Safety on club runs/Cancellation of club runs
Whilst it must be recognised that there are inherent risks to personal safety in undertaking any cycling activity, the club is concerned so far as it is reasonably possible, to minimise those risks.
The following guidelines have therefore been instituted and apply to all Runs Leaders and riders.
Ride Leaders
Runs Leaders are appointed by mutual consent of the group they are leading. Runs leaders should preferably be experienced riders familiar with the route that they are leading.
Elsewhere in the club handbook are guides for riders with particular reference to the role of a
Ride Leader.
Coordinating rides
As an additional safeguard the committee will liaise with the appointed Rides Leaders in all categories. Rides leaders will communicate to the Secretary any matter of concern regarding safety issues, including the persistently erratic or disruptive conduct of any rider, and the
prevailing or expected weather conditions which may affect the safety of the ride itself.
The committee has the ultimate sanction having considered any matter brought thus to their attention by the Secretary, or of their own volition, to cancel any ride (and/or, if appropriate, invoke disciplinary proceedings against a disruptive or erratic rider, including immediate interim suspension). Such a decision shall be made by a majority vote of the committee, which can be taken by utilisation of a social media group of committee members. If practicable the cancellation will be published on the club website and also by e-mail to the expected riders as promptly as circumstances permit.
Notwithstanding the above, a Ride Leader may at any time in his or her own discretion cancel or change the published route of the proposed ride or prematurely terminate a ride upon which unforeseen circumstances or conditions have arisen. In the event of the termination of a ride which had already begun, the Ride Leader will use his or her best efforts to satisfy himself or herself that the riders have access to a safe means of returning to the start point of the ride or the locality of their homes.
Should members elect nonetheless to engage in or continue such a cancelled ride, it must be understood that this is not a club activity, nor is it covered by the club's third-party insurance, and neither the club nor the committee accept any responsibility for any loss, damage, or personal injury which may occur on such an unauthorised ride.