Agreements
Eligibility and access to railtrails4women.com — RT4W — is offered to female participants who are 21 years of age or older with a valid active email address, which is required to register.
Account members are responsible for keeping credentials secure, not sharing access, and maintaining accurate information. Users agree to generate passwords that are lengthy, random, and have no connection to your personal life. For example, a passphrase is a password made up of a collection of completely random unrelated words. Length, punctuation, and numbers increase safety.
“Allowing a web browser to save your passwords creates major security vulnerabilities because browsers prioritize convenience over robust protection.” Not only can malware or attackers extract encrypted data they can then use your credentials to hack your list of password-protected sites. Likewise for unlocked or remotely shared devices.
Acceptable use of this platform includes Chat and Forum discussion features plus other resources, listed on the Membership Benefits page and accessed from the Contents page.
By posting, you legally promise that you are the creator or have the explicit permission to post the content. This means you grant the platform the right to use your content without infringing on third-party copyrights, trademarks, or privacy rights.
Forum members’ content should not be used as a substitute for professional, medical, or legal advice. Posts and opinions reflect the individual users’ views and do not represent the official stance, opinions, or policies of the platform owners or their staff.
The forum does not verify, guarantee, or endorse the accuracy or reliability of any user posts and discourages posting external links. The forum is provided without warranties or guarantees of any kind.
Software or performance bugs may prevent the platform from being online 100% of the time. Use the Contact form to report bugs.
Users agree to abide by intellectual property rights and agree to indemnify the platform (cover their legal costs/damages) if your post results in a lawsuit for intellectual property infringement.
Admin reserves the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate terms. Terms may be updated as needed.
Riders are responsible for knowing and abiding by the governing bicycle laws — including electric bikes — in the state(s) they ride in. “Electric bikes pose unique safety risks due to their heavier weight, rapid acceleration, and high speeds, leading to a sharp rise in severe traumatic brain injuries, fractures and hospitalizations.” I recently witnessed a solo e-bike rider losing control of her bike and sustaining a serious leg wound upon impact.
Privacy and Confidentiality of Members
RT4W has been established for the purpose of safely organizing and creating opportunities for women who may want to bicycle (or walk!) together on rail trails and similar environments, within a safe, supportive community.
Membership focuses on inclusivity, pro-social communication, acceptance and encouragement for those who want to overcome barriers to personal (and/or economic) growth. Respect for privacy of members is paramount to preserving the intent and spirit of the community.
Revealing or publicly exposing private or personal information about other members is grounds for removal. Recording or capturing forum or chat posts for harassment, stalking, or blackmail is a crime.
Sharing screenshots, member identities, or proprietary resources outside the platform is strictly forbidden. Distributing the community’s exclusive content or courses to nonmembers violates terms of service. RT4W is designed to be ad-free space. Spamming the chat or posts or engaging in unsolicited mass messaging of other members is not permitted.
Members are encouraged to keep posts relevant to the specific channels or topics at hand to maximize engagement and encourage continued participation. The platform or community owner reserves the absolute right to edit, hide, or delete your posts if they violate community guidelines or are deemed inappropriate.
Self-promotion is typically confined to specific threads such as a designated “networking” category — and is encouraged. “Historically, men outpaced women professionally because traditional networking occurred in male-dominated spaces … and tied advancement to informal after-hours bonding. Structural exclusions, social penalties for ambitious women, and unequal domestic burdens further limited women’s access to high-status resource loops.” -Science Direct
If disagreements arise members are expected to keep discussions civilized and polite. If you disagree with someone, be curious! Think about their position then offer a constructive alternative to the idea or plan. Be willing to accept there may not be a consensus.
There is Zero Tolerance for harassment, personal attacks, bullying, hate speech, gossip, or similar forms of verbal or emotional aggression, any of which are grounds for removal from the community.
If you are being subjected to aggression by another member, document the events and report violations to the admin via the Contact form link.
Website Privacy Policy
Until more recently, there has been a general lack of awareness regarding the extent to which free social media platforms are built to track users’ behavior. There is enormous profit-making incentive to build social platforms expressly for the purpose of extensive data collection, algorithmic processing, and commercial exploitation of personal information to relentlessly intrude into our lives. BTW behavior analysts have been tracking behavior before anyone ever heard of the internet, though for more altruistic reasons — to improve lives.
We do not sell or share your personal data. We use your information to operate our website, respond to your inquiries, process transactions, and improve our services via First-Party resources, which include web hosting and website community forum cookies to recognize member details in order to access and use the platform; to maintain security; and, to allow pages to load safely and correctly.
We implement core-security measures to exclude Third-Party cookies, which are used to track consumer behavior. Browser settings also allow consumers to turn off Third-Party Cookies. In Google Chrome menu settings > privacy and security > third-party cookies > block third-party cookies. Look for a similar sequence on Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Safari browsers.
While mobile apps offer convenience, “Direct website access is generally safer for your privacy and data control; experts note that while both platforms have risks, browsers often provide better protection against invasive data tracking.”
If this policy is updated to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements, the revised policy will be posted on this page.
Bicycling Waiver & Release
To participate in bicycling-related activities organized by RailTrails4Women (RT4W) you understand and agree to the following:
Recognition of Risk: I understand that bicycling activities are physically challenging and involve inherent risks that RT4W cannot eliminate entirely. These include the risk of personal injury, such as falling or colliding with riders or objects.
Assumption of Risk: I voluntarily assume all recognized risks associated with my participation in bicycling. I have read, understand, and accept bicycle-specific laws (available online) for the U.S. state(s) I’m riding in.
Release of Liability: To the fullest extent permitted by law, I release RT4W, its administrators, and organizers from any liability for injury, loss, or damage arising from my participation. I accept that participation in bicycling is entirely at my own risk. I consent to emergency medical treatment if I experience a serious injury of incapacitation during a ride (or walk!).
Rules: I confirm that I am a female who is 21 years of age or older; that I will behave responsibly and reasonably at all times; that I will follow all instructions and safety guidelines. I confirm that I know and practice my state’s bicycle laws including wearing a helmet, which may or may not be required. (If not required, wearing a helmet is highly recommended to prevent or reduce serious head injury by 80%.)
I confirm that I am a sufficiently competent cyclist to handle all road, traffic, and weather conditions; that my bicycle is properly maintained and in safe operating condition; that I’m dressed for the climate and have sufficient hydration/snacks and bike tools to complete the ride.
Fitness to Participate: I confirm that I am physically capable of participating and will not participate while under the influence of any mind-altering substance or otherwise diminished state of health. I have read and understood this waiver and agree voluntarily.
Photo and Media Release: By choosing to remove myself prior to a photo opportunity, I can decline participation in the photo. Otherwise, I agree to participate in having my photo taken during group events for possible RT4W YouTube or website posting.
Payment and Cancellation Policy: This community and its contents are provided ‘as-is’ and ‘as-available’ without warranties or guarantees of any kind. With the Just Curious membership at $27 for 4 months, there is no commitment to continue after your initial membership. There is no recurring billing and therefore cancellation is neither required nor available. However, if members are interested, a subscription option is also possible as membership grows.
By completing the payment and registration process to become a member, I am confirming my acceptance and compliance with the Terms of Service, including Agreements, Privacy Policies, Bicycling Waiver, and Payment Policies required to join and to maintain membership in the railtrails4women Bicycling Community.
Just Curious Benefits