Staff Bike Induction Notes. Staff Bike Pool Induction Notes

Transcription

1 Staff Bike Pool Induction Notes i

2 Contents 1. Aims of this Induction 1 2. Why we Have a Bike Pool 1 3. How to Get Access to the Bike Pool Road Rules 3.2 Health and Fitness 3.3 Cycling Proficency 4. How the Bike Pool is Managed 2 5. The Bikes Location of the Bikes 5.2 Bike Equipment 6. How to Use the Bike Pool General 6.2 Booking a Bike 6.3 Before you Collect the bike 6.4 Pre-ride Three Minute Check 6.5 Bike Problems on the Road 6.6 Bike Repairs 6.7 Accident / Incident Procedures 6.8 Securing the Bike 6.9 When you Return 7. Some General Advice on Cycling 8 8. Useful Contacts and References 9 Pedal Power ACT Road Rules ACT Department of Urban Services ACT Policing AGRE2455

3 1. Aims of this Induction The aims of this induction are to provide an understanding of: Why we have a bike pool; How to get access to the bike pool; How the bike pool is managed; and How to use the bike pool. 2. Why we Have a Bike Pool The aims of providing the AGO Bike Pool are to: Provide efficient and cost-effective transport for local work trips Increase staff use of healthy active transport, consistent with the AGO s OH&S policy and the Certified Agreement s Healthy Lifestyle clauses and Workplace Injury Prevention & Management Strategy. Reduce greenhouse emissions, congestion and air pollution, consistent with TravelSmart and the National Travel Behaviour Change Program Provide leadership to the community, and demonstrate the benefits of bikes for corporate travel Develop information on factors that affect the success of a bike pool, to assist the establishment and management of other bike pool projects. 3. How to Get Access to the Bike Pool Before using the bike pool, you must attend a brief induction session and complete the bike pool participant registration form. The induction session will ensure that you: understand how the bike pool operates; are aware of the road rules, including those that apply specifically to bikes; and are aware of the importance of being sufficiently healthy, fit and proficient for the type of cycling you will be doing Road Rules When using the bike pool you must obey all road rules, including those that apply specifically to bikes. Please refer to Useful Contacts and References (below) for information about the ACT Road Rules Handbook and Enjoying Safe Cycling in the ACT brochure. 1

4 3.2. Health and Fitness For occupational health and safety reasons, bike pool users must be adequately healthy and fit. If you have any doubts about your health and fitness, we recommend that you seek medical advice before using the bike pool. The National Heart Foundation recommends 1 that you see a doctor if you ve been inactive and want to begin vigorous physical activity and: you are a male over the age of 35 or a female over the age of 45 physical activity causes pain in your chest you often faint or have spells of severe dizziness moderate physical activity makes you very breathless you have a condition that gives you a higher risk of heart disease for example smoking, being overweight, having a high blood cholesterol or high blood pressure you think you might have heart disease or your doctor has said you have heart problems you have a disturbance of your heart rhythm you are pregnant Cycling Proficiency The AGO pool bikes have quick-release seat posts and brakes activated by levers on the handlebars. Except for the electric-assisted bike, they have 21 or 28 speed gears. If you do not feel confident to ride this type of bike on the road in traffic, you may develop your cycling skills on cycle paths, shared paths and footpaths. If you believe that you would benefit from cycling proficiency training, please discuss this with the bike pool coordinator. 4. How the Bike Pool is Managed The bike pool is managed by the Travel Demand Management staff in Community Partnerships Team. The Bike Pool Manager is Leon Arundell, extension Bookings are made by self-service, using booking diaries (one for each bike) kept in Community Partnerships Team. The bikes are supplied and maintained by the Lonsdale St Cyclery. 5. The Bikes There are two hybrid bikes, one mountain bike and one electric-power-assisted bike Location of the Bikes The bikes are stored in a designated rack in the bike cage in the basement of the John Gorton Building. 1 National Heart Foundation: Be Active Every Day 2

