Silly question time?

[exhornet900 2nd chance]

Just been reading about the Land's End event.

Sounds like those going will have a great time, whether the weather be good or whether the weather be bad.

Reading through some of the discussions I started to wonder about this 'organised event insurance' business.

I often ring up workmates for rides. Sometime I send out memos inviting workmates along. I also sometimes put details on differing websites and invite people to come along.

Does this mean I'm an organiser?

Would I be liable for any claims arising from the ride?

Where does this line start???? If I ring up one mate and ask if he's coming for a ride, or if I ring up 20 mates (if I had 20 mates, that is), at what point do I become an organiser and become 'responsible'?

Last week, 11 of us got together for a cracking ride from the Cardiff area. I'd made up the route, meeting points, contacted the pub for food. What are my responsibilities to my mates? If something had gone wrong because of, say, their riding, their bike, their skill (or lack of), or even, (though unlikely this!!!!!!), another car driver's actions such as pulling out in front of a rider, could I be held responsible?

I'm seriously thinking about NOT contacting anyone and just saying that I'm going out riding & leaving it up to them to say that they will tag along.

Does anyone know the answer????????????????????????????

 

[Gecko]

Easily resolved - just ask your mates to cough up 10 quid and sign a waiver each time you go for a ride and you'll have no mates any more to ride with - QED problem solved

 

[Dahoum]

Does anyone know the answer????????????????????????????

Your insurance company will. Give them a call before anything happens and check it out.

 

[Cheesy Mike]

It's a really sad state of affairs isn't it? The insurance companies have us by the nadgers. Whether the threat is real or imaginary (and people will argue both ways) there is enough doubt in people's minds to ruin a very enjoyable pastime i.e. riding out with mates.

Our IAM group had a lengthy and boring presentation last night on the IAM's new rideout rules. The upshot is that you will spend so long briefing people about the ride and checking that they are bona-fide IAM members and that any associates have a 1:1 assigned observer, that you won't have any time left for the ride itself or the crucial half-way point bacon sandwich and cup of tea.

My position? Rolling over like a puppy and complying I'm afraid. I have way too much to lose. However I will still call up Ralphy, Steve B, Madmountainman, Vendome41 and all my other south west buddies to arrange an ad-hoc Sunday morning bacon sandwich rideout. What I won't do is publicise it formally on a public forum (not that I ever did, but that's another matter)

I do however have the option of setting up a formal GS Club UK rideout, doing a risk assessment, producing briefing sheets, route plans, taking a register of attendees and doing a pre-ride briefing. Then I can arrange and lead a ride out safe in the knowledge that I (as organiser) am covered by a sound public liability insurance policy that will protect me if the worse should happen and somebody else's insurance company should come after me alleging negligence. That's what the club was setup for, and for those nice people willing to go through all the hoops to setup a significant event it is a welcome thing.

Mike

 

[Taff]

Would this not be classed as "an informal gathering of friends with similar machines." ? Sad as hell, but this problem will crop up time and time again.

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=39863

A similar thread was started yesterday, but seems to have been pulled.

 

[MikeO]

A similar thread was started yesterday, but seems to have been pulled.

You noticed that too, huh?

Mike

 

[judge]

I posted at length on this some while back , no idea if its still here or not can't be asked searching for it.

In essence my understanding is this.

Scenario 1 - Informal

I ring up or PM a couple of mates, say where I'm going and when and where I will meet them. No briefing, no route given nil, zip nada.

I don't believe I have any responsibility/liability as an organiser in this given scenario


Scenario 2 - Formal

I post an announcement on a forum that I plan to organise a ride out, I invite people to join the ride out. I post route information, start times etc.

I believe in this scenario, in the event of an incident I might (correctly or incorrectly) be held responsible/liable for the ride out on which the incident occured.

These are two extremes and there are many levels in between which sit in the grey area.

Like Mike I don't have to worry I can go both ways, I can and have followed the considered 'best practice' and had events covered under the scheme operated by the BMF through the GS Club UK and I have arranged informal gatherings also.

Whichever best suits the situation best.