COVID-19 Welsh Cycling is suspending all of its sanctioned, cycling activities, initially until April 30.
Welsh Cycling have issued the following statement on their website Read IT Here.
Welsh Cycling are going to use this page as our hub for the next couple of weeks and then will be following up with daily updates at 6pm across our social media channels.
Welsh Cycling Statement
The situation is changing rapidly, so we will endeavour to get any relevant information across to you as soon as possible.
In light of the recent developments surrounding COVID-19, Welsh Cycling have been monitoring closely the developments across Wales.
Since our last statement on the 13th March 2020, over the weekend the situation regarding COVID-19 has altered significantly. The UK Government’s announcement on the 16th March 2020 has further changed the situation (i.e non-essential contact, avoiding social contact and non-essential travel).
Our priority is the wellbeing, health and safety of all our members, staff, volunteers and the general public. British Cycling have suspended all of its sanctioned, cycling activities, initially until April 30. Welsh Cycling are also taking this approach and will be suspending all of its sanctioned, cycling activities, initially until April 30.
British Cycling Chief Executive Julie Harrington said: “This was not a decision taken lightly and it is one we have taken in close cooperation with our colleagues at Scottish Cycling and Welsh Cycling.
“We fully understand and appreciate the financial, social and community impact that this suspension could have, and we are working now to ensure that cycling is in the best possible health once the suspension can be lifted.
“As I’m sure everyone can appreciate, these are truly unprecedented circumstances, and while we will be doing all we can to retain a sense of normality and continuity, it may take some time to return to full capacity as an organisation and as a sport once this situation has been resolved.
“We will continue to update our members with more information, and will be doing everything within our power to support those who have contributed to the rich cycling culture that this country boasts.”
Last week we launched our Go-Ride series in Wales – which you can find more information about here. Starting immediately this series will be postponed, initially until 30 April. We will continue to assess this after the 30 April and will keep any relevant clubs and stakeholders up-to-date with development. Further to this we will also be cancelling all Go-Ride holiday activities as well.
Further information is below about what this means for our Welsh Cycling members and clubs across Wales:
Event organisers:
- Those organisers whose events were due to take place before April 30 will have their events manually cancelled by British Cycling via the Event Management System. Further information will be made available in due course
- Welsh Cycling will work alongside these event organisers on the refund process for entered riders
- Welsh Cycling will work alongside organisers to identify a way to progress the race calendar once Government advice permits racing to recommence
- Those organisers whose events are due to take place after April 30 are advised that Welsh Cycling will issue further advice as and when Government guidance progresses. We appreciate that organisers will be making their own contingency plans, and may need to cancel events post-April 30 to provide certainty
Clubs:
- Our recommendation to clubs is that no organised activity (including rides, training, coaching, events) should take place during this period, in line with government advice on social gatherings on non-essential travel.
- We are directing Welsh Cycling staff to suspend their organised activity with clubs and groups.
- You can still go out on your bike – we just recommend that you follow the latest advice with regards to hygiene and social distancing. More information in the links below.
Ride Leaders/Breeze Champions
- Any British Cycling-sanctioned ride which was due to take place prior to April 30 in Wales cannot now go ahead, and will be cancelled by British Cycling.
- We would urge Ride Leaders/Breeze Champions to ensure that any level of organised activity they choose to undertake away from British Cycling-sanctioned rides is in line with Government advice. Please see links below for further guidance. We will be in communication with the relevant authorities to seek additional advice on your behalf.
Race Participants:
- Any participant who had paid to enter an event before April 30 will be issued with a refund in due course. We are working alongside event organisers to ensure that this process is as efficient as possible
- For riders booked onto sessions in the upcoming weeks, session fees will be rolled forward to when sessions recommence.
- As in other countries affected by the virus, guidance is that professional riders can continue to train, as long as Government advice is adhered to.
Education courses:
- Any course scheduled to take place prior to April 30 will not now go ahead. British Cycling will arrange refunds where applicable in due course and will look to reschedule once Government advice permits activity to recommence.
Welsh Cycling recommends that clubs:
• Prioritise the health and wellbeing of all participants, coaches, volunteers and all others involved in activity.
• Keep in contact with any facility which you meet at or use as part of your activity and follow their guidance too.
• Consider your communication to club members, participants and volunteers who no longer wish to take part in activity due to health concerns. This should be accepted as a given and supported.
• Ensure that coaches and volunteers are well supported and, in a position to deliver safe activity.
• Consider overall numbers that are likely to be involved within club environments and sessions and whether you need to make any changes (e.g. splitting into smaller groups etc) to ensure risks are minimised.
• Prohibit the sharing of equipment, particularly gloves, helmets and clothing.
• If you have planned indoor activities involving large numbers of people in close proximity, consider the size of these gatherings and whether alternative approaches to training should be used.
• Consider their refund policy for club activity. If you suspend activity you are likely to be asked this question, so we recommend that you ensure your club has an agreed position and that it is clearly communicated to your members.
• Review the guidance provided by appropriate agencies regularly and update club information when required.
• Consider the risk level of any activity and the current need to reduce pressure on emergency services.
• Follow and promote the advice that has been provided by the appropriate agencies regarding the best way to minimise the risks of infection, as well as the advice provided should anyone become unwell and develop symptoms of COVID-19.
