Risk Assessment – Student Activities 2008/2009

2-20 at one
Athletic Union Club Mountain Bike Number of Persons Involved
time
Max 4
Nature of Activity Riding Bicycle Off Road Frequency of Activity
times/week

November 7th
Assessed By Simon McDonald (President) Date
2008
Reviewed By Date

Score
OFFICE USE OFFICE USE
Hazard Ref. Potential Effect Existing Controls in Place Low/Medium/High Further Controls Required?
Who By Target date
Risk
Long rides in remote locations should
have been ridden in their entirety by
the ride leader before being
undertaken by a group. If this is not a
viable option they should be mapped
before the ride commences. Any short
5.3, 5.9 Low -
Late Return cuts back to transport or
accommodation should be noted. At
least one rider in a group should be a
competent navigator, (able to read
and use OS style maps or GPS).

Each rider should have suitable

clothing, including extra layers for
Late return leading to rides in remote locations. Checking of
possible: exposure, long range / intermediate forecasts
5.7, 5.11 Low -
particularly hypothermia and tailoring of trips to these.
and exhaustion Cancellation of rides due to extreme
weather i.e. heavy fog / lightning
storms etc.

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 Regular regrouping of riders and head
counts. Executive or experienced
riders at the front and rear of each
5.8 Risk to separated person Low -
group on technically challenging
terrain.

Riders should carry sufficient lighting

Late Return, Fall of for safe return to transport or
5.9 Darkness accommodation. This should include Low -
both off and on road lighting as
appropriate.
A brief overview of any proposed
route should be available before each
ride, with particular attention paid to
required fitness levels and bike
handling skills. Frequent stops should
be made to provide information on
upcoming sections and for head
counts to be made.
6.1, 6.12,
Danger to less Low -
6.13
experienced riders It may be appropriate for members to
inspect particularly technically
challenging sections* of terrain before
attempting to ride them. If any person
still feels unable to successfully ride a
section they should walk it or find an
alternative route.

An executive member or ride leader

should be aware of any medical
condition that may become a cause
6.7 Medical conditions for concern during or as a result of Low -
riding, so that appropriate measures
to minimize risk can be undertaken.

Adequate space should be left

between riders on technical sections
Possible injury due to of riding, although this may not be
6.16 Low -
group riding possible in the event of ‘4X’ or other
close quarter riding disciplines.

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Possible traffic incidents
7.2 involving insufficiently
secured bicycles
Personal injury due to
falls from a bicycle
7.11
Risk of injury due to
7.12
bicycle failure
* Technical Riding: Technically this applies to riding over terrain which is by its nature difficult to ride a bicycle over and as such carries an increased risk of injury. Be it because of obstacles in path,
slippery surfaces, elevated riding platforms, drops, jumps, extreme gradients etc.
Bicycles and additional equipment
should be stored securely and safely
inside vehicles.
Bikes carried on exterior racks etc. Low -
are be properly secured to vehicles.
Vehicles are not to be overloaded.
A minimum of a helmet, (Department
for Transport, Bicycle Helmets,
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/re
search/rsrr/theme1/bicyclehelmetsrevi
ewofeffect4726?page=6, last checked
1/5/2007)
Medium
is required for all rides. Gloves are
highly recommended. Additional
safety equipment may be used at
rider’s discretion, depending on type
of riding undertaken.
Bikes should be properly maintained
and suitable for their chosen
application. Advice on such matters,
including reputable sources for Low -
repairs, parts and maintenance should
be offered by experienced members.
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