LDCC Risk Management : Ride Together, Ride Safely...

Respect for rules of the road is of paramount importance during all LDCC rides. Club members also learn the importance of being responsible for each other's safety when on group rides.

LDCC / OCA / COVID-19 Protocols

With current restrictions and social-distancing protocols in place, LDCC Members are asked that they fully understand the Ontario Cycling Association’s, COVID-19 Policies and Guidelines for Club Activity. This information is updated on a regular basis and the most recent updates can be found here.

Preamble

LapDogs Cycling Club annually affiliates with the Ontario Cycling Association, and through this affiliation obtains General Liability Insurance coverage through the Ontario Cycling Association for the club and for club members, through their OCA membership. General Liability Insurance is designed to protect a person (member) or an entity (Province, Club, Ontario Cycling Association) against any legal responsibility arising out of a negligent act or failure to act as a prudent person would have acted, which results in bodily injury or property damage to another party. LapDogs CC members should familiarize themselves with the terms of the insurance coverage and this Risk Management Plan. Coverage details of the OCA Member insurance program can be accessed through their website: www.ontariocycling.org

The Club must receive signed insurance waivers from each Club Member; membership is not assigned or granted until a signed waiver is received by the Club. For online registrations, waivers acknowledged electronically are considered to have been signed by the Club Member.

Each Club member shall receive a copy, electronic or otherwise of this Risk Management Plan and a copy shall be available on the Club website. Additional information regarding affiliated Club rules and programs can be found on the LapDogs website.

Definitions 

Club means the LapDogs Cycling Club, and includes the Race Team.
Race Team means the LapDogs Race Team.
Club Board or Board means the executive board of the Club, consisting of the Club President, Treasurer, and one or more Directors as deemed appropriate.
Club Rides mean rides formally organized by the Club and as described on the Club website. Rides not listed on the Club website are not Club rides. Notwithstanding the previous statement, any Race Team rides are also considered to be Club Rides. Club Rides consist of road rides, mountain bike rides (on and off road) and cyclocross rides. Races and other events organized by a third party are not considered to be Club Rides, notwithstanding promotion of these events by the Club or Club Board.
Member means a person who has a) registered with the Club, b) paid any applicable membership fees and insurance fees, AND c) signed (paper) or electronically acknowledged the OCA insurance waiver.
CCA means the Canadian Cycling Association.
OCA means the Ontario Cycling Association.

The Canadian Cycle Association (CCA) Insurance – Each Club annually purchases General Liability Insurance coverage through the Canadian Cycling Association for each Club member. General Liability Insurance is designed to protect a person (member) or any entity (Province, Club , Canadian Cycling Association) against any legal responsibility arising out of a negligent act or failure to act as a prudent person would have acted, which results in bodily injury or property damage to another party. Club members should familiarize themselves with the terms of the insurance coverage. The coverage details may be accessed through the Cyclinginsurance.ca website. 

Standards of Care 

This Risk Management Plan and all Club programs and rides shall adhere to the following, as applicable:  

  • UCI, CCA, OCA rules and regulations as they pertain to Club Rides.

  • Ontario Highway Traffic Act while on Club Rides: all Club members must adhere to and obey all rules of the road as per the Ontario Highway Traffic Act. For Club Rides outside of Ontario, the local Highway Traffic Act (or equivalent) shall prevail.

 

LDCC Risk Management 2024/25 

General

  • All members of the Club are responsible for bringing forward to the Club Board any safety issues related to Club Rides which present themselves throughout the riding season.

  • While on Club Rides, all Club members must adhere to and obey all rules of the road as per the Ontario Highway Traffic Act (or equivalent depending on jurisdiction).

  • Any Club member on a Club Ride should immediately advise the ride marshals and other members of the ride should the member feel the group or individuals in the group are riding in an unsafe manner. The member should withdraw from the ride if they feel unsafe.

  • All participants of the Club Rides must provide proof of membership in good standing prior to each ride, if requested by the ride marshal. If an ineligible rider insists on participating even after being asked not to, then the Club Ride may proceed, however, the ride marshal shall advise the ineligible rider, with a witness present, that he or she is ineligible and is not covered by any Club insurance and is responsible for all his/ her actions. The Club will not assume any liability arising from the ineligible rider’s participation or actions.

  • Each Club Ride participant will conduct themselves in a responsible manner and retains liability for their own actions.

Safety

  • Helmets must be worn at all times on Club Rides. Clubs are expected to operate both competitive and non-competitive events according to their established risk management procedures designed to reduce the possibility of accidents. All participants need to be informed that the ultimate responsibility for safety rests with the individuals.

