Staying Safe on Two Wheels: What to Do When a Ride Goes Wrong
We all love the freedom, camaraderie, and challenge of cycling. It’s a passion we share, whether we’re tackling a tough climb or enjoying a leisurely spin with friends. However, as some recent incidents have reminded us, falls can happen, and sometimes they result in injuries. From minor scrapes to more serious incidents, knowing how to react can make a critical difference.
This post is to empower every rider with the knowledge and preparation to handle an emergency confidently and effectively.
Before You Even Turn a Pedal: The Power of Preparation
The best response to an incident starts long before anyone hits the road or trail. A little planning goes a long way:
- Emergency Contact & Medical Info Card: This is your number one priority.
- What to include: Full name, two emergency contact names and phone numbers, any known allergies (e.g., medications, insect stings), significant medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, epilepsy, heart conditions), and your blood type if known.
- How to carry it: Laminated card in your toolkit, a small pouch in your jersey pocket, or even clearly written on a piece of paper in a waterproof bag. Make sure it’s easily accessible and known to your riding buddies.
- “ICE” (In Case of Emergency) on Your Phone:
- Set up “ICE” contacts in your phone’s emergency settings. This allows first responders to access critical information without unlocking your phone.
- Many smartphones have a dedicated “Medical ID” or “Emergency SOS” feature where you can input health data and emergency contacts. Make sure yours is updated!
- Buddy System & Ride Leaders:
- Know who you’re riding with: Before setting off, identify who is in your group. If you’re riding with a formal club, ensure a designated Ride Leader is aware of all participants.
- Group Communication: Share phone numbers within your immediate riding group for that day. A WhatsApp group can be invaluable for real-time updates.
- Basic First Aid Knowledge:
- Consider taking a basic first aid course. Knowing how to assess an injury, control bleeding, or even just keep someone comfortable can be incredibly helpful. The club has first aid kits available. why not become a designated first aid kit carrier?
- Essential Repair Kit & Phone:
- Always carry a charged mobile phone.
- Ensure your basic repair kit (spare tube, pump/CO2, multi-tool) is in order. While not directly for injuries, mechanicals can leave you stranded, increasing vulnerability.
When a Rider Falls: Immediate Actions
The moments immediately following a fall can be chaotic. Staying calm and following a systematic approach is crucial.
- Ensure Scene Safety (STOP, LOOK, LISTEN):
- Stop: If you’re riding, stop safely, ideally off the main road.
- Look: Quickly assess for oncoming traffic or other immediate dangers. Can the injured rider be moved out of harm’s way without causing further injury?
- Listen: Listen to the injured rider. Are they conscious? What are they saying?
- Assess the Rider (DON’T MOVE UNNECESSARILY):
- Consciousness: Is the rider conscious and responsive? Ask simple questions: “What’s your name?”, “Where does it hurt?”
- Breathing: Are they breathing normally?
- Bleeding: Look for any obvious bleeding.
- Pain: Ask where they feel pain. Crucially, if there’s any suspicion of a head, neck, or spinal injury, do not move the rider unless they are in immediate danger (e.g., traffic).
- Shock: Look for signs of shock (pale, clammy skin, rapid breathing, confusion). Keep them warm.
- Delegate & Communicate:
- Call for Help: Designate one person to call emergency services (e.g., 999 in the UK). Give clear details:
- Location: Use a precise location (e.g., road name, nearest landmark, even GPS coordinates if available or download What Three Words onto your phone and learn how to use it).
- Nature of Injury: “A cyclist has fallen and sustained a suspected broken hip” or “a cyclist is unconscious.”
- Number of people: How many are injured.
- Your phone number.
- Control Traffic: If safe, have another rider stand a reasonable distance up and down the road to warn oncoming traffic.
- Comfort the Injured: Someone should stay with the injured rider, offering reassurance, keeping them warm, and monitoring their condition.
- Call for Help: Designate one person to call emergency services (e.g., 999 in the UK). Give clear details:
- Access Emergency Information:
- Retrieve the injured rider’s emergency contact card or access their phone’s “Medical ID” if they are unable to communicate.
- Communicate this information to emergency services when they arrive.
- Notify Emergency Contacts (Once First Responders are on the way/scene):
- Using the information from the rider’s emergency card, someone should contact their designated emergency person to inform them of the situation. Provide clear, concise information without alarming them unnecessarily.
After the Incident: Debrief and Support
Once the immediate emergency is handled, it’s important to:
- Club Communication: For club rides, the Ride Leader or a designated club official should inform the wider club (if appropriate) about the incident, maintaining rider privacy.
- Report The Incident: Complete the Incident Report Form held on the clubs website. This can be found at the bottom of the website.
- Support: Offer support to the injured rider during their recovery. A simple card, visit, or meal can mean the world.
- Learn and Improve: Discreetly review what happened. Was there anything that could have been done better? This helps refine our safety protocols for future rides.
Cycling is about shared experiences, and that includes looking out for one another. By being prepared and knowing these steps, we can ensure that when the unexpected happens, we respond effectively, compassionately, and safely.
Ride safe, everyone!
