Safety and the rules/regulations/law of open road racing.

leCycliste wrote: »

Cameras on bikes aren't actually allowed in road races and are againts UCI rules. That stems from a TV rights ruling but never the less the comms should and has the powers to take action if they see one on a bike during a road race.

Is that the exact rule? Or is it merely that a camera cannot be mounted on the riders helmet/body?
But is ok to mount on the bike itself?

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

This is the whole point... They're supposed to call it out, they don't and until they do, nothing will change. I've memorised one number from A4 who was at it this weekend. I can only remember that number, not the 20-30 others who were up to it the whole race. That's the comms job, not mine. Whether I feel put out by the behavior or not doesn't really matter, I'm not the enforcer.

It should matter. You are being put at risk by the reckless behaviour and lack of respect of others, by others. That is simply unacceptable.

07Lapierre wrote: »

I think a lot of riders don't realise that riders that cycle on the wrong side of the road are not only putting themselves at risk. If an oncoming car approaches these riders, they are going to move back over to the left....guess which rider will end up in the ditch?

I think that they are very aware of that fact. The problem as I see it, is that the part of the brain that is responsible for this thought process seems to be over powered by the part that demands a high race position and hence the recklessness ensues.

Is it that it's expensive or a load of hassle to get a temporary road closure? I know for the Rås last year they had a bike cop waving in cars from the opposite direction about 200m in front of the pack,and another waving them back out after all the support cars had passed. Probably safer if it is on a busy road and people are determined to be at that.

Not sure how viable that idea is,it might just be easier to hand out bollockings after repeated incidents. I guess technically you can cross a broken white line on the road to overtake,so maybe that will have to be taken into account,or else it will have to be a black and white "no crossing the line"

A bit off topic, but a bit of pub talk I heard was that you can get points on your driving licence if you're caught doing something that would get you points on your driving licence in your car,i.e. dodgy overtaking,or not stopping at stop signs? Set of my B.S. alarm a bit but you never know

Some good advise in this article:
http://www.stickybottle.com/coaching/braking-bad-a-funny-but-invaluable-guide-to-the-early-season-racing-madness/

A few points:

1: Cycle Racing is a dangerous sport. If you are not prepared to accept that it is a dangerous sport caused by a number of areas such as dangerous roads, dangerous rider behavior, then try Sportive cycling where a different part of the road traffic act governs (ie two abreast)

2: Rider cameras are not permitted in Cycle races either on the machine or person as they are not an essential piece of equipment or safety equipment. (similar to mudguards not being permitted in open races). All Commissaires are being reminded of this with permission to start withheld for anybody carrying such a piece of recording equipment. What you see with pro races is the UCI going through a test phase with a reputable manufacturer (shimano) and not joe bloggs fitting on a Go Pro however he pleases.

3. As already stated earlier, be very careful what you wish for. Everybody is aware of the situation in NDC. Be prepared to see such situations being rolled out nationwide if muppets continue to post videos from inside the peloton. Ireland is currently in a very unique state in that road closures are not mandatory. It may not be too far away based on NDC, all the authorities need is ammo to justify the case and the plonkers posting up these videos online line are handing this ammo to them on a plate. Thereafter you will all be moaning on boards about how there is no racing anymore because organisers cannot afford Road Closure orders and the associated man power that goes with them due to the costs.

4. It is a road race, racing happens, risks are taken to gain an advantage in position that may lead to a favourable finishing position. If not happy with the concept of racing, then racing is not for you.

5. Organisers need to wake up and realise that putting a single lead car out front with a ****ty single flashing beacon maybe was sufficient 20 years ago, but not today. God help them if there was a breakaway that was 2mins up the road. If organisers want to take on an unlimited peloton size , then they have the responsibility to ensure adequate safety cover for those numbers. A single lead car with a single beacon and no warning signage simply wont cut it anymore. Sure everything has a flashing beacon these days. A motorist wouldnt even pay attention to that these days.

6. Commissaires are not available in the sufficient numbers to act on what posters here are expecting. To DSQ a rider when on your own as a Commissaire would involve having to stop the race and then try and pull that rider out. Simply not practical without more on motorbikes and even then a dangerous situation for them trying to engage with the riders to pull out.

7. The Commissaires are responsible for the sporting conduct of the race. The riders are wholly responsible for their own safety and the safety of others in obeying the rules of the road. Everybody's signature indicating that commitment is there to see when you sign on a signing on sheet.

8. Marshal education is non existant. A person dons a Hi Viz and a red flag and all of a sudden they believe they have the power to stop traffic, which became the detriment to some events locally. This is simply not the case with only the Gardai having the legal authority to stop a car. So Marshal education is required to highlight what they can and cant do and how to go about using their role efficiently for the safety of the riders.

9. As already stated, be careful what you wish for. Boards has proved to be a strong voice for getting things done in the past. I can guarantee the next steps coming down the line will be:
A) Restricted peloton sizes for the level of the event
Resulting in pre entry for EVERY event
C) Increase in entry fees per race due to increased costs in event support for the days program of racing
D) Pre event Marshal briefing days in advance of the event being required to ensure everybody is acting in the spirit of the current Road Traffic Act.

