we have been sent an email regarding the tour de kalamunda event that is on this weekend. as our members are part of cycling wa and hence part of cycling australia, they need to be aware of the potential issues involved.
Morning all,
we’ve fielded a couple of calls recently regarding the Tour de Kalamunda event occurring this weekend, and I just wanted to clarify the situation with this event. It has not been sanctioned by Cycling WA (or Cycling Australia). I spoke with the race organisers back in April following a request that we assist in promoting the event, to which I agreed as long as the sanctioning process was adhered to. It became apparent in that conversation that this was unlikely to happen, and indeed it has not.
Obviously without the required internal processes being followed we are unable to sanction the event or support it with CA accredited officials. Participants should also be aware that in the event of any incidents, CA’s insurance will not provide coverage.
Kind Regards,
Garry Chandler
Chief Executive Officer
if you are intending to do this event, it would be in your best interests to check the insurance coverage that your registration provides. we are not telling you whether you should ride or not but just to be aware of the issues.
When there are certain gains to be made in sport, we always end up with a politcal opposition of sanctioning bodies……..dissapointing in my opinion, but no matter the level, it’s there!
I was behind a number of cyclists in the Tour De Perth that locked to a halt heading down Mundaring Weir road when a cyclist at the front had a blowout, then minutes later there were ducks all over the road and again my heart was in my throat………..I wouldn’t risk a ride with no insurance on those roads.
Neil – i think that people need to read the insurance policiy to see what it does / does not cover. Its often a surprise to people as it turns out to be a lot less than they would imagine. See link below for CA insurance summary. Note that Personal Accident insurance payout under this policy halves in a non ‘sanctioned’ ride – such as a SPR ‘Sat’ ride where there are non club members on the ride. To avoid disappointment – always read & understand the small print. https://welcome2.willis.com/cycling/DocLibrary/Documents/Cycling_Australia_Summary_of_Cover_2011_2012.pdf
Thanks for the heads-up Pete … myself and others were only minutes from signing up last night … glad I saw this first.
@neil, being the SPR rep on the Race Management Committe for CWA and seeing what is involved in requesting that CWA sanction the event, this is not about Political opposition of the sanctioning body. It is a simple, you have not filled out the paperwork for us to consider, so we cannot sanction this event. No other sinister motive. Any event can get CWA sanctioning if the correct paperwork is provided and considered by the committee.
As a recent example, the Goldfields Cyclassic was not sanctioned at the last meeting, because the nessesary paperwork was not filled in to be presented to the committee. It was, however, decided, that due to the Cyclassic organisers, stating before the meeting, that they would endeavour to get the paper work to CWA. The committee agreed to consider the application for Sanctioning via email. This was done as we all wanted to support any event that promoted cycling, and didn’t want to see an event like this not go ahead. Had they NOT provided the paperwork, I would not have supported the sanctioning of this or any other event.
Sanctioning involves considering the safety and conduct of the event, including ensuring sufficient people and positions are planned for, traffic management plans are in place, and the general conduct of the event is OK. It is NOT about excluding events for political motivation, or even favouring those clubs that seem to put on a lot of events. They get sanctioned because they fill in the paperwork, and the committee agree to it.
I support the decision by CWA to ADVISE everyone that this is a non sanctioned event. They have NOT advised you to avoid the event. Just check with the organisers what level of insurance your entry fee gets you.
All good guys, it’s merely a freindly opinion, I’m hoping I haven’t drawn any lines in the sand here.
In terms of insurance I guess some cover is better than no cover, but I have read the fine print, particularly when I received my membership. There are no other options for CWA membership holders (that I’m aware of?) in terms of insurance, unless you wish to pursue a secondary form of cover?
Thanks Jorgy and it wasn’t directed at any party in particular and I’m not trying to open up a debate here, but I like to jump on my bike and ride without the concern of who sanctions what race. It’s confusing and a little misleading. I have participated in other forms of sport where it was all about politics and protecting the positions (and ego’s) of those responsible for their particular sanctions. You had a title recognized nationally in one sanction, that wasn’t in the other… It becomes less and less about the athletes who are the only ones that ultimately lose out in the end. From my short time amongst the cycling fraternity, I have learnt there are 2 organisations in the sport in WA, one of which I discovered would not honour an insurance policy for participating in events sanctioned by the other? I’ve heard of from various sources now by word of mouth, one of them being referred to as a ‘business organisation’. What does that offer the athletes?
I think we all need some sort of regulation to our sport, for the safety and well being of all who participate. But my question is, why are we paying separate fees to different organisations to race, ride or enjoy the sport on a semi competitive level? I’m sure there are many riders out there that cycling is merely a hobby/recreation, that don’t want to be caught up reading fine prints, they just want to get out there participating?? Be it little cover or not, I feel sorry for the person that might (heaven forbid) come down in that non-sanctioned race and find out their not covered at all. Expensive sport I do agree and by choice, but not as encouraging to get people on bikes as it could be.
There is a similar sort of topic in the mountain bike forums. The committee has supplied a link to the rules and regulations that govern the sport. A few started picking it to bits.
The race director had this to say:
“Its good to see that people are reading the rules with such care and attention.
It is the obligation of the PMBC to make sure all riders are safe, have fun and are well informed of current technical guidelines.
As race director it is my job to make sure, you arrive, ride, and leave with the biggest smile on your face, so you come back for more.
I also have a duty to make sure you have access to rules and regulations.
If you wish to read through the entire booklet, please feel free, the rest of us are going riding.”