Background
The Club is insured against any 3rd party claim by virtue of its affiliation with British Cycling. This cover indemnifies the club and its officials against their legal liability for personal injury, death and/or property damage to a third party arising from their negligence.
Who is covered by the club insurance?
- the club;
- officials of the club who are acting on the club’s specific instructions; e.g. Group Leaders / Ride Leaders and
- individuals (non-club members) who have been invited to participate in a New Joiner Ride with a view to joining the club and are not already covered by any other insurance
Who are classed as ‘club officials’?
Officials are the individuals responsible for the activities of the club. They do not need to hold a formal title (e.g. chairperson, secretary, treasurer, etc.), but to be classed as a ‘club official’ a person must be acting on the club’s instructions and have been appointed beforehand by the club to take responsibility for a club activity or to perform a specific task in relation to the activity. e.g. Group Leaders, Ride Leaders etc
Are clubs/club officials covered against claims brought by club members?
Yes, the club / club officials are covered if a club member pursues a claim against them for personal injury and/or property damage. Whether the claim is successful will depend upon whether the club/club official has been negligent.
Are individuals participating in club activities insured by the club’s insurance?
No. All individual participants are strongly advised to become a member of British Cycling which provides the benefit of individual third party (public) liability insurance. Contingent insurance cover is, however, provided to invitees who have been invited to participate in club activities with a genuine view to joining the club such as those attending a New Joiner Ride who are not already covered by any other insurance
Three Day Rule for Report Submission to British Cycling
Where an incident / accident has occurred during a club activity which involves injury, illness or property damage sustained by any party, or where there was potential for injury, illness or damage, an Incident Report Form MUST be completed and returned to British Cycling within 3 days of the incident. The appropriate form is obtainable from the British Cycling website: https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/zuvvi/media/bc_files/officials/Incident_Report_Form_.doc
Non Admission of Liability
It is important to note that the club and/or its officials must not admit liability, disclose documentation or respond directly to a third party or their representatives/insurers. By doing so, this could entitle the insurers to refuse to support the claim. Any requests from a third party or their insurance company relating to incidents and/or to report an incident must be referred to the British Cycling directly either by telephone 0161 274 2015 or email incident@britishcycling.org.uk
Reporting Procedure
The Ride Leader (or designated sub group leader, where a group ride splits into more than one group) MUST report any incident / accident to his or her Group Leader, as soon as practicably possible – i.e. at the end of the ride – by phone, text, WhatsApp or e-mail.
The Ride Leader is responsible for completing the Incident Report Form with assistance from the Group Leader where appropriate. NB this should be completed by the end of the day where possible.
It is important to gather as much information as possible including:
- The names and contact details of all parties involved
- What injuries were suffered
- What first aid treatment was provided
- What property was damaged
- Names and contact details for any witnesses
The Incident Report Form should be sent to incident@amershamrcc.com (NB this automatically copies the Welfare, Health & Safety Officer, Group Rides Coordinator, the Club Secretary and the Chairman) and their Group Leader within 24 hours of the incident. This is to enable the Welfare Officer and or Group Rides Coordinator to ask for any additional information and to be able to forward the form to British Cycling’s insurers with the 3 day time limit. It’s is highly likely that failure to submit an incident report within the time scale will invalidate the club’s insurance for that particular event.
It is important to report ALL incidents / accidents even if no injury or damage is immediately apparent.
Review
The Committee will review all incidents and accidents reported in order to make improvements to the club’s guidance and risk management protocols.
First Aid Training and Resources
First Aid training is provided for all Amersham Cycling Club members free of charge through regular First Aid sessions undertaken to provide Cycling specific First aid support. All members are encouraged to attend a course as they become available.
First Aid kits
All Club Groups will be provided with 2 First aid kits to support immediate response and support in the case of an incident / Accident.
These kits are provided free of charge by ACC and are available to be replenished when used by contacting the Welfare Officer via welfare@amershamrcc.com
ARCC Ride Leading Guidance: Concussion/Head injury
Head injury and concussion can occur after any fall off a bike. We need to be aware of the possibility, what to look out for, and how to manage the situation.
BE AWARE of the possibility of head injury with any fall from a bike
UNCONCIOUS/ CONFUSED/ OBVIOUS HEAD WOUND you know what to do:
Call 999, keep the cyclist safe, still and warm. Try not to move them as there may be a neck or spine injury too. They need urgent assessment in A&E.
IF YOU ARE NOT SURE, maybe the cyclist seems a bit confused but says they are fine, stop the ride, and arrange for someone to collect the rider and bike, and advise the rider to be seen by a doctor ASAP. If you would like advice phone 111 or 999.
If the rider refuses help, and insists on continuing the ride, then the group ride should be aborted, and the injured cyclist should be accompanied by one or more riders to their home.
IF THE RIDER IS FINE IMMEDIATELY, consider carrying on the ride. But be aware that they may become unwell later on.
What is concussion.
This is a milder brain injury. Brain scans do not show an abnormality in concussion and the treatment is rest. It can cause headaches, tiredness, dizziness, nausea and an inability to concentrate, for a few days to a few weeks.
Why do we need to look out for concussion?
Concussion may impair cycling so make a further fall more likely.
If there is a subsequent further head injury then the severity and length of symptoms can be much more severe.
The best treatment for concussion is rest.
Also there may be a more serious brain injury which requires urgent medical attention eg a bleed in the brain.
How do I know if a rider may have a more serious head injury?
Any of the following may indicate a more serious head injury:
Fallen on their head or
Bumped head when falling or
High speed fall or
Damage to helmet or
Any confusion or loss of consciousness (even for a couple of seconds) or headache.
In Summary:
· Thankfully instances of head injury and concussion on club rides are very rare. The welfare of all members is paramount – we want to ensure anyone riding with the club is as safe as possible and those taking on responsibility have sufficient information to allow them to make informed decisions.
· One takeaway should be that as a ride leader you are fully supported by the club and that we are here for you.
· It is hoped this advice will help you know what to do if a concussion is suspected. The subject of head injuries and concussion will also be covered at ride leading training workshops.
If you would like to discuss any of the above, or have any queries around ride leading in general, again do please get in touch with Colin Peters Welfare Officer ARCC , Andy Bolton Group Ride Co-ordinator or your Group ride Leader
Notes
Cycle sport competition, races, time trials and other open cycle events are not included in the club’s insurance cover and must be separately insured. An event would be deemed to be a race if it gives results in order of time and/or declares a winner (or Club Champion) and/or awards prizes.
Where can I find more information about Club Insurance? https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/clubs/article/20151103-membership-static-Club-insurance-Q-A-0