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Risk Assessment
Free Wheel North Cycling Centre
Whilst team members have to be conscious of safety at all times and constantly evaluate risk, it must be recognised that it is not possible or indeed desirable to entirely remove all risk from cycling activities. The main factor in managing risk is the quality, experience and judgment of the team members, whose purpose it is to ensure that consequences are acceptable. Team members are expected to make decisions in the best interest of their clients and whilst they are required to be mindful of guidelines and standards of accepted practice, common sense takes precedence.
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Type of activity:
FWN bikes at the track at Free Wheel North Cycling Centre
Date of activity:
During FWN opening hours
Summer 10am-5pm Winter 10am-3.30pm
Leading Environment:
Tarmac track
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Team involved:
Core team members and volunteers
Users : Special Needs Groups and general public
Ability: Beginners / Intermediate
Age: 0-100
Project Manager: Norman Armstrong
Telephone: 07891097936
Project Co-ordinator : Carol Thompson
Telephone: 07921369659
Signature: Carol Thompson (online)
Date: 19/02/2020
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Hazard description People stopping on the track
People at risk Support Staff
Control measures Tell support workers not to stop on the track, advise them of the exit and entrance to the pit stop
Notes Be vigilant and monitor support staff to ensure they don’t stop in the middle of the track
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Hazard description Adults ‘shoogling’ or shaking the handle bars on the side by side bikes
People at risk Service users
Control measures Tell drivers not to shoogle or shake the handlebars. Monitor and give verbal instruction to not misuse the bikes
Notes Be vigilant and monitor support staff
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Hazard description Fall from bike or go-kart
People at risk Users, Team members, Volunteers
Control measures Users offered helmets before using bikes.
Users shown where the brake is on the bike and advised how to use it correctly.
Team and volunteers trained to cope with identified hazards such as hill or speeding cyclists which may cause a fall or crash and advise users of safe use of bikes.
Seat belts have been added to double go-karts and to side by side bikes, ensure that they are used correctly
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Hazard description Collision between users on the track
People at risk Users, Team members, Volunteers
Control measures Clear instructions on spacing, and control of bike.
Encourage communication with others in the area. Encourage users of the track to be aware of other people and bikes.
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Hazard description Bikes moving at speed
People at risk Users, Team members,Volunteers
Control measuresInstruction to be given on use of bikes and safe speeds. If users continue at high speeds then should be asked to leave the track.
If younger cyclists on track areas can be sectioned off to provide a safer segregated area.
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Hazard description Mechanical breakdown
People at risk Users, Team members, Volunteers
Control measures Bikes maintained adequately for the track.
Bikes to be M-checked before use.
Any repairs or breakages to be reported to the mechanics and the bike taken out of service.
Inform mechanics of any severe collision with other bikes or go-karts.
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Hazard description Medical emergency
People at risk Users, Team members, Volunteers
Control measures All core team to be first aid trained.
Emergency procedures in place and all staff made aware of emergency procedures.
All team and volunteers to be made aware of location of first aid kits
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Hazard description Adverse weather conditions
People at risk Users, Team members, Volunteers
Control measuresTeam and volunteers appropriately dressed for all weathers.
On hot days, suncream provided and all staff advised to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
All staff given plenty of breaks. Users are advised to appropriate clothing for the weather conditions.
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Hazard description Glass on track
People at risk Team members, Volunteers
Control measures Staff to sweep glass and other hazards from the track.
Track to be checked in the morning for any glass or other hazards.
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Hazard description Tyres on track
People at risk Users, Team members, Volunteers
Control measures Track to be checked in the morning to ensure the tyres are not blocking the track and that the correct lanes are open for use.
When moving tyres staff will lift correctly using knees to not hurt their back.
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Hazard description Injury to person when moving bikes
People at risk Team members,Volunteers
Control measures All staff advised on how to move bikes and trikes correctly.
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Hazard description Users not using bikes safely
People at risk Users, Team members, Volunteers
Control measures Staff advised on how to use bikes safely and correctly.
Users will be asked to stop if they are using the bikes in an unsafe manner, going too fast or crashing into other users.
Monitor the people using the bikes and if not safe communicate to them to change their behaviour or remove them from the track.
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Hazard description Public walking on the track
People at risk Users, Team members, Volunteers
Control measures Public will be asked not to walk on the track.
If a support worker is assisting a slow moving user they will be asked to walk on the grass.
