Risk Assessment
This Risk Assessment applies to all club group rides, including Saturday main club rides, Sunday social rides, organised events, training rides, and mid-week social rides. The aim is to manage and mitigate risks for all participants - experienced members, new members, young persons, and non-members. It underscores the club's commitment to safety and the ethos of looking out for one another.
Understanding Risks
- Hazard: A potential source of harm
- Risk: The likelihood of encountering the hazard
- Risk Classification: Using a grid system, we classify risks as LOW, MEDIUM, or HIGH
- Control Measures: Devised to reduce or eliminate risks, leaving us with the residual risk
Duties of Care
- Club Owner and Officers: Responsibilities to minimise foreseeable risks of injury, implement and communicate risk assessments, and ensure safe conduct of rides
- Ride Captains: Direct responsibility for ride safety and implementation of control measures
- Members: Duty of care towards themselves, fellow riders, and the public
Risk Matrix and Control Measures
Pre-Ride Risks
Equipment Risks
| Activity | Hazard | Type | Risk Level | Residual Risk | Responsible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRE-RIDE | EQUIPMENT | BREAKDOWN STRANDED | LOW | LOW | RIDER |
Control Measures:
- Riders must carry a basic toolkit, including a method for tyre inflation, at least one inner tube (two recommended), tyre levers, a chain splitter, mobile phone, and money/cash card.
- This is in accordance with Club Rule 5.2, which emphasises safety and risk management, including carrying basic repair equipment.
| Activity | Hazard | Type | Risk Level | Residual Risk | Responsible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRE-RIDE | EQUIPMENT | CONDITIONS ACCIDENTS | MEDIUM | LOW | RIDER |
Control Measures:
- Bikes must be roadworthy as per gov.uk regulations.
- Conduct pre-ride checks on brakes, frame, steering, pedals/cleats, wheels, and tyres.
- Tri-bars are prohibited, aligning with Club Rule 3.6, which specifies using a road bike in safe, working condition for all club rides.
| Activity | Hazard | Type | Risk Level | Residual Risk | Responsible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRE-RIDE | EQUIPMENT | CLOTHING COMFORT SAFETY | MEDIUM | LOW | RIDER |
Control Measures:
- Dress appropriately for the weather, including waterproof and high-visibility clothing, aligning with Club Rule 4, which outlines clothing requirements.
- Helmets (Rule 5.1) are mandatory for safety.
| Activity | Hazard | Type | Risk Level | Residual Risk | Responsible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRE-RIDE | EQUIPMENT | STRANDED COMMUNICATION LOST | MEDIUM | LOW | RIDER, RIDE CAPTAIN |
Control Measures:
- Carry a mobile phone or money for public phone use.
- Have ICE numbers in your phone.
- Carry key medical information on your person, but do not share it with the club.
- Stay familiar with the route, as per Rule 3.5, which requires carrying appropriate identification and emergency contact details.
| Activity | Hazard | Type | Risk Level | Residual Risk | Responsible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRE-RIDE | EQUIPMENT | FOOD / DRINK | MEDIUM | LOW | RIDER |
Control Measures:
- Know the ride distance beforehand.
- Carry sufficient food/drink for the ride, in line with Club Rule 3.7, which emphasises making independent decisions about safety.
Health and Preparation
| Activity | Hazard | Type | Risk Level | Residual Risk | Responsible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRE-RIDE | PREPARATION | HEALTH | MEDIUM | LOW | RIDER, RIDE CAPTAIN |
Control Measures:
- Assess your fitness for the ride's distance/pace.
- Don't ride if unwell.
- Inform a Ride Captain if feeling unwell during the ride, adhering to Club Rule 2.5, which requires confirmation of no medical conditions preventing safe participation.
| Activity | Hazard | Type | Risk Level | Residual Risk | Responsible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRE-RIDE | GROUP SIZE | ACCIDENTS | MEDIUM | LOW | RIDER, RIDE CAPTAIN |
Control Measures:
- Groups limited to 8x riders, split by group ability.
- New riders to identify themselves for a 'ride buddy' allocation.
- This aligns with Club Rule 3.2, which emphasises following the guidance of ride captains.
| Activity | Hazard | Type | Risk Level | Residual Risk | Responsible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRE-RIDE | NEW / DEMO RIDERS | ACCIDENTS | MEDIUM | MEDIUM | RIDER, RIDE CAPTAIN |
Control Measures:
- Demo/new riders must introduce themselves to a Ride Captain.
- Beginners and under-18s need to acknowledge the Risk Assessment.
- This is in accordance with Club Rule 1, which outlines acceptance of rules and policies for participating in club activities.
During-Ride Risks
Accident Prevention
| Activity | Hazard | Type | Risk Level | Residual Risk | Responsible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRE-RIDE | COMMUNICATION | - | MEDIUM | MEDIUM | RIDE CAPTAIN |
Control Measures:
- Ride Captains to conduct a pre-ride briefing covering route, stops, duration, hazards, and weather, as per Club Rule 11, which requires following planned routes and group riding guidelines.
| Activity | Hazard | Type | Risk Level | Residual Risk | Responsible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIDE | ACCIDENT | EACH OTHER | MEDIUM | LOW | RIDER, RIDE CAPTAIN |
Control Measures:
- Maintain proper bike maintenance.
