Cycling - Common Risks

Poor or limited cycling skills lead to accident and/or injury.

Pre-activity planning will consider whether the planned cycle session matches the maturity and abilities of the group.  Student riding skills will be assessed before the activity.

Students will be given opportunities to gain sufficient practice in group riding techniques.

All students will wear AS/NZS 2063 compliant helmets.  Check to ensure the helmet is correctly fitted before and during cycling session.

Bicycles will be the correct size and type for the student and the riding conditions.

Students will be briefed on the effective use of brakes and gears, including emergency braking.  An appropriate time will be set aside for students to practise these skills.

Students will not be taken into traffic until they have demonstrated an adequate understanding of likely traffic conditions and the ability to respond safely to potential hazards.

Bicycles will be the correct size and type for the student and riding conditions.

All students will wear AS/NZS 2063 compliant helmets.  Check to ensure the helmet is correctly fitted before and during the cycling session.

Staff will complete pre-ride checks of bicycles and monitor bicycles during the ride.

Where a support vehicle is not being used, staff will develop a plan to manage accidents or breakdowns.

A steep descent leads to excessive speed and/or lack of control resulting in accident and injury.

Staff member will ride ahead to check for any hazards.

Students with limited confidence are not to undertake steep descents.  These students should walk their bicycle down the descent, on the shoulder of the road, after the other cyclists have descended.

Students will wear appropriate and correctly fitted helmets.

In steep sections, students will be separated before descent, using time interval departures.

The group and individual students will be effectively monitored.

Supervising staff will make sure that they are able to communicate directly with students.

At least one member of the supervising staff will ride with the leading cyclists.

During the ride the group separates and, as a result, student(s) become lost or are exposed to uncontrolled hazards.

Students will be briefed on the need to stay in contact with the group.  Specific protocols for breakdowns and road intersections will be established.

One staff member will cycle at or near the front of the group and another staff member (or a support vehicle) will be at the rear.

Staff will make sure that there are frequent rest stops and head counts. Staff and students will wait for the entire group at road intersections.

Staff will anticipate adverse weather conditions by monitoring weather and by direct observation.

Students will be briefed on the difficulty of straight steering in a cross-wind, and the increase in braking distance and the decrease in visibility and tyre traction in wet weather.

If possible, riding in wet and windy conditions will be practiced before the activity.

The group will seek shelter and/or not proceed if weather conditions are too severe.

For all activities using public roads, students will be instructed on basic road rules and any specific requirements for that location.

Students will be briefed on procedures to cope with identified hazards on the route.

Other road users alerted to the presence of cyclists via signage.

All students will wear AS/NZS 2063 compliant helmets. Helmets will be checked to ensure they are correctly fitted.

Students will be briefed about the need for all riders and bicycles to be completely off the road during rest stops.

Staff will collect and then review current confidential medical information for all students and staff.  Where uncertainty exists, additional information will be sought.

At least one staff member will have a minimum of a level two first aid qualification and a first aid kit, which is appropriate to the activity and the environments to be encountered.

Medical information will be carried by staff on the excursion and referred to as necessary.

At the start of the excursion, staff will ensure that there is no new illness that may have an impact on the ability of the affected student(s) or staff to participate.  Consideration will also be given as to whether that illness might spread to others in the group.

The emergency response strategy will include communication and evacuation procedures.

During the planning phase, staff will consider the skills and experience of students and staff and make sure that the activity is suitable.

The group will adopt appropriately timed rest stops.   Food and water breaks will match the activity intensity, weather conditions and the group’s abilities.

Food and water intake will be monitored during the excursion to ensure all participants are eating and drinking adequately.

Staff will monitor each student and consider strategies to support the group and individuals. This may include altered intensity and loads, changing the activity, obtaining outside support, evacuations or cancellation of the activity.

Staff will consider the skills, age, experience and maturity of students and staff when determining the activity, season and venue.

Clothing and equipment will be suitable for the planned season and venue.

Staff will plan and/or adjust the activity in response to foreseeable and prevailing weather conditions.

The emergency response strategy will include responses for when students and/or staff are affected by heat or cold.

The chosen venue, activity and season will be appropriate to the group.

Staff will obtain regular Bureau of Meteorology weather forecasts for the specific area they will be in and, if necessary, adjust the activity.

Staff will observe the weather before and during the activity and adjust the activity accordingly.

Staff will consider exposure to tree and lightning hazards.

The emergency response strategy will include possible responses should severe weather or a thunderstorm occur.

The vehicle must be appropriately insured and maintained.  Where the vehicle is a bus, it must be regularly inspected by a licensed bus tester.

Drivers will have the appropriate drivers licence and certificates for the planned journey.  Drivers will perform a daily vehicle check (see the Victorian Bus & Truck Drivers Handbook, Chapter 4, Vehicle Checks). In accordance with heavy vehicle driver fatigue laws (see transport), all drivers will take sufficient breaks from driving.  Drivers will also be sufficiently rested prior to driving.

Drivers will allow sufficient time for the planned journey and will adjust speed to suit the driving conditions.

Students and staff will have clear and relevant clothing/equipment lists, which reflect the possibility of bites or stings, and have appropriate first aid equipment.

Staff will carry current and confidential medical information for all students and staff participating in the activity.  Staff will ensure there are appropriate medications available and an emergency response strategy to support a worsening condition.