Healthy Club Policy

ATTA subscribes to and endeavours to promote the principles of 'Health in Sport': active participation in Cycling is related to its potential to contribute to a healthy lifestyle.

The nature of Time-Trialling allows riders to ride at a level that suits their particular level of physical fitness and it rewards self-improvement; it encourages riders to achieve personal goals. To encourage participation while allowing riders to ride within their abilities many of our races are arranged so that alternatives to riding only the designated distance are available: for example, by choosing courses that are circuits any number of laps may be ridden and times for each lap will be available.

ATTA focusses on specific health issues in several areas:

Events are always scheduled to start as early in the day as is practicable for the time of year - to avoid the hotter part of the day and excessive sun exposure. In addition, the longer distance events take place in the later (usually cooler) part of the season. Where extremely hot weather is forecast start times may be even earlier if feasible and the start intervals (between riders) also reduced.
Sunscreen is always available when riders register on race day and they are encouraged to use it.
All areas where riders and spectators congregate before, after or during an event are designated 'Non Smoking'
ATTA upholds the principles embodied in the 'Drugs in Sport' policies of the Australian Sports Commission and riders may be subject to regulation under these policies.
Cyclists are particularly susceptible to dehydration and may expend high levels of energy during a race and emphasis is made on the need for adequate food and fluid intake prior to and during events; attention is always given to facilitate replenishment after the race either by making sure supplies are available at the race venue or that the venue is close to retail outlets; or both. Water is always available. Sports drink is also usually available. In longer races feed stations are organised.
Similar consideration is also given to the well-being of our race helpers (marshals).

Safety. Because we ride on public roads we are obliged to comply with the rules of the road and, although much of the onus is on the riders to do this we do make every effort to ensure that hazards are avoided or minimised by ensuring:

that courses are adequately marked with both directional and safety signs prior to the start of every event;
that potentially hazardous intersections are marshalled and that riders are informed of other known or possible hazards on the course; where necessary, debris (broken glass, gravel) will be swept from the course.
We attempt to ensure that all marshal points are within mobile phone coverage and that marshals are equipped with phones and also know the contact numbers of the race organisers at the assembly areas.
An emergency toolkit is available at all events to help ensure bicycle safety standards can be met.
Riders are not permitted to use in-ear radio or sound devices that could compromise their attention to possible on-road danger signals.
Where changing road conditions (like increasing traffic density) can be seen, over time, to increase the possible hazards, these courses are abandoned and alternatives found.
Riders are always informed of known course hazards in pre-race emails that also inform them of their individual start times and give links to course maps.

Appropriately maintained First Aid kits are always available at events and we have a number of accredited First Aid personnel; contacts for and location of emergency treatment facilities are maintained in the First Aid kits and at the race registration point.
As well as Public Liability insurance cover, ATTA maintains limited cover for Personal Injury for all participants in events.

ATTA safety strategies are regularly reviewed by the management committee as part of its Risk Management Policy

This policy was last reviewed: November 26, 2018