Ref No

HAZARD

CONTROL MEASURE

ADDITIONAL CONTROL MEASURE

RISK RATING

(low/med/high)

1.

Lack of equipment

Each rider should have adequate tools to fix common mechanical problems; you can not rely on other members to have tools.

Minimal Tool kit:

• A pump or way of inflating tyres.
• At least two inner tubes plus puncture repair kit
• Minimum of two tyre levers.
• Allen keys or multihued spanner as appropriate to your cycle.
• Spare foldable tyre (optional)
• Cable ties (optional)

To be included in general guidelines to Ride Leaders.

low

2.

Inappropriate clothing

• Riders should wear appropriate cycling and be prepared for changes in weather conditions and carry waterproofs.
• When cycling at night or in poor visibility, riders should wear light coloured or high visibility clothing such as reflective vests or belts.

Med/High

3.

 Condition of bikes

• Cycles must be legal and roadworthy in all respects.
• Carry working front and rear lights when necessary.
• Consider duplication of high visibility rear lights.
• Pay particular attention to condition of brakes and tyres.

Med/High

Ref No

HAZARD

CONTROL MEASURE

ADDITIONAL CONTROL MEASURE

RISK RATING

(low/med/high)

4.

Protective Equipment

The wearing of cycle helmets is recommended by the cub, but is mandatory in the case of riders under 18yrs.

Med/High

5.

Lack of general information, resulting in unnecessary stops etc.

• All riders to turn up several minutes before advertised start time to be briefed by ride leader.
• Be aware of ride co-ordinator and rear marker.
• Know how many riders in your group.
• Riders to be briefed as to chosen route, planned stopping points and tea stop.
• Ride leaders to have telephone contact with rear marker and other leaders if possible.
• Riders with medical condition that may affect their ability or performance should make the information known to ride leader.

To be included in general guidelines to Ride Co-ordinators.

As above.

As above.

Med

6.

Lack of Preparation by Ride Co-ordinators

Ride Co-ordinators to be conversant with ride details in terms of:

• Precise Route.
• Destinations.
• Distance and approximate timings
• Refreshment locations
• Known hazards such as steep hills and open moorland containing sheep, fords etc.

Ride Co-ordinators to carry route plan and provide additional copy to volunteering rear marker

Med

7.

Guest riders - Lack of knowledge

• Any guest rider to be introduced to ride leader by the inviting member.
• Inviting member to ride with guest rider unless otherwise agreed with ride co-ordinator.

To be included in general guidelines to ride co-ordinators.

Med/High

Ref No

HAZARD

CONTROL MEASURE

ADDITIONAL CONTROL MEASURE

RISK RATING

(low/med/high)

8.

Lack of ride discipline or failure to comply to accepted standards.

• Know and conform to Highway Code
• Riders should ride no more than two abreast unless overtaking.
• Riders should endeavour to ride smoothly and not brake without warning if it can be avoided, your actions have impacts on the riders behind you; remember that the club promotes safe cycling.
• Ride in single file on busy roads and under circumstances where it would be otherwise dangerous or difficult for drivers to pass (defer to co-ordinator’s judgement).

To be included in general guidelines to ride co-ordinators.

Med

Med

Med/High

Med/High

9.

Specific hazards created by road surface situations (such as pot-holes, gravel, wet leaves, fords etc)

Front rider to call as appropriate and point down with left or right hand. Warning to be repeated by those following.

In the case of fords, it should be noted that the road surface beneath the water may not be suitable for cycling, due to defect or slippery nature and also safety may be impeded due to depth of water. Each rider should consider the use of alternative crossing points such as adjacent foot bridges etc if in any doubt as to safety.

Med

10

Motor vehicles approaching group on narrow roads from front or rear

Warn of overtaking vehicle by rear marker shouting “car up” and warn of oncoming vehicle by shouting “car down”.

Med

Ref No

HAZARD

CONTROL MEASURE

ADDITIONAL CONTROL MEASURE

RISK RATING

(low/med/high)

11.

Weather Conditions

All riders to take note of changing weather conditions such as rain, snow and wind as it can have an adverse effect upon stability and overall safety.

Ride co-ordinators will give instructions if for reasons of adverse weather, the ride is to be temporarily halted to await change in conditions, or otherwise abandoned.

Low/Med

12.

Road intersections, roundabouts and junctions etc.

• On observing a road junction warning sign, assess the junction type (type, traffic, visibility into junction) and ease the speed of the ride as appropriate. 
• On approach, try to establish eye contact with driver(s) waiting at, or approaching the junction from a minor road on your left, to encourage them to give way.

