TAMALPAIS VELO CLUB RIDE ACCIDENT & EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

The safety of our riders is always the highest priority. While no ride leader is expected to provide medical care beyond their training or experience, every ride leader and participant should be prepared to respond calmly and appropriately if an accident occurs.

Immediate Response

1. Ensure Scene Safety
  • Stop the group in a safe location.
  • Protect the injured rider(s) and others from traffic and additional hazards.
  • If safe to do so, move bicycles off the roadway.
  • Do not move an injured rider if you suspect a head, neck, back, or other serious injury unless leaving them in place presents a greater danger.

2. Assess the Situation
Call 911 immediately if:
  • A rider is unconscious or has lost consciousness.
  • A head, neck, or spinal injury is suspected.
  • There is uncontrolled bleeding.
  • A rider has difficulty breathing.
  • A fracture or other serious injury is suspected.
  • You are uncertain whether emergency medical assistance is needed.
If riding in an area without cell service, designate one or more riders to locate assistance or contact emergency services.

3. Assign Responsibilities
If multiple riders are present:
  • One person should remain with the injured rider.
  • One person should call 911 (avoid multiple callers unless instructed otherwise).
  • Others should warn approaching traffic if necessary.
  • Another rider may assume responsibility for leading the remainder of the ride if appropriate.

Caring for the Rider
  • Keep the injured rider calm and comfortable.
  • Do not remove a helmet unless it is necessary to maintain the rider's airway or directed by emergency responders.
  • Encourage the rider to remain still until their condition can be assessed.
  • If emergency responders transport the rider, determine where they are being taken and help arrange transportation for their bicycle whenever possible.
  • If the rider cannot make arrangements independently, assist in contacting their emergency contact, family member, or friend.

Continuing the Ride
Once the immediate situation has been addressed, the ride leader should determine whether the ride should continue, be modified, or be ended.
Factors to consider include:
  • Severity of the incident
  • Availability of sufficient ride leadership
  • Traffic and road conditions
  • Emotional impact on the group
  • Availability of transportation for the injured rider and their bicycle

Return-to-Ride After a Crash
A rider's participation in a Tamalpais Velo Club ride ends immediately if any of the following apply:
  • Their helmet has sustained an impact or shows any crack, dent, or structural damage.
  • They lost consciousness, even briefly.
  • They exhibit signs or symptoms of a concussion or head injury, including confusion, memory loss, dizziness, balance problems, unusual behavior, headache, nausea, vomiting, or visual disturbances.
  • They have an injury that prevents them from safely controlling or operating their bicycle.
  • A ride leader reasonably believes that continuing the ride would place the rider or others at additional risk.
In these situations, the rider should arrange transportation home or to an appropriate medical facility. They should notcontinue riding as part of the club ride.

Minor Injuries
Riders with minor abrasions ("road rash") or other superficial injuries may continue only if:
  • Bleeding has been controlled.
  • The bicycle is mechanically safe to ride.
  • The rider demonstrates they can safely control their bicycle.
  • The ride leader agrees that continuing is appropriate.
Ride leaders always retain the authority to require a rider to end their participation whenever, in their judgment, continuing would be unsafe.

Incident Documentation
Ride leaders should notify the TVC Board of any accident involving:
  • Emergency medical services
  • A hospital visit
  • Significant rider injury
  • Motor vehicle involvement
  • Significant property damage
  • Any incident that may require club follow-up

The report should include:
  • Date, time, and location
  • Riders involved
  • Brief factual description of what occurred
  • Emergency response, if any
  • Follow-up actions taken

Reports should be factual and objective, avoiding speculation or assigning fault.

Rider Preparedness
​Every rider is encouraged to:
  • Carry identification and emergency contact information.
  • Carry a fully charged mobile phone.
  • Wear a properly fitted, undamaged helmet.
  • Carry basic repair supplies.
  • Ride within their abilities and communicate if they need assistance.

Remember: People come first. Bicycles can be repaired or replaced.
When in doubt, choose the safest course of action and seek medical evaluation.
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