5 5.2. Bike Equipment The bike pool comprises four bikes: Two silver/blue large frame Avanti Explorer hybrid bikes (top right) One matt black medium frame Avanti Montari mountain bike (bottom right) An Avanti electric-power-assisted bike (due to be delivered in September 2004) Each bike is supplied with the following equipment: Front and rear lights Frame-mounted mini pump Combination cable lock Cycle computer Water bottle holder Pannier rack and pannier bags (i.e. saddlebags) containing: Spares bag with tyre levers, patch kit and spare tube. Reflective safety vest Street directory Cycle Path Map Cabcharge voucher (for use in the event of a bike problem) First Aid kit Avanti Explorer hybrid bike Avanti Montari mountain bike We also provide helmets, water bottles and basement access passes. 6. How to Use the Bike Pool 6.1. General Bikes are recommended for work-related trips of up to 5 km each way (e.g. Parliamentary Triangle, Barton, Deakin, Kingston, Civic). Bikes must be booked in advance. Bikes are only to be used for work purposes, within the ACT, and during daylight hours. The headlight and taillight should be used in dull or overcast conditions, or if you are returning after sunset. If you need to arrive by a particular time, remember to allow yourself enough time to collect the bike, pedal to your destination, and secure the bike. As a rough guide allow 5 minutes per kilometre, plus 15 minutes. You can reduce these times if you are fit, if you already know the route, and if the weather is cool. Before booking a bike, you must know which bike is the correct size for you, and how to adjust the saddle to suit your height. Riding a bike that is too small or too large is uncomfortable, and may be dangerous. If you are not sure which bike size suits you or how to adjust the saddle height, please ask the bike pool coordinator to arrange a fitting session. A fitting session will take only a few minutes. The bikes are not fitted with skirt guards. Loose skirts may catch in the spokes if they are not tucked in. 3

6 6.2. Booking a Bike Bookings must be registered in the diaries one for each bike which are kept in the open area of Community Partnerships Team. Community Partnerships Team is located in the north-west corner of the basement of the John Gorton Building. Make sure that you write your name and contact number in the diary, on the date and times when you want to reserve the bike. Please ensure that your booking period includes the latest time you are likely to return. Otherwise you may cause the next person to miss their meeting Before you Collect the Bike Check Yourself! Avoid riding if you feel unwell. Are you wearing a loose skirt that can catch in the spokes? Check the Weather. Is it bright, dull, hot, cold, wet or windy? If rain is likely, or if it is very hot or windy, consider using alternative transport. Wear sunscreen (available from Community Partnerships Team). In bright weather, consider wearing sunglasses. In cold weather, especially if it is windy, you may need a wind-proof coat Collect the Following from the Registration Desk in Community Partnerships Team: A properly fitting helmet (or use your own helmet). You can use your Healthy Lifestyle Allowance to purchase a bicycle helmet, or other cycling equipment. The basement access pass for your bike. A filled water bottle (especially in hot weather). The name or number of the bike you have booked. The combination number of the cable lock for your bike. The combination number for the basement bike cage. 4

7 6.4. Pre-ride Three Minute Check Each time you use a staff bike, please make the following checks: Clothing and Personal Equipment: loose shoelaces tucked into shoes trouser legs tucked into socks, secured with clips, or folded up loose skirts tucked up wear the reflective safety vest that is stored in the saddlebag, especially if the weather is dull money and/or mobile phone packed into the panniers bulky items secured on the rack. Standard bike equipment: Reflective safety vest Combination cable lock Street Directory Cycle Path Map First Aid Kit (including CabCharge voucher) Spares - tyre levers - patch kit - spare tube Frame-mounted mini pump Front and rear lights (for use in dull weather and between sunset and sunrise) Cycle computer Check tyre pressures. Tyres should feel very firm to the touch. You can use the basement bike pump to check and adjust the tyre pressure. The correct pressure is written on the side wall of each tyre. Saddle at correct height; seat post tight in frame and inserted at least 5 cm into the frame. If you are using the electric bike, unplug it from the charger and check the charge level. Lift the handlebars: spin the front wheel and then apply the brakes Wheel is properly secured in forks; quick-release lever secure Wheel rotates freely without rubbing on the brakes Brakes operate smoothly and directly. Lift the seat and turn the pedals to spin the rear wheel; operate the gears and brakes Wheel is properly secured in forks; quick-release levers secure Wheels rotates freely without rubbing on the brakes Gears and brakes operate smoothly and directly 5

