Health & Safety Policy

Mountain biking is, by its nature, a potentially dangerous sport, and taking some risks remains part of the attraction to most of us. Ultimately, you are responsible for your own health & safety - if you’re uncomfortable about trying something, don’t do it! Nevertheless, HiMBA encourages members to minimise unnecessary personal risks associated with the sport, and is also committed to minimising any risk that our activities pose to other countryside users or to the environment. Where HiMBA is developing trails with the Forestry Commission, risk assessment and reduction is also a formal requirement under our user agreement.

This Health & Safety Policy aims to 1) provide general information and safety advice for club members and 2) highlights specific actions that are required to allow us to trail build on public land.

Access and the environment Many of our local trails go through areas that are important for forestry or wildlife, and enjoyed by other users such as dog-walkers, horse-riders and ramblers.

- HiMBA members are urged to follow the guidelines for responsible access outlined in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Give way to other users on shared paths, and dismount if necessary.

- Protect trees, plants and other wildlife. And avoid going off paths onto wet or boggy habitats and churning the soft surfaces.

- Do not start fires or leave litter (including banana skins!)

Equipment

- The use of an appropriate cycling helmet is compulsory when using HiMBA trails and when participating on any club rides – and is strongly encouraged whenever members are cycling.

- Always ensure that bikes are properly maintained, and carry toolkit, spare tube(s), appropriate food, water and clothing.

- It is often the travel to and from off-road rides that poses the greatest risk to cyclists. If doing so by bike, ensure that lights are appropriate for road use and wear reflective clothing. If travelling by vehicle, ensure that bikes are securely fastened in or on the vehicle, and that the vehicle lights and number plates are not obscured.


Children

- HiMBA has a separate Child Protection Policy that deals with general aspects of child safety. In the context of minimising the risk that children might pose to themselves, parents are asked to ensure that they are fully aware of the nature of the trails that their children are using. Ideally, this should involve cycling or walking alongside any trails with their children before leaving them to cycle on their own. 

- Currently, HiMBA can only provide activities for unaccompanied under 16’s through occasional sessions offered by Scottish Cycling coaches. These will be advertised on the web site when available. At all other club rides, under 16’s must be accompanied by parent or named guardian.

  Insurance

- HiMBA holds Third Party Liability Insurance up to £5,000,000 through its affiliation to Scottish Cycling. Further details of these arrangements can be found on the British Cycling web site.

- Please note that this policy only indemnifies club members whilst they are on club activities, and against actions brought about by non-members (eg. If your child is sued for cycling into a dog walker). This scheme does not include any personal accident cover, liability for accidents caused to other club members, or damage to equipment. Individuals can obtain this additional insurance through British Cycling.

Risk assessments

- HiMBA undertakes to conduct and regularly review risk assessments for cycling and trail building activity associated with its activities at Learnie and Contin. Members involved in trail building at either site should ensure that they are familiar with these risk assessments. Members cycling club trails at Contin should also follow the safety guidelines on the Contin information leaflet. All these documents will be made available on the HiMBA website.

Events

- HiMBA undertakes to organise public events within the guidelines outlined in the British Cycling’s “Event Safety Code”. 

Further information:

HiMBA web site – http://www.himba.org.uk

British Cycling – Information on membership, insurance and advice for young riders (and their parents). -  http://www.bcf.uk.com/membership/index.html

Scottish Outdoor Access Code - http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/