Cambridge Cycling Club – Risk management plan.
Cycling can be a dangerous activity.
The Cambridge Cycling Club (The CCC) has developed this Risk Management Plan to document how The CCC rides are to be managed to reduce risks associated with cycling activities. These policies are to be practiced by The CCC members, and any permitted visiting riders as permitted by Ontario Cycling Association rules, during every The CCC ride. All The CCC members, and any permitted visiting riders, share the responsibility for making The CCC rides as safe as possible.
Each CCC member shall receive a copy, electronic or otherwise of this Risk Management Plan via email. Additional information regarding The CCC rules and programs can also be found on The CCC website (see Ride Participant Guidelines for The CCC)
Interpretation
- The CCC Rides means rides formally organized by The CCC and as described on private The CCC ride organizing sites (such as Strava Clubs, RWGPS, etc). Rides are not publicly listed, and any ride that is not listed in the private club listing is not a CCC ride.
- The CCC ride Insurance. Through the member registration process, They gain access to GL insurance coverage and Sport Accident coverage through purchasing an OC membership and joining the club. through joining and registering with CCC and the Ontario Cycling (OC) membership from a third party provider.
General Liability Insurance is designed to protect a person (member) or any entity (Province, Club, Canadian Cycling Association) against any legal responsibility arising out of a negligent act or failure to act as a prudent person would have acted, which results in bodily injury or property damage to another party.
General Liability Insurance is designed to protect a person (member) or any entity (Province, Club, Canadian Cycling Association) against any legal responsibility arising out of a negligent act or failure to act as a prudent person would have acted, which results in bodily injury or property damage to another party.
All CCC members should familiarize themselves with the terms of the insurance coverage. The coverage details may be accessed at HERE. The CCC must receive signed insurance waivers from each CCC member; membership is not assigned or granted until a signed waiver is received by The CCC. This is part of the online member registration process.
Standards of Care
This Risk Management Plan and all The CCC programs and rides shall adhere to the following, as applicable:
- UCI, CCA, OC rules and regulations as they pertain to Club Rides.
- Ontario Highway Traffic Act
While on The CCC Rides, all The CCC members must adhere to and obey all rules of the road as per the Ontario Highway Traffic Act. The Ontario Highway Traffic Act is available HERE.
Risk Management
General:
- All members of The CCC are responsible for bringing forward to The CCC Board of Directors any safety issues related to The CCC Rides which present themselves throughout the riding season.
- While on The CCC Rides, all CCC members must adhere to and obey all rules of the road as per the Ontario Highway Traffic Act.
- Any CCC member on a CCC ride should immediately advise the ride leader(s) and other members of the ride should the member feel the group or individuals in the group are riding in an unsafe manner. The member should withdraw from the ride if they feel unsafe.
- All participants of The CCC Rides must provide proof of membership in good standing prior to each ride, if requested by the ride leader.
- Each CCC Ride participant will conduct themselves in a responsible manner and retains liability for their own actions.
Ride Leaders
A ride leader(s) may be appointed by The CCC board for each The CCC rides. The ride leader will identify himself/herself to the group so that everyone is aware of who is coordinating the ride.
The ride leader may describe the general ride route, and may provide a brief safety tip at the commencement of the ride. Each individual group on a CCC ride may or may not have a leader/coordinator.
The ride leader(s) has the final decision on all matters pertaining to The CCC ride and his/her decisions must be respected by all participants. Ride leader(s) will carry a cell phone for emergency use on all The CCC rides. The CCC members are encouraged to carry their own cell phones on The CCC rides. Riders should immediately call 911 in the event of an emergency.
If no ride leader is present, members should continue to follow the Risk Management Plan and Ride Policies accordingly.
Rides
- The CCC rides on roads will be planned to use lesser-traveled paved and gravel roads where possible and practical.
- Club rides will not run if lightning is present and will be cancelled if lightning is sighted or forecast.
- Riders must not be left behind during a Club Ride (e.g. Club Rides follow a “no-drop” policy) unless they first confirm with the ride coordinator(s) that they are detaching from the group; all members of the Club Ride are responsible for ensuring they properly notify the ride coordinator(s) if they are detaching from the group. Club Rides designated by the Club Board as Advanced level rides do not follow a no-drop policy; riders are responsible for keeping pace with the rest of the group or may fall behind at their own risk.
- Club members are responsible for ensuring that their bicycle is in good working order before attending each Club Ride.
- Bicycle helmets must be worn at all times while participating in any Club ride and other protective equipment is strongly encouraged (e.g., gloves, eye wear).
- Front and rear lights and/or reflectors are required (as per Section 62.(17) of the Ontario Highway Traffic Act) during any Club Ride which takes place one half hour before sunset and/ or which may extend into darkness.
- While trail riding all riders must be courteous and considerate of other trail users and the trail system.
- Club members are responsible for ensuring they are sufficiently fit for their desired activity.
- Club members are responsible for bringing sufficient liquids and food, as required, for each Club Ride, as well as appropriate tools/ spare tubes, etc.
- Club members are not to be under the influence of any intoxicant that could impair their riding judgment while on a Club Ride.
- Any and every accident on a Club Ride shall be immediately reported to a Club Board member to be reported to the OCA through the proper reporting procedures and forms provided by the OCA. The list of Board members can be found on the Club website.
Skills Development
- The Club encourages all riders to be comfortable and proficient with group riding before joining a Club Ride.
- To support rider skills development, the Club may, from time to time, hold skills development programs for road riding, cyclocross, and/or mountain biking and encourages all Club members to attend these programs and /or other cycling skills courses.
- Riders may be requested to complete a skills development program before attending or continuing to attend regular scheduled Club rides. This applies for both road and off-road Club rides.