SWAN CTC: St Helens, Warrington and Newton-le-Willows Cycle Touring Club

Risk Assessment for a Led Cycle Ride

Ensuring Safety and Minimising Hazards for Group Cycling Events

Introduction

This generic risk assessment is designed to identify, evaluate, and mitigate potential hazards associated with organising and conducting a led cycle ride. The objective is to ensure the safety of all participants, ride leaders, and members of the public, whilst promoting an enjoyable cycling experience. It is intended to be suitable for most of the rides undertaken by the SWAN CTC.

Typical Event Details

• Activity: Led Cycle Ride

• Types of Route: Some urban riding, mostly rural minor roads, some tracks and towpaths. Distance typically 40-90 miles (60-140km).

• Duration: 4-8hrs

• Ride Leader(s): Nominated experienced rider

• Expected Group Size: 4-12. Above 8, consideration should be given to splitting the group – see below

Leaders

Leader should:

• Give advice on the days ride

  • Distance, destination, terrain any particular hazards

• Appoint a back marker

• Carry a 1st aid kit. A foil space blanket is advisable

• Have a list of attendees including emergency contact details

• Know the route and have the ability to navigate it

  • Routes should be planned to reduced potential hazards eg A Roads, difficult junctions

• Have a mobile phone

  • Have the What3 Words app and know how to use it

• Organise so the group size is ideally not be more than 8, unless the ride route is particularly low risk or traffic.free (for example very minor roads or bridleways). Above this number the leader should organise either a separate group with leader, or a subgroup with subleader who follows leaving a 50m gap

• Give clear instruction to the group regarding approaching cars, hazards, left/right turning etc

• Use of a mirror on the handlebars is recommended

 

Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment