Guidelines for Parents and Guardians

This section should be read and acted upon by all club members.

• Written permission from a parent or guardian is required for all young people under the age of 18 to take part in club runs.  In addition, children under 13 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or other responsible adult such as a club coach.
• Adverse weather may affect the ride and your child should be prepared for this by wearing suitable clothing, particularly on cold mornings when thermal layers, gloves and a warm hat under the helmet are essential; a waterproof jacket should be carried on all club runs.
• The leaders of club runs are given guidance on the care of young people and this is published on the club website.  Young people will not be left unattended.
• If, in the opinion of the run leader, an accompanied young rider appears to lack sufficient ability to enable the club run to continue safely, it is the duty of the accompanying parent or adult acting in loco parentis to escort the young rider home.
• Run leaders are not obliged to accompany home a young or inexperienced rider who is tiring, and is not accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult.  In these circumstances two adult club members will accompany the young person to a point where they can be met by a parent or other responsible adult.
• If, for whatever reason, an unaccompanied young person is unable to continue to ride at all, it is the duty of the parent or other responsible adult to come to collect them from wherever they are immediately.  Whilst the whole ride is not obliged to wait with the young person, two adult club members will stay with the young person until collected.
• Whilst run leaders have no specific responsibility for young riders, as leaders of an organised club event they are asked to monitor and report to the club welfare officer via welfare@solihullcc.org.uk any incidences of physical or verbal bullying or abuse.
• Run leaders and all fellow riders are asked to avoid excessive physical contact; this is as simple as asking if the young rider wants a push, as opposed to assuming.
• Inappropriate language can be an issue, particularly in a physical sporting environment.  Run leaders try to encourage fellow riders to act as ambassadors for Solihull Cycling Club and discourage anything they feel is inappropriate.
• Selecting the correct ride level to suit your child’s capabilities is not always easy, but you can be assured that the runs leaders will be happy to advise you.