Then and only then, we may be able prevent the authorities from imposing Road Closure orders on future cycling events and therefore wiping out half the CI Calendar.

Its going to be one hell of a long season if this the tone from the first event. Instead of posting negativity, learn to attack in a race and get breakaways forming for your own safety and possible success then.

morana wrote: »

@gmci the video is there ask the college of commisars to go scrutinise it and suspend the offending plonkers/muppets or as I prefer riders.

Unfortunately it is not in the remit of the College of Commissaires. Commissaires can only act on matters of sporting conduct, on the day which is up to a maximum if Disqualification in severity.

Issues that may result in suspensions are handled under the discipline section of the regulations. Ie, the provincial executive.

GMCI wrote: »

A few points:

1: Cycle Racing is a dangerous sport. If you are not prepared to accept that it is a dangerous sport caused by a number of areas such as dangerous roads, dangerous rider behavior, then try Sportive cycling where a different part of the road traffic act governs (ie two abreast)

2: Rider cameras are not permitted in Cycle races either on the machine or person as they are not an essential piece of equipment or safety equipment. (similar to mudguards not being permitted in open races). All Commissaires are being reminded of this with permission to start withheld for anybody carrying such a piece of recording equipment. What you see with pro races is the UCI going through a test phase with a reputable manufacturer (shimano) and not joe bloggs fitting on a Go Pro however he pleases.

3. As already stated earlier, be very careful what you wish for. Everybody is aware of the situation in NDC. Be prepared to see such situations being rolled out nationwide if muppets continue to post videos from inside the peloton. Ireland is currently in a very unique state in that road closures are not mandatory. It may not be too far away based on NDC, all the authorities need is ammo to justify the case and the plonkers posting up these videos online line are handing this ammo to them on a plate. Thereafter you will all be moaning on boards about how there is no racing anymore because organisers cannot afford Road Closure orders and the associated man power that goes with them due to the costs.

4. It is a road race, racing happens, risks are taken to gain an advantage in position that may lead to a favourable finishing position. If not happy with the concept of racing, then racing is not for you.

5. Organisers need to wake up and realise that putting a single lead car out front with a ****ty single flashing beacon maybe was sufficient 20 years ago, but not today. God help them if there was a breakaway that was 2mins up the road. If organisers want to take on an unlimited peloton size , then they have the responsibility to ensure adequate safety cover for those numbers. A single lead car with a single beacon and no warning signage simply wont cut it anymore. Sure everything has a flashing beacon these days. A motorist wouldnt even pay attention to that these days.

6. Commissaires are not available in the sufficient numbers to act on what posters here are expecting. To DSQ a rider when on your own as a Commissaire would involve having to stop the race and then try and pull that rider out. Simply not practical without more on motorbikes and even then a dangerous situation for them trying to engage with the riders to pull out.

7. The Commissaires are responsible for the sporting conduct of the race. The riders are wholly responsible for their own safety and the safety of others in obeying the rules of the road. Everybody's signature indicating that commitment is there to see when you sign on a signing on sheet.

8. Marshal education is non existant. A person dons a Hi Viz and a red flag and all of a sudden they believe they have the power to stop traffic, which became the detriment to some events locally. This is simply not the case with only the Gardai having the legal authority to stop a car. So Marshal education is required to highlight what they can and cant do and how to go about using their role efficiently for the safety of the riders.

9. As already stated, be careful what you wish for. Boards has proved to be a strong voice for getting things done in the past. I can guarantee the next steps coming down the line will be:
A) Restricted peloton sizes for the level of the event
Resulting in pre entry for EVERY event
C) Increase in entry fees per race due to increased costs in event support for the days program of racing
D) Pre event Marshal briefing days in advance of the event being required to ensure everybody is acting in the spirit of the current Road Traffic Act.

Then and only then, we may be able prevent the authorities from imposing Road Closure orders on future cycling events and therefore wiping out half the CI Calendar.

Its going to be one hell of a long season if this the tone from the first event. Instead of posting negativity, learn to attack in a race and get breakaways forming for your own safety and possible success then.

I have a very serious objection to your post. It is both insulting and ignores the fundamental point that has been made. You have suggested that if someone doesn't like the dangers of racing that they should do sportif rides instead or that they should get away up the road in a break so that they don't have to be subjected to the behaviour in question. That suggestion / solution is outrageous and you should be ashamed of putting it out there. If that is the attitude of the decision makers in CI then there is need for a much bigger change than we thought.

I enjoy racing. I understand the inherent dangers of it. That does not excuse, or make it ok, or mean that I should be forced to be subjected to increased levels of danger as a result of blatant law breaking and stupidity of other riders taking over the entire road. Simply turning the other way and saying what you have regarding what riders can do (which is basically shutup about it) and that CI can do nothing after the race is wrong on many fronts, both moral and legal.

This sort of attitude can only be eliminated with a stick approach from the top down. It is not something that can be forced from the ground up.

I am shocked at your post and I wonder is this the offical CI position on the matter? I have more that I want to say about your post but I am just so annoyed at what you have posted that I can't get the words down in the manner that I want.

killalanerr wrote: »

I'll just add one small point road closures are not required in NCD to run races .

Great!.. organise a few races in NCD and I'll happily attend.