Safety Procedures
Objective
To ensure OTB
riders have the opportunity to pursue their personal riding goals safely.
Mission
It is every rider’s responsibility to ride safely, promote safe riding, and ensure the safely of others.
Philosophy
Safety is a core part of the OTB ethos. To enable safe riding and the OTB ethos of fitness and fun, every rider must accept personal responsibility to ride safely and ensure the safety of other riders.
Everyone rides at their own risk and should seek to minimize 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 an inherently 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 individuals 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 ride through a hazard to avoid a greater one needs to be made. (e.g. move into traffic lane to avoid glass).
We promote:
- an awareness of safety
- adherence to safety guidelines
- observance of the road code
- reporting of hazards and incidents to local authorities and police
When you ride with the OTB you are expected to adopt these guidelines and ride in accordance with them.
Respect The Role Of Ride Leaders
Ride leaders are designated, they are trained and experienced and are there to ensure we ride safely.
Before the ride starts the ride organiser will brief the group on the route designated on the training schedule, weather, hazards and safety, refer Guidelines for Leaders.
The ride organiser will set the number and size of bunches, ideally 12 max riders with similar pace intentions.
The ride organiser will appoint bunch leaders. Be guided by bunch leaders.
Be Ready Before You Ride
Personally - mental focus and attitude, nutrition, hydration.
Bike and equipment - helmet fits, bike well maintained, tyres inflated to correct pressure, carry spare tubes and a pump, know how to repair a puncture, have adequate food and nutrition and suitable clothing (visible as well as suitable for warmth, coolness etc). Make sure pump is secured to frame, bottles fit inside cages securely, and that you know how to take and replace bottle whilst still looking ahead. Minimise rattles (tools in kit, bike cages secure etc)
Arrive in time for the pre-ride briefing refer training schedule.
New riders should identify themselves before the ride and will be placed in an appropriate bunch by the ride leader.
Ride safely When You Ride
Think of and for other riders and the group.
Avoid or minimize distractions e.g. mobile phones, bottles, and clothing.
Learn and practice bunch riding skills refer Techniques and Principles for group riding
- Pass on signals and calls from leaders and riders at the front of the bunch
- Be predictable and smooth, no sudden moves (e.g. turning, braking etc)
- Ride directly behind the cycle in front, don’t overlap wheels, or widen the pace line
- Communication is emphasized, talking, indications, calling; up and down the pace line
Anticipate hazards and risks and communicate these to other riders e.g. road narrowing, turns, hills, road surface, pedestrians, weather.
When a rider punctures or has to stop at least two or more riders nearest must stop and assist.
Obey Road Rules
Obey road rules and the Road Code refer cyclists' section of the road code.
Be considerate of other road users.
Report Road Hazards And Incidents
Report road hazards when riding to Wellington Regional Council.
Report dangerous driving to Wellington Regional Council or the Police (call 111).
New riders are welcome.
Recognize that you ride at your own risk and it is your responsibility to ride safely, promote safe riding, and ensure the safely of other riders.
You should review the web site and become familiar with the bunch riding tips refer Techniques and Principles for Group riding), the development squad and these safety guidelines.
If you are new to bunch riding or have not ridden with OTB before, advise the ride organiser or bunch leader before the ride. The ride organiser will place you in a bunch for the ride which is appropriate for your experience and pace intentions.
Whilst riding, introduce yourself to other riders, listen for calls, seek advice from and listen to experienced riders.
Be aware that experienced riders and bunch leaders will offer you advice. Although this may feel like you are being told what to do, advice is given for your benefit and with your safety and the safety of the group in mind. Take advice constructively, in good heart, as it is meant.
Before The Ride
The designated ride organiser of the day should brief the group:
Describe the route and identify any known hazards and weather conditions. Be clear about the route and stick to it.
Set the size, number and departure of bunches – ideally 12 riders with similar pace intentions. Split bunches if more than 20 riders.
Nominate a suitable person as bunch leader to guide the bunch, set an appropriate pace (it's not a race) and keep the group together.
Identify new riders and assign them to a bunch appropriate to their pace and experience
With the longer rides, the leader of the development squad should generally take one of the shorter options in order to bring the bunch back in good time.
Remind riders of the following key safety points as appropriate:
- Every rider rides at their own responsibility.
- It is every rider’s responsibility to ride safely and ensure the safety of other riders.
- At least two riders must stop to assist a rider who stops (puncture etc.)
- Ensure signals and calls are passed up and down the pace line.
- No more than two wide and keep the group together, filling gaps.
- Ride shoulder to shoulder when in pairs.
- Watch following distances.
- No erratic moves or sudden braking.
- New riders must stay off the front until they know where they're going and can maintain the appropriate pace.
- Call if passing another rider – pass on the right, not the left.
On The Ride
The bunch leader should
ensure that a rider with appropriate experience monitors the rear of the bunch,
to ensure that no one is left behind, and whether the general pace is either too slow or too fast. This
rider should also monitor gaps, line etc. and communicate following traffic.
Single or Double File?
Where the road configuration width allows (wide, cycle-lane, multi lane) ride two abreast, riding in two rows, each pair aligned shoulder to shoulder a half to one wheel diameter apart and slightly off-set from the rider in front.
Where a call is made "single" form up in single file, riders on the left allowing the rider on the right to move into a gap in front of them. This is usually when the road narrows, crossing a bridge, to enable a car to pass or conditions are clearly not safe for two abreast.
To share the work load and maintain a consistent pace, the front riders will need to be retired and replaced with fresh riders from within the bunch. To achieve this change over safely, the front right rider moves forward and left of the bunch and changes down. The right hand line continues to move forward providing a new rider at the front left. After a suitable period (1-5 min depending on the strength of the riders now at the front) the manoeuvre is repeated. Thus the bunch will slowly rotate anti-clockwise (moving forward in the right line, drifting back on the left line) thus all riders will get a turn at the front. The time you spend at the front is up to you and if you need to retire, communicate your intentions with your ride partner.
First Aid Kit
Bunch leaders
carry a first aid kit with them. These are picked up and returned to the
box at Natalie Brockie's house, 8 Burma Road, across the road from Civic Video.
Poor Weather
If raining,
the ride is off and leaders are under no obligation to turn up.