count. Example: “One, two, three, BANG!” The time between (the start of) each of these elements must be the same, and approximately 1 second.

   Both variants allow the rider to start leaning ahead of the “buup/BANG”, for an exact and predictable start. It is recommended to use one or the other of those two options for all races in a competition if possible. The option to be used must be announced in advance of the competition.

5. If the Starter is not satisfied that all is ready for the start to proceed after the Starter gave the command “Ready” and the riders are on their starting position or they otherwise abort the start, the command should be “Go Back”. If a start-beep apparatus is used and the start sequence is already started the start should be aborted by blowing a whistle or other clear and predefined signal.

   Where a rider in the judgement of the Starter, after the command “Ready”,

   1. causes the start to be aborted, for instance by dismounting, without a valid reason (such reason to be evaluated by the Starter); or

   2. does not place themselves in their final starting position at once and without delay; or

   3. disturbs other riders in the race through sound, movement or otherwise,

   the Starter must abort the start. The Starter may warn the rider for improper conduct (disqualify in case of repeated infringement of the Rule). However, when an extraneous reason was considered to be the cause for aborting the start, or the Referee does not agree with the Starter’s decision, no rider gets warned or disqualified. This decision must be clearly indicated to the riders.

The Race

The Finish

1. The finish moment is when the front of the tire crosses the finish. The exact location of the finish is the edge of the finish line that is nearest to the starting line. Riders are thus not timed by outstretched bodies.

2. At the finish moment, riders must be mounted and in control of the unicycle. “Control” is defined as follows:

   1. in regular races: the rider has both feet on the pedals; or

   2. in one-foot races: the rider has one foot on a pedal; or

   3. in wheel walk races: the rider continues to wheel walk.

3. In races in which remounting after a dismount is allowed (800m, Relay, etc.), in the event that a rider does cross the finish line but not in control, the rider must back up on foot, remount and ride across the finish line in control.

IUF Slalom

1. The IUF Slalom is a parcours consisting of 10 cones, as shown in figure IUF Slalom Course, which must be run through as fast as possible in the correct pattern, without knocking cones over. No remounting after a dismount is allowed. Riders get two attempts.

2. The rider has to start directly behind the Start line. The Starter gives the opening by indicating the start of the 3-second time window to cross the start line. The timer is started when any defined point of the tire (for example the part that crosses a low light beam) crosses the start line, and stops when a similar point of the tire crosses the finish line. If the rider has not yet started after 3 seconds, the timer will start counting anyway. This does not invalidate the attempt. Time measurement at start and finish line must be identical to insure accurate time measurement.

3. It must be secured that riders do not gain momentum before crossing the start line (no flying starts). If a flying start occurs, the start must be aborted by a clear and predefined signal. Flying starts can be automatically detected and signalled to the rider, e.g. by a light barrier system behind the rider at the start or by the responsible judge. If this happens the first time during an attempt, the rider is allowed to start over, but if it happens the second time, the attempt is invalid.

4. Cones may be hit, but not knocked over, otherwise the attempt is invalid. The course must be followed correctly, including the direction of turns. Riders who go the wrong way around a cone can go back and make the turn the correct way with the clock still running, otherwise the attempt is invalid. Arrows marked on the ground should indicate the direction of the turns for riders unfamiliar with the course. The last cone must be completely circled before the rider’s time is taken at the finish line.

5. The cones used are plastic or similar material traffic cones. Cones must be between 45 and 60 cm tall and the base plate must fit inside a square with side length 32 cm. The cones should be stable enough to stay put even in a stiff wind. Cones that do not have a round base plate must be aligned with at least one side parallel to the start/finish line.

6. The course must be set up accurately. The proper positions of the cones should be marked on the ground for a cone to be replaced quickly after it has been knocked over. An area of at least 1.5 m in depth must be kept clear in front of the start line/behind the finish line, in which only equipment directly needed for timing is allowed to be located. With electronic timing, the light beams at the start and finish should be placed in such a way that the rider can cross the start and finish line at any reasonable location.

7. At least one practice course is required. If the practice course is not on a surface similar to the timed course, each rider should be allowed one practice run before their timed run. If they do not do both of their timed runs at the same time, another practice run should be allowed before the rider’s second timed attempt.