Med/High

13.

Choice of stopping places

• Always choose a safe place to stop as a group, and in particular avoid road junctions, bends and other physical road hazards.
• Warn riders before stopping, and keep the carriageway clear.
• In the event of punctures, breakdowns etc clear the carriageway if possible, or ride co-ordinator to instruct the group to continue to a safe waiting place.
• Assess the problem and decide whether to hold up the ride or leave the “victim” with helpers and details of the route to the next stop(s).
• If unsure of the route, stop well before junction to consult map. Check for presence of back marker at junctions.  If necessary wait for slower riders beyond the junction.

To be included in general guidelines to ride co-ordinators.

Med/High

Ref No

HAZARD

CONTROL MEASURE

ADDITIONAL CONTROL MEASURE

RISK RATING

(low/med/high)

14.

Traffic held up behind the group.

• Ride co-ordinator or rear marker to give positive instruction to open gaps in the ride (at least 20 metres between groups of about five riders) to assist traffic in safely passing the group.
• Give positive instructions to ride in single file when road/and or traffic conditions dictate.

To be included in general guidelines to ride co-ordinators.

As above.

Med

15.

Visibility and communication issues.

• Pass any messages from ride co-ordinators down the group so that instructions are complied with.
• After junctions, each rider should check that there is still another rider following, and if not, either wait at the junction or notify ride leader.
• At junctions do not block the sight of motorists already waiting to pull out.
• Members wishing to leave the group should notify the co-ordinator to avoid being treated as a missing person.
• Always look over your shoulder before starting or changing road positions.
• When stopping, shout “stopping” before slowing down and stopping close to verge.

As above

Low/Med

16.

Farm animals and horses etc on carriageway or in vicinity.

In rural areas it is common to encounter quadrupeds sharing the road.

• In the case of loose animals on the carriageway or in the general vicinity, front riders to shout warning, reduce speed and point in direction of animal.  The warning to be passed back by following riders.

To be included in general guidelines to ride co-ordinators.

Med/High

Ref No

HAZARD

CONTROL MEASURE

ADDITIONAL CONTROL MEASURE

RISK RATING

(low/med/high)

17.

Farm animals and horses etc on carriageway or in vicinity. (continued)

• In addition to the above on approach to a ridden horse, the lead rider should warn the horse rider by verbal communication and thereafter proceed by way of any advice given by horse rider.

To be included in general guidelines to ride co-ordinators.

Med/High

18.

Lack of clear signals

• Ride co-ordinators must give directional hand signals to the group and other road users in good time.
• Verbal directions should be given to a rider abreast.
• Leaders to provide loud verbal warning of approach to a major road, dual carriageway, mini roundabout, ford etc.

As above.

As above

Low/Med

19.

Parked vehicles and other stationary obstructions.

• Warning to be given from the front and passed down in relation to any dangers such as parked cars or other obstructions.
• Riders to shout “on the left” or “on the right” as appropriate.
• A hand signal warning following riders to pull out from the side of the road can also be considered.

As above

Med/High

20.

Lack of stability

Tribars:

• The use of all forms of spinaci bars and tribars are strictly banned.  Whilst the club accepts they may be permanently attached to cycles, the must not be used during a ride as they can cause instability in some circumstances which may be dangerous whilst riding in a group.

Med/High

Ref No

HAZARD

CONTROL MEASURE

ADDITIONAL CONTROL MEASURE

RISK RATING

(low/med/high)

21.

Management of group

• When riding as part of a group, always allow for riders following behind.
• Groups should allow appropriate gaps in traffic and slow to all enough time for the entire group to negotiate obstacles.
• Riders at the back of a large group will be affected by the “concertina effect” which means they will have to slow a lot more than those in front to negotiate the obstacle.
• The rider at the front should slow or even stop at the next appropriate place to allow the group to reform.
• Should the group split due to any circumstances, riders should slow down or find a safe place to stop and reform before proceeding.
• The group has an obligation always to stop and assist any of its riders suffering from mechanical or physical problems.
• The group should always wait for the last rider unless the rider requested to be left, or an agreement made. (with the consent of all riders on the ride and the ride leader that this will not happen)

To be included in general guidelines to ride co-ordiantors. (all sections in this category)

Low/Med

22.

Dealing with emergencies and reporting procedures.

• Obtain the help of emergency services where appropriate.
• Complete Accident and/or Incident Report

To be included in general guidelines to ride leaders.

N/A.