Essential contacts
Welsh Cycling offices are not on complete lockdown at the moment, but the situation is fluid at the moment. So if you need to contact a member of our team, here are a list of useful contacts who will be able to answer questions.
In light of the recent developments surrounding COVID-19, Welsh Cycling have been monitoring closely the developments across Wales.
Since our last statement on the 13th March 2020, over the weekend the situation regarding COVID-19 has altered significantly. The UK Government’s announcement on the 16th March 2020 has further changed the situation (i.e non-essential contact, avoiding social contact and non-essential travel).
Our priority is the wellbeing, health and safety of all our members, staff, volunteers and the general public. British Cycling have suspended all of its sanctioned, cycling activities, initially until April 30. Welsh Cycling are also taking this approach and will be suspending all of its sanctioned, cycling activities, initially until April 30.
British Cycling Chief Executive Julie Harrington said: “This was not a decision taken lightly and it is one we have taken in close cooperation with our colleagues at Scottish Cycling and Welsh Cycling.
“We fully understand and appreciate the financial, social and community impact that this suspension could have, and we are working now to ensure that cycling is in the best possible health once the suspension can be lifted.
“As I’m sure everyone can appreciate, these are truly unprecedented circumstances, and while we will be doing all we can to retain a sense of normality and continuity, it may take some time to return to full capacity as an organisation and as a sport once this situation has been resolved.
“We will continue to update our members with more information, and will be doing everything within our power to support those who have contributed to the rich cycling culture that this country boasts.”
Last week we launched our Go-Ride series in Wales – which you can find more information about here. Starting immediately this series will be postponed, initially until 30 April. We will continue to assess this after the 30 April and will keep any relevant clubs and stakeholders up-to-date with development. Further to this we will also be cancelling all Go-Ride holiday activities as well.
Further information is below about what this means for our Welsh Cycling members and clubs across Wales:
Event organisers:
- Those organisers whose events were due to take place before April 30 will have their events manually cancelled by British Cycling via the Event Management System. Further information will be made available in due course
- Welsh Cycling will work alongside these event organisers on the refund process for entered riders
- Welsh Cycling will work alongside organisers to identify a way to progress the race calendar once Government advice permits racing to recommence
- Those organisers whose events are due to take place after April 30 are advised that Welsh Cycling will issue further advice as and when Government guidance progresses. We appreciate that organisers will be making their own contingency plans, and may need to cancel events post-April 30 to provide certainty
Clubs:
- Our recommendation to clubs is that no organised activity (including rides, training, coaching, events) should take place during this period, in line with government advice on social gatherings on non-essential travel.
- We are directing Welsh Cycling staff to suspend their organised activity with clubs and groups.
- You can still go out on your bike – we just recommend that you follow the latest advice with regards to hygiene and social distancing. More information in the links below.
Ride Leaders/Breeze Champions
- Any British Cycling-sanctioned ride which was due to take place prior to April 30 in Wales cannot now go ahead, and will be cancelled by British Cycling.
- We would urge Ride Leaders/Breeze Champions to ensure that any level of organised activity they choose to undertake away from British Cycling-sanctioned rides is in line with Government advice. Please see links below for further guidance. We will be in communication with the relevant authorities to seek additional advice on your behalf.
Race Participants:
- Any participant who had paid to enter an event before April 30 will be issued with a refund in due course. We are working alongside event organisers to ensure that this process is as efficient as possible
- For riders booked onto sessions in the upcoming weeks, session fees will be rolled forward to when sessions recommence.
- As in other countries affected by the virus, guidance is that professional riders can continue to train, as long as Government advice is adhered to.
Education courses:
- Any course scheduled to take place prior to April 30 will not now go ahead. British Cycling will arrange refunds where applicable in due course and will look to reschedule once Government advice permits activity to recommence.
Welsh Cycling recommends that clubs:
• Prioritise the health and wellbeing of all participants, coaches, volunteers and all others involved in activity.
• Keep in contact with any facility which you meet at or use as part of your activity and follow their guidance too.
• Consider your communication to club members, participants and volunteers who no longer wish to take part in activity due to health concerns. This should be accepted as a given and supported.
• Ensure that coaches and volunteers are well supported and, in a position to deliver safe activity.
• Consider overall numbers that are likely to be involved within club environments and sessions and whether you need to make any changes (e.g. splitting into smaller groups etc) to ensure risks are minimised.
• Prohibit the sharing of equipment, particularly gloves, helmets and clothing.
• If you have planned indoor activities involving large numbers of people in close proximity, consider the size of these gatherings and whether alternative approaches to training should be used.
• Consider their refund policy for club activity. If you suspend activity you are likely to be asked this question, so we recommend that you ensure your club has an agreed position and that it is clearly communicated to your members.
• Review the guidance provided by appropriate agencies regularly and update club information when required.
• Consider the risk level of any activity and the current need to reduce pressure on emergency services.
• Follow and promote the advice that has been provided by the appropriate agencies regarding the best way to minimise the risks of infection, as well as the advice provided should anyone become unwell and develop symptoms of COVID-19.
Essential contacts
Welsh Cycling offices are not on complete lockdown at the moment, but the situation is fluid at the moment. So if you need to contact a member of our team, here are a list of useful contacts who will be able to answer questions.