Track Coasting

1. An event to determine which rider coasts the furthest distance. No remounting after a dismount is allowed. Riders get two attempts.

2. Rules on crank arm length do not apply.

3. There is a 30 meter speed-up distance. Riders’ coasting distances are measured from a ‘starting line’ with a 5 meter minimum, which will be marked by a ’qualifying line.’ The distance is measured to the rearmost part of the rider that touches the ground when dismounting, or to the tire contact point where the rider stops coasting. The farthest distance from the ’starting line’ wins.

4. If the rider does not cross the ’qualifying line’ it will count as an invalid attempt. If a rider crosses the ’starting line’ (tire contact point) not in coasting position, it will count as an invalid attempt.

5. The competition must be held on a standard athletics competition track with the surface as clean as possible. The speed-up distance must begin with the straight, thus allowing the riders to first coast as far as possible on the straight before entering the bend. The inside must be on the left in the direction of coasting.

6. Ample time must be allowed for all riders to make some practice runs on the course before the official start.

7. Wind must be at a minimum for records to be set and broken.

Track Gliding

1. An event to determine which rider glides the furthest distance. In Gliding, the balance has to be kept all the time by the braking action between one or both feet and the top of the tire. If, for example, the foot loses contact with the tire due to small bumps, the contact must be restored immediately. No remounting after a dismount is allowed. Riders get two attempts.

2. It is held on a track with the same rules as Track Coasting paragraphs 2. to 9. (Trackcoasting), with the addition that the riding surface must be dry.

Downhill Gliding

1. A downhill race in gliding for speed. In Gliding, the balance has to be kept all the time by the braking action between one or both feet and the top of the tire. If, for example, the foot loses contact with the tire due to small bumps, the contact must be restored immediately. Riders start from a standstill, or speed up to the ’starting line’ and are timed over a measured distance to the finish line. No remounting after a dismount is allowed. Riders get two attempts.

2. Rules on crank arm length do not apply.

3. Helmets are mandatory.

4. The timer is started when any defined point of the tire (for example the part that crosses a low light beam) crosses the start line, and stops when a similar point of the tire crosses the finish line.

5. In case of a dismount before the finish line, it will count as an invalid attempt.

Slow Balance Forward

1. In Slow Balance Forward, the rider rides a distance of 10 meters in a continuous forward motion as slowly as possible without stopping, going backward, hopping or twisting more than 45 degrees to either side. Any age group with riders of 11 years or older must use a board of 15 cm wide. Any age group with no riders of 11 years or older must use a board of 30 cm wide at Unicon; in other conventions the host may choose to use either a 15 cm wide board or a 30 cm wide board for this age group. Tires may overlap the edges of the board, but if the tire contacts the ground next to the board, that would be the end of that attempt.

2. There are no crank arm length or wheel size restrictions for this event.

3. The only required safety gear is shoes.

Slow Balance Backward

1. This is the same as Slow Balance Backward, with the following differences in italic:

   1. Riders ride backward.

   2. It is an error to ride forward.

   3. Any age group with riders of 11 years or older must use a board of 30 cm wide. Any age group with no riders of 11 years or older must use a board of 60 cm wide at Unicon; in other conventions the host may choose to use either a 30 cm wide board or a 60 cm wide board for this age group.

   4. For Unicon a minimum of 15 seconds is required to achieve a valid result. For any age group with no riders of 11 years or older the minimum time is 10 seconds.

Stillstand

1. Stillstand is a competition in which the rider attempts to balance as long as possible on a 25 cm long, 10 cm wide, and 3 cm tall block of wood without hopping or turning the tire more than 45 degrees. Riders get two attempts.

2. The competition should take place indoors on a level surface.

3. The only required safety gear is shoes.

4. The 2 attempts can be done at any time during the time window set by the host. The host can decide to add to each of the 2 attempts a window up to 20 seconds, in which the rider can start the number of tries needed.

5. The starting post is placed anywhere the rider prefers. Time starts running when the rider lets go of the starting post. After time starts running, the starting post will be taken away. Time stops at the moment when the rider rides off the board, dismounts, starts hopping or turns the tire more than 45 degrees.

6. There are no finals for the Stillstand competition. The overall results will be determined by the best results for men and women respectively.