Safety Procedures
Everyone rides at their own risk and should seek to minimise that risk. Safety is not taken for granted and it is every rider’s responsibility to ride safely to compensate for the hazards inherent in cycling. (refer hazard identification plan)
Cycling is a hazardous sport and cyclists are vulnerable to poor road conditions, variable weather conditions, demanding riding practices (e.g. bunches, speed and close following distance), behaviour of traffic and pedestrians, lack of visibility, hard surfaces and road hazards.
The principal problem is that roads were not designed for cycles and vehicles. The public and other road users are not respectful of cyclists' safety. The presence of cyclists often antagonizes other road users, mainly by cyclists inadvertently holding up traffic. We can influence this in our riding practices and attitude. We must continually improve practices and as a group lobby for safety improvements.
Riders are responsible not only for their own safety, but can cause the group’s safety to be compromised. Some individual roles attract greater responsibility e.g. bunch leaders, front riders etc. Front riders have a special responsibility for indications and calls. Front riders should be experienced, have some reserve energy and be decisive. Often a judgment as whether to call a relatively insignificant hazard, or to ride through a hazard to avoid a greater one needs to be made. (e.g. move into traffic lane to avoid glass). However at the end of the day you are responsible for getting yourself home safe, always check again that it is still clear to proceed especially when crossing intersections or navigating hazards as prevailing conditions may have changed since the orginal "call" especially in long or spread out peletons.
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Onslow Cycling Hazard Identification and Treatment Plan |
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Hazard |
Risk |
Mitigant |
Treatment plan |
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Poor road conditions (Surface, markings, signage) |
Slide, Skid, Accident, Injury Getting lost |
Avoid road markings Ride to the conditions Know the route Report road condition issues to WCC |
Publicise riding techniques Pre-ride route briefings |
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Weather conditions (Wet, hot, cold, windy, sunny) |
Hypothermia Sunburn, sunstroke, sunstrike Accident |
Appropriate clothing Sunburn protection Ride to the conditions Don’t ride if conditions too bad |
Route selection pre-ride Ride leaders manage impact
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Equipment failure |
Accident/injury Puncture |
Bike and equipment maintenance Tyres in good condition and correct pressure Carry spare tubes and tools Carry phone, cash and card |
Web site to set expectations that bike maintained, riders carry spare gear and can get home independently |
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Other road users (Vehicles, pedestrians, bicycles) |
Collision Accident, injury Near miss |
Obey road rules Signal and communicate obstacles Thank and acknowledge courteous behaviour |
Pre-ride briefing Ride leaders monitor Riders obey road rules, wear visible clothing and have lights at night Be prepared for and don’t react to criticism |
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Breaking road rules, including road code |
Collision Police enforcement |
Obey Road rules Cycle where permitted |
Riders responsibility Pre-ride briefing reinforce Ride leaders monitor |
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Rider capability (Experience/inexperience, medical conditions, fatigue/drink & drugs, inattention/distraction) |
Accident, injury Get lost or dropped from bunch Loss of energy and concentration Other riders goals not achieved Bunches too large |
Riding skills – individual and bunch Ride in appropriate bunch Safety evening Adequate food and hydration Carry medication Don’t ride when under influence No i-pods or cell phones when riding Riders take responsibility |
Rider responsibility philosophy publicised Comprehensive good riding practices on web site (covering all relevant mitigants) Pre-ride briefing covers route, bunch selection and relevant riding practices Ride leaders monitor and manage Accept advice from experienced riders Trained ride leaders |
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Damage to OTB reputation (including legal risk) |
Loss of credibility Loss of riders from group Negative publicity Police prosecution |
Develop safety plan and policies Use of web site and email group (no bullying or discrimination) Incident management processes Incident reporting and assessment Adequate event planning (e.g. TTT, Martinborough ride) |
Develop safety planning, policies and practices Display safety policy and information on web site Report and record incidents and reassess safety plans Event organisers follow safety plans |