Ride Leads & Ride Hosts 

  • A Ride Lead will be appointed by the Club Board for each Club Ride. The ride marshal will identify himself/herself to the group so that everyone is aware of who is coordinating the ride. The ride marshal may describe the general ride route, and may provide a brief safety tip at the commencement of the ride. Each individual group on a Club Ride may not have a marshal.

  • The Ride Lead(s) has the final decision on all matters pertaining to the Club Ride and his/her decisions must be respected by all participants. The ride marshal or Club Board may appoint a designate should the ride marshal be unable to attend a Club Ride.

  • Ride Leads may carry cell phones for emergency use on all Club Rides and, from time to time, may remind riders to carry their own cell phones on Club Rides. Riders should immediately call 911 in the event of an emergency.

Rides  

  • Club Rides on roads will be planned to use lesser- traveled roads where possible and practical.

  • Club Rides will not run if lightning is present and will be cancelled if lightning is sighted or forecast.

  • When a large number of riders come out for any given Club Ride, the riders will be encouraged by the ride marshal to break into smaller groups. Groups should be at least 100 metres apart on the road to allow other vehicles to pass safely in two manoeuvres.

  • Riders must not be left behind during a Club Ride (e.g. Club Rides follow a “no-drop” policy) unless they first confirm with the ride coordinator(s) that they are detaching from the group; all members of the Club Ride are responsible for ensuring they properly notify the ride coordinator(s) if they are detaching from the group. Club Rides designated by the Club Board as Advanced level rides do not follow a no-drop policy; riders are responsible for keeping pace with the rest of the group or may fall behind at their own risk.

  • Club members are responsible for ensuring that their bicycle is in good working order before attending each Club Ride.

  • Fully functional bicycle helmets (properly fastened) must be worn at all times while participating in any Club ride and other protective equipment is strongly encouraged (e.g., gloves, eye wear).

  • Front and rear lights and/or reflectors are required (as per Section 62.(17) of the Ontario Highway Traffic Act) during any Club Ride which takes place one half hour before sunset and/ or which may extend into darkness.

  • While trail riding all riders must be courteous and considerate of other trail users and the trail system.

  • Club members are responsible for ensuring they are sufficiently fit for their desired activity.

  • Club members are responsible for bringing sufficient liquids and food, as required, for each Club Ride, as well as appropriate tools/ spare tubes, etc.

  • Club members are not to be under the influence of any intoxicant that could impair their riding judgment while on a Club Ride.

  • Any and every accident on a Club Ride shall be immediately reported to a Club Board member to be reported to the OCA through the proper reporting procedures and forms provided by the OCA. The list of Board members can be found on the Club website.

  • For non-Club riders wishing to try out a Club Ride, a limited number of Club try-out rides will be held during the year. These rides will be communicated to the OCA a minimum of one week in advance by a member of the Boad. OCA waiver forms will be available at the beginning of the ride, and the individual will be required to complete, sign, and return the waiver to the ride marshal or any Board member prior to participating in the Club Ride.

Skills Development

  • The Club encourages all riders to be comfortable and proficient with group riding before joining a Club Ride.

  • To support rider skills development, the Club may, from time to time, hold skills development programs for road riding and/or mountain biking and encourages all Club members to attend these programs and /or other cycling skills courses.

  • Riders may be requested to complete a skills development program before attending or continuing to attend regular scheduled Club rides. This applies for both road and off-road Club rides.

  • New or novice member are encouraged to participate in the Group Riding 101 programs offered by the Club before participating in Club Rides.

Waivers

  • All club members must complete the OCA approved membership waiver. This can be done online utilizing the OCA-approved online registration system. If online registration is not completed, a paper waiver must be printed, signed, and collected by the Board. Minors (under 18 years of age) must have a guardian complete their waiver.

  • Do not alter the waiver in any way, specifically the language or spacing. Paper waivers must be submitted on the appropriate sized paper (8.5” X 11”).

  • Club members under the age of 18 when joining the club must have an adult (18 years or older) complete the waivers. The adult must be a parent or legal guardian.

  • All waivers must be submitted to the OCA office in a timely manner throughout the season when submitting installment payments, and prior to the following year.

  • Waivers will be stored at the OCA for a minimum of 7 years, to ensure that they can be accessed if legal action is taken against the Club. Waivers are crucial in defending the Club and the OCA in the event of litigation.

  • Failure to obtain waivers from all Members of the Club will place the Club’s insurance coverage at risk.