I was reading the Kids on Bikes 2. edition corebook and I noticed how much it focuses on making the game safe for everyone. The first chapter is all about making sure everyone states what topics can be in the game or should be avoided entirely. It's great. Safety tools are always good to have.

However I have some thoughts about this. First of all most of the rulebooks I have read put the safety tools to the end of the GM section (if they have any safety tools mentioned). I feel putting them right at the beginning will make new players and GMs focusing on them too much just like they tend to focus on using the rules like they are law. And this can weigh on the game.

But since the Kids on Bikes are a collaborative narrative game, it could be to make sure everyone is clear about them when they do their narration whether they are the GM or a player.

But here is another thing then. The Kids on Bikes gives you a list of triggers like bullying, racism, sexual harassment, harm to animals, police brutality, even police presence. It says that the GM and the players on session zero should discuss which one they want to leave out of the game. Nothing wrong with this actually, because most of the players probably would say "everything is fine, we can take it". And those who would leave out something is the exception. But it made me think.

I have read somewhere, that listing triggers actually makes their effect worse compared to when you just encounter them unexpectedly, because you expect them and your brain work on it to "meet your expectation". This is why I think this trigger listing is not the best safety tool. And also because it can limit the story severely, because these triggers are most of the time the theme or plot of a game. Of course there are cases where the players should be asked about if it is okay. For me these are things when something bad happens to children.

I prefer to use the X card as a safety tool: a card that can be raised by anyone who feels the story is getting uncomfortable for them signaling they want it to fade to black. The X card is great, because it adds control without opening up about the specific reason. Also it does not eliminate the experience right from the start. Roleplaying is not therapy, but with a good GM it can be a safe place to try things out, express yourself, work on something without actual consequences. And finally, the X card is simple.

The Kids on Bikes makes this safety thing a whole system on itself which is overwhelming. But don't take this the wrong way. Safety is important, but it should not be overdone.