Yup, turning while going backwards can be very dangerous. If you turn too quickly going forward, there's a good chance you can just step off if you lose your balance, but it's hard to "step off" and not fall going backwards. I'm having a very hard time finding people who are willing to learn to ride because nearly everyone thinks, and usually says, "I'd bust my *** on that thing." When I'm teaching someone to ride, I emphasize two, related primary rules: 1) Don't push on the knee bar unless you intend to turn, and 2) DON'T TURN WHILE BACKING UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I taught a friend to ride and we were having a blast until he fell twice and sprained both wrists. Now he won't ride at all. Guess what he did both times that made him fall?