Sun City Cycling Club
Policy and Operational Guidelines
 
Listed below are policies and guidelines to guide the club in conducting the normal daily operation of club bicycle rides, events and activities. These policies and guidelines may be modified as needed or required.
General Policies:
  1.
All activities of the club should be conducted in a professional manner and to support the Sun City Cycling Club’s goal of safe and enjoyable bicycling.
  2.
The Sun City Cycling Club’s weekly bicycling rides are to be conducted as a Non-Drop ride, meaning that no rider will be left behind. That day’s Ride Leader is responsible for making sure no rider is left behind.
  3.
All bicyclists (riders) on a Sun City Cycling Club event must be of legal age or accompanied by their parent, grandparent or legal guardian. The parent, grandparent or legal guardian is responsible for the minor and must always ride with the minor.
  4.
Each participant must sign that day’s Wavier of Liability form provided by the Ride Leader.
COVID-19 Policies:
  1.
Sun City Cycling Club participants will respect their fellow riders at all times by following recommended safety precautions and social distancing as recommended by federal, state, local government agencies and appropriate health and scientific organizations. Some of these include but are not limited to the following.
  CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
  American Specialty Insurance: https://americanspecialty.com/lab/covid-19-return-to-ride-cycling-checklist.pdf
  USA Cycling: https://s3.amazonaws.com/usac-craft-uploads-production/documents/COVID-19-Event Resources/Group_Ride_Recommendations_061220.pdf
  2.
Regarding Sun City Cycling events and safeguarding the club members: Each event or activity leader is responsible to assure participants are safe; however ultimately each member is responsible for their own safety and operating in their comfort zone. If you are a member that has a concern or question about the COVID safety precautions, contact the event or activity leader directly. Event leaders and activity leaders must respond to member’s questions.
We are all in this together. Let’s make cycling events safe and enjoyable for all.
Guest Policies:
1. Guests are always welcome on/at Sun City Cycling Club rides and events.
2. Guests are covered by the club’s insurance policy only on their first ride.
3. Guests that ride more than three times in a three-month period will be strongly encouraged to join the club.
Safety Policies:
  1. Bicyclists on Sun City Cycling Club events are required to wear a certified helmet whenever they are on the bicycle and riding. No exceptions.
  2.
Bicyclists on Sun City Cycling Club events are strongly encouraged to wear gloves and have a front light and red taillight on all rides (lights required for nighttime rides).
  3.
All bicyclists on Sun City Cycling Club rides must obey all applicable traffic laws, and exercise proper safe riding procedures and road position as outlined in nationally recognized bicycling safety classes.
  4.
Consistent violation of Safety Policy 3 above and the Sun City Cycling Club will deny the violator the right to participate in Sun City Cycling Club rides and events.
  5. Participants in special events must comply with any additional posted safety procedures and requirements.
  6.
Participants may use road bikes, hybrid, commuter, or mountain bikes or Class 1 and Class 3 e-bikes. E-bikes must require you to pedal. Class 2 E-BIKES and bikes that have a throttle that do not require you to pedal are "PROHIBITED" on Sun City Cycling Club rides. See Policy under the Club Info.
Rides:
The Sun City Cycling Club conducts regular weekly rides on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays. Rides will be led by a qualified Ride Leader; see Ride Leader Policy. Rides generally start from the Sundial Recreation Center of Sun City, 14801 N 103rd Ave, Sun City, AZ 85351, at the NE corner of 103rd Ave. and Boswell. The first Thursday of the month may have a starting location outside of Sun City as posted on the events calendar on the Website.
Alternative, Additional and Special rides: Generally, only one ride per day will be scheduled. If a Ride Leader wishes to post an alternative ride the following applies:
  1. Rides with starting points outside of Sun City a Ride Leader may post an alternative ride starting in Sun City.
  2.
If Regular rides is starting in Sun City and a Ride Leader desires to schedule an alternative ride to our normal regular ride, they should get permission from the Ride Leader for that week’s regular ride, communicate that to the Chairman and Ride Leader Co-Ordinator. This is discouraged except in extreme special circumstances.
  3. Additional or Special Rides on days other than the club’s regular rides may be posted by Ride Leaders.
  4.

Details of all rides other than the regular weekly rides should be sent to the Chairman, Ride Leader Co-Ordinator, webpage manager and posted on the club’s Facebook page. (if not on FB please advise the chairman and/or Ride Leader Co-Ordinator)
Ride Leader Policies:
Ride Leaders will make appropriate announcements and ask if anyone else has information to share.
  1.
Ride Leaders must complete a Ride Leader training course conducted by Sun City Cycling or an equivalent course. This should be updated at a minimum every two years.
  2. Ride Leaders must complete a certified bicycle safety course and stay updated by doing a review at least once every two years. (LAB Bike Ed course or Savvy Cycling online course or their equivalent.)
  3. Ride Leaders should post their ride on the club’s event page located at the ridewithgps link on the website. The route map, contact information and short description should be posted at least one week before the event.
a. They should post their name and contact information.
b. They should download the route map from Ride With GPS.
c. They should update the description and give details about the ride if needed.
  4. Ride Leaders will ensure that everyone has signed the ride Waiver of Liability.
  5. Ride Leaders will introduce themselves, recognize guests and make sure everyone is welcome.
  6. Ride Leaders will make appropriate announcements and ask if anyone else has information to share.
  7. Rider Leaders will give a brief overview of the ride, distance, speed and estimated time to finish.
  8. Ride leaders will remind participants of the need for safety and emphasize any items needing special attention.
E-Bike Policies:
Sun City Cycling Club participants may use road bikes, hybrid, commuter, or mountain bikes or Class 1 and Class 3 e-bikes. E-bikes must require you to pedal.
Class 2 E-BIKES and bikes that have a throttle that do not require you to pedal ARE PROHIBITED ON Sun City Cycling Club rides.
Tri bike and fixie bike use is strongly discouraged in group rides. Tricycles that comply with the above guidelines are welcome.
All riders, regardless of the bike they ride, are expected to comply with proper group riding etiquette and to ride safely.
Class 1: e-Bikes that are pedal-assist only, with no throttle, and have a maximum assisted speed of 20 mph
Class 2: e-Bikes that also have a maximum speed of 20 mph, but are throttle-assisted
Class 3: e-Bikes that are pedal-assist only, with no throttle, and a maximum assisted speed of 28 mph
Dues:
The board at the May 2021 Board Meeting approved that if a member joins after July 1st, their dues will carry through the following year.
Updated on April 16, 2024