- Follow group ride calls and hand signals.
- Ride smoothly and consistently, in alignment with Club Rule 3.4, which requires maintaining bicycles in a roadworthy condition.
| Activity | Hazard | Type | Risk Level | Residual Risk | Responsible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIDE | ACCIDENT | - | HIGH | MEDIUM | RIDER |
Control Measures:
- Follow the Road Traffic Act and Highway Code.
- Use front and rear lights in poor visibility.
- Perform Dynamic Risk Assessments (DRAs), in line with Club Rule 5.4, which requires following the Highway Code and local traffic laws.
| Activity | Hazard | Type | Risk Level | Residual Risk | Responsible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIDE | ACCIDENT | FALLING OFF | MEDIUM | LOW | RIDER, RIDE CAPTAIN |
Control Measures:
- Pay attention to road surfaces.
- Only ride at a competent speed, especially on descents.
- This aligns with Club Rule 5.7, which emphasises recognising and reacting appropriately to road hazards.
Security and Safety
| Activity | Hazard | Type | Risk Level | Residual Risk | Responsible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIDE | 3RD PARTY CLAIM | - | LOW | LOW | RIDER |
Control Measures:
- Recommend insurance for 3rd party claims, e.g. British Cycling or Cycling UK, or via one of our Partners such as Sundays Insurance as per Club Rule 5.3 on appropriate insurance coverage.
| Activity | Hazard | Type | Risk Level | Residual Risk | Responsible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIDE | THEFT | - | MEDIUM | LOW | RIDER |
Control Measures:
- Keep bikes in sight during stops.
- Use quality locks.
- At extended stops, such as café visits, ensure bikes are locked to an immovable object or other bikes.
| Activity | Hazard | Type | Risk Level | Residual Risk | Responsible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIDE | STOPPING | - | MEDIUM | LOW | ALL |
Control Measures:
- Choose safe stopping places, avoiding road junctions, bends, and other hazards.
- Warn riders before stopping, keeping the carriageway clear.
- This aligns with Club Rule 3.1, which requires participating in club activities in a safe and responsible manner.
Environmental Hazards
| Activity | Hazard | Type | Risk Level | Residual Risk | Responsible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIDE | HORSE | - | MEDIUM | LOW | ALL |
Control Measures:
- Warn horse riders of your approach by verbal communication, and pass by slowly, adhering to Club Rule 7.1 on treating others with respect and dignity.
| Activity | Hazard | Type | Risk Level | Residual Risk | Responsible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIDE | TRAILS | - | MEDIUM | LOW | RIDER, RIDE CAPTAIN |
Control Measures:
- Reduce speed on trails, be aware of debris, loose surfaces, and wildlife.
- Give extra time for warning to dog walkers, as per Club Rule 5.7 on recognising and reacting appropriately to hazards.
Emergency Response
| Activity | Hazard | Type | Risk Level | Residual Risk | Responsible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIDE | ACCIDENT | - | MEDIUM | LOW | RIDE CAPTAIN |
Control Measures:
- In an accident, move the group off the road and control traffic if required.
- Administer first aid and contact emergency services if necessary.
- Stay with the injured cyclist until help arrives.
- Assist in filling an accident report form.
- This follows Club Rule 12 on emergency procedures.
Post-Ride
| Activity | Hazard | Type | Risk Level | Residual Risk | Responsible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POST-RIDE | - | - | - | - | RIDE CAPTAIN |
Control Measures:
- Conduct a ride debrief to discuss any issues, concerns, and positive aspects.
- Report any accidents, near misses, or other notable events to the Ride Captain or club owner and officers, as required by Club Rule 5.5 on reporting incidents.
Emergency Procedures
Accident Response
- Move group off road
- Control traffic if required
- Administer first aid
- Contact emergency services if necessary
- Stay with injured cyclist until help arrives
- Complete accident report form
Weather Emergencies
- Weather monitoring before rides
- Shelter identification during rides
- Evacuation procedures if conditions deteriorate
- Communication protocols for group safety
Medical Emergencies
- First aid response by trained members
- Emergency contact notification
- Medical professional consultation
- Incident documentation
Insurance Requirements
Member Insurance
- Personal accident insurance
- Third-party liability insurance
- Equipment insurance (recommended)
Club Insurance
- Public liability insurance
- Event insurance
- Equipment insurance
Regular Review and Updates
Review Schedule
- Annual comprehensive review
- Quarterly incident analysis
- Monthly safety meeting updates
- Immediate updates for significant incidents
Documentation
- Incident log maintenance
- Risk assessment updates
- Policy revision tracking
- Training records
Responsibilities
Club Owner and Officers
- Overall risk management
- Policy implementation
- Resource allocation
- Emergency response coordination
Ride Captains
- Pre-ride safety briefings
- Route risk assessment
- Group management
- Emergency response
Members
- Personal risk assessment
- Safety equipment maintenance
- Incident reporting
- Policy compliance
Communication
Safety Information
- Pre-ride briefings
- Safety updates
- Incident reports
- Policy changes
Emergency Communication
- Emergency contact procedures
- Chain of command
- External service coordination
- Member notification system
Effective Date: 01.04.2025
Prepared by: Rafal
Checked by: Eugene
Reviewed on: March 2025
Next review: April 2027
Approved by: Club Owner and Appointed Club Officers