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Hazard description Container doors
People at risk Users, Team members, Volunteers
Control measures Make sure container doors are secured in order that they don’t blow away and hit people.
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Hazard description Spectators
People at risk Users, Team members, Volunteers
Control measures Advise spectators and family members to watch from the chairs and seated areas.
Discourage them from standing at the side, particularly in front of the cabin, where they may distract users on bikes and cause accidents.
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Hazard description Injury to team or volunteers
People at risk Users, Team members, Volunteers
Control measures Spectators,Team and volunteers not use bikes for stunts or improper use. People should be told to stop if attempting stunts or misusing bikes.
Team members will wear appropriate coloured high viz yellow for core team and orange for volunteers.
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Hazard description Ice
People at risk Team members, Service users
Control measures On cold mornings the track will be assessed by the team who will decide if its safe to use. Grit will be used where appropriate or sections of the track closed off.
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Hazard description Glass / sharp implements on or around the track
People at risk Team members, Service users
Control measures To notify a core team member immediately who will decide if the glass / sharp implement should be swept up or picker used. It should then be placed in the sharps box that is under the sink in the cabin. The sharps boxes will be monitored and FWN will contact the council when they need to be removed.
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Hazard description Unable to control bike / go kart
People at risk Team members, Service users
Control measures Team members will use bikes and go karts appropriate for the height and age of the service users and customers ensuring users can reach the pedals and the brakes. The seats can be moved to assist users. Team members will tell users where the brakes are. Anyone on the track not able to safely use their bike / go kart should be taken into the pit stop and swapped onto another bike or go kart.
Service users unable to go on the bikes / go karts them selves should go on as a passenger with their designated adult.
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Hazard description On the track
People at risk Team Members
Control measures All team members will wear a high viz on the track. Core team members will wear yellow, volunteers will wear orange with Volunteer written on the back.
For service users using the red trike with the handle, their designated adult should be advised to wear the green high viz with Visitor written on it. This will help differentiate between FWN team and visitors.
Adults / support workers / parents should be directed towards the spectator area to watch. If they insist on going on the track advise them to walk on the grass.
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Hazard description On the track
People at risk Support workers, Service users
Control measures If people have not read or if they have ignored the signs they may stop on the track. Always monitor all people on the track and use your voice to ensure they don’t stop on the track.
When putting people on the bikes / go karts advise them of the way in and way out of the pit stop.
If people do stop on the track tell them that they have stopped in the wrong place and ensure they know not to do that again.
Hazard description Too many users the track
People at risk Service Users
Control measures Ensure that the track does not get overcrowded and that movement is still flowing. If it gets too busy stop putting people on and allow people to finish their time and come off. Always ensure there are plenty of volunteers monitoring the track on busy days – ie bank holiday weekends and summer holidays.
Ensure extra help is around on busy bank holidays and in summer holidays
Hazard description Busy track
People at risk Service Users
Control measures There will be a minimum of 2 staff members on duty at all times. In busy times such as bank holidays and Easter and summer holidays there will be 3 staff members. Extra staff and volunteers will be on duty on busy days to monitor the track and users on the bikes and go karts.
Hazard description Bikes and carts going the wrong way on the track
People at risk Service Users
Control measures Some users may go the wrong way on the track. There are arrows indicating directional flow. Some users may have a disability and not see the signs. Users will be advised when getting on the bikes to follow the arrows. Team and volunteers will observe and monitor users and use vocal instruction to follow the arrows. If users continue to not follow the arrows then support workers and parents will be advised of the safety issue and the individual will be asked to leave the track.
Arrows and signs will be continuously monitored and suggestions from the team implemented
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Additional Notes:
Users of the track at Free Wheel North may have differing physical and mental disabilities. We can recommend helmets but they are not a legal requirement.
Team members will put users on suitable size bikes and ensure they can reach the pedals and know where the brakes are. Position and use of the brakes will be explained. Seats can be adjusted to the height of the rider.
If users are causing risk to other users on the track they will be asked to stop with the assistance and co-operation of an individual’s support worker or teacher, in a way not to distress the user.
The track has recently undertaken a redesign and resurfacing. Monitoring and research should continue with use on the track as to how people use it and any further dangers or features be assessed and redesigned if necessary to ensure a safe track for users of all abilities.
Team and volunteers will monitor users on the track and if not using the bikes safely will be asked to stop.
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