TandemEyes Risk Management Plan
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Tandem cycling has similar and different risks than riding on a single cycle. With this in mind, we have a plan which documents how TandemEyes rides will be managed to reduce the risks related to tandem cycling. This policy should be practiced by all captains and stokers who participate with each group ride. Every TandemEyes member must share the responsibility for making each ride as safe as possible.
Definitions:
Management Team relates to the operational individuals who manage the TandemEyes cycling organization
Group Rides refers to rides which have been formally organized by TandemEyes for our members.
Ride Leaders are TandemEyes club members who volunteer to organize and lead rides and oversee risk situations during each ride.
Sweeps are individuals who volunteer to accompany the ride on their single bike to ensure the safety of the group in regards to keeping together, speed of the ride, road crossings in cooperation with the Ride Leader.
Captains are individuals who volunteer to ride at the front of a tandem ensuring safety and maintaining excellent communication with their Stoker.
Stokers are individuals who have low to no visions who ride in the back seat of a tandem and work together with the Captain to assist in the power of the bike and signalling for direction and stopping.
General Understandings:
Ride Leaders
Captains
Stokers
Sweeps
____________________________________________________________
Tandem cycling has similar and different risks than riding on a single cycle. With this in mind, we have a plan which documents how TandemEyes rides will be managed to reduce the risks related to tandem cycling. This policy should be practiced by all captains and stokers who participate with each group ride. Every TandemEyes member must share the responsibility for making each ride as safe as possible.
Definitions:
Management Team relates to the operational individuals who manage the TandemEyes cycling organization
Group Rides refers to rides which have been formally organized by TandemEyes for our members.
Ride Leaders are TandemEyes club members who volunteer to organize and lead rides and oversee risk situations during each ride.
Sweeps are individuals who volunteer to accompany the ride on their single bike to ensure the safety of the group in regards to keeping together, speed of the ride, road crossings in cooperation with the Ride Leader.
Captains are individuals who volunteer to ride at the front of a tandem ensuring safety and maintaining excellent communication with their Stoker.
Stokers are individuals who have low to no visions who ride in the back seat of a tandem and work together with the Captain to assist in the power of the bike and signalling for direction and stopping.
General Understandings:
- Club rides and special events are open to individuals who are current members, in good standing, of TandemEyes.
- All Leaders, Captains, Stokers and Sweeps, must attend an annual orientation event to ride with group rides.
- All riders must complete a registration form and sign a membership waiver to be permitted to ride.
- Bike helmets must be worn by all participants on all club rides.
- Each rider must ensure that they have adequate water and food for each ride.
- Tandems must be equipped at all times with basic repair tools such as a spare tube and tool kit. One bike on each group ride must have a pump.
- All accidents must be recorded on the accident forms provided by TandemEyes and reported to the Management Team for Ontario Cycling Association insurance purposes.
- All rides must be sanctioned group rides.
- TandemEyes rides will be cancelled if there is an active Environment Canada thunderstorm warning in place or heavy rain expected during the ride time frame.
- Should any ride need to be cancelled, this cancellation will be communicated via TeamSnap place by 4 pm on the day of the ride at the latest.
- Weight distribution on the tandem should be the heavier individual on the front and the lighter person in the second seat. This is very important for the effective and safe operation of the tandem. Every effort will be made to ensure this distribution.
Ride Leaders
- Ride Leaders have the final decision on any matter pertaining to the TandemEyes Ride which they are leading.
- Ride leaders must appoint a designate should he/she be unable to attend a given ride.
- Ride Leaders must carry a cell phone for emergency use on all rides and should remind captains to carry their own cell phone on each ride.
- Ride leaders must fill in an accident report should one happen on a scheduled ride. These will be reported to our insurance provider.
- Ride Leaders will report any serious incidents (ex. traffic, bike mechanical, health) that occur on a ride to the Management Team.
- Ride leaders have been provided with an understanding of their roles and responsibilities related to any ride.
- Ride leaders must ensure that their there is no alcohol or anyone under the influence of alcohol on any club ride.
- Ride Leaders must be prepared to attend to situations as they occur on rides (e.g. bike break-downs, falls, route disruptions) and designate roles to ensure the safe completion of the ride
- Ride Leaders must be aware at all times of what is happening within their ride.
Captains
- Captains must be experienced cyclists with good bike handling skills.
- Captains are responsible for ensuring their personal fitness, personal health (including reporting any medical conditions) and preparedness for the responsibilities of riding a tandem.
- Captains must have a valid Ontario drivers license and adhere to and obey all rules of the road as per Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
- Captains are responsible for the preparation of the bike prior to each ride.
- Captains must ensure that their Stoker is wearing a club issued vest and return this vest at the end of each ride.
- Captains must ensure that each Stoker has shoe laces and pant legs tucked in so as to not get tangled in the drive train.
- Captains must attend to their Stoker's safety when off the bike.
- Should a captain need to stop during a ride, they must ensure that the bike and the Stoker are well removed from traffic.
- Captains are responsible for determining appropriate stop points based on the needs of their stokers and reporting this need to another the Ride Leader.
Stokers
- Stokers must ensure that they are prepared for each ride with clothing appropriate for cycling.
- Stokers should report any discomfort with a captain to the Ride Leader who will pass this along to the Management Tream for future rides.
- Stokers may be paired with different Captains depending on the Captains available.
- Stokers must understand that they are a very important part of the power for the bike and should be prepared for a moderate level of physical exertion.
- Stokers must keep both hands on the handlebars unless signalling a turn or stop.
- Stokers must avoid random or jerking motions on the back of the bike which will impact on the stability of the bike and the ability to steer the bike.
- Stokers must advise the club of any medical conditions that could impact on their ability to ride.
Sweeps
- Sweeps must be experienced cyclists with their own single bike.
- Sweeps have been provided with an understanding of their roles and responsibilities related to any ride during training.
- Seeps must be prepared to assist the Ride Leader at any time in regards to accidents, bike mechanicals, leading the group back to the Silver Bean or other ride interruptions.