8 6.5. Bike Problems on the Road If the bike develops a fault that makes it impractical to continue your journey, you should either: lock the bike securely where it is or transport it to either the John Gorton Building or to the Lonsdale St Cyclery (5 Lonsdale St, Braddon, phone ) for maintenance. A CabCharge voucher is kept in the First Aid kit (in the saddle bag) for such occasions. To transport the bike, phone Canberra Cabs ( ). Tell them that you have a bike to transport, and ask for a station wagon, van or High Occupancy Vehicle. While waiting for the taxi, use the quick release lever to remove the front wheel so that the bike will fit in the vehicle. Bikes cannot be carried in ACTION buses. ACTION plans to introduce bike racks on the front of buses on some routes, in As soon as is practicable, you must: (1) inform the bike pool coordinator that the bike has a problem and of the location of the bike, and (2) complete and submit a Bike Problem Report Form that identifies the problem. Some examples of problems that might make it impractical to continue a journey are: Puncture Buckled wheel Gears not working Front or rear brake not working 6.6. Bike Repairs Repairs are normally carried out by the Lonsdale St Cyclery. Any problems or defects should be reported promptly to the bike pool coordinator on You should not attempt to repair a pool bike unless you have experience in making the repair, you have suitable tools, you have sufficient time to complete the repair, and you are wearing suitable clothing. The AGO will not cover the costs of laundry or dry cleaning resulting from unauthorised bike repairs. 6

9 6.7. Accident/Incident Procedures Staff are covered for workers compensation by AGO arrangements with Comcare, if they have an accident while using the bikes. The bikes themselves are covered for damage under the AGO s insurance arrangements through Comcover. If you are involved in an accident or incident while using an AGO bike, you should: a) Make the accident/incident scene as safe as practicable. b) If you are hurt, seek first aid treatment as soon as possible. c) If other persons are injured, obtain their names and if necessary seek first aid treatment for them. If necessary, and if you have a current First Aid qualification, consider giving First Aid yourself. d) Confirm your location (suburb, street and landmarks such as street number or nearest cross street) and call 000 if emergency services (ambulance, fire, police) are required. e) Obtain the name, address and contact details of any witnesses or other road user/s involved in the accident. f) Immediately report the incident to your line manager/supervisor. Ask your manager/supervisor to report the location and circumstances to the bike pool coordinator. g) If you are unable to bring the bike back to work with you, lock it securely. h) When you return to the AGO, complete any appropriate OH&S forms and report the location of the bike and other circumstances to the bike pool coordinator Securing the Bike The cable lock MUST be used when the bike is left unattended, even for short periods. The cable should pass through the diamond of the frame, through the front wheel and around a secure object such as a bike rail or a street sign pole. The cable should preferably also pass through the rear wheel. Quick release levers make it easy to remove the wheels for maintenance. They also make it easy for thieves to remove the wheels! The helmet may be temporarily stored in one of the pannier bags. 7

10 6.9. When you Return 1. Use the basement access pass to gain entry to the basement. 2. Return the bike to the designated bike rack in the bike cage. 3. Leave the street directory, cycle path map, safety vest and cable lock with the bike. 4. If you have used the electric bike, plug it in to recharge. 5. Return the water bottle, helmet and access pass for your bike to the registration desk in Community Partnerships Team. 6. Report any bike problems in the diary for your bike, and advise the bike pool coordinator. 7. Some General Advice on Cycling Be extra cautious in wet conditions. Bicycle brakes lose effectiveness when they are wet. Bikes are legitimate vehicles, and cyclists have rights and responsibilities like any other road user. All paths, including cycle paths are Shared Paths, used by people riding bikes, walking, pushing prams, using roller blades or riding skateboards or scooters. It is important to keep in mind that all users have legitimate rights on shared paths, but that with rights come responsibilities. One responsibility for cyclists is to give way to pedestrians. Stretch gently before and after riding especially calves and hamstrings. It s more comfortable to pack luggage on the bike or in a bum bag, rather than to carry it on your back. Low tyre pressures make it harder to push the bike along. Going over a bump with a very low tyre pressure can damage the rim and puncture the tube. When going up hills, let the gears do the work. Pedal at your normal rate using low gears, and change gears early rather than late. It can be difficult to change down if you re pushing hard on the pedals. Low gears combine small (inside) front chain rings with large (inside) rear cogs, making it easy to get up hills. High gears combine large (outside) front chain rings with small (outside) rear cogs, allowing you to travel quickly downhill and on flat ground. The most efficient pedalling speed is a little more than one complete pedal rotation per second. Racing cyclists use almost two rotations per second, for maximum power. Pushing slow and hard in high gears can strain or damage your knees. Usually (but not always) you shift to a lower gear by moving the left hand gear lever backwards, or the right hand gear lever forwards Conversely, you normally shift to a higher gear by moving the left hand lever forwards, or the right hand lever backwards. 8

11 8. Useful Contacts and References Pedal Power ACT or Road Rules ACT Road Rules Handbook: Printed copies available from ACT government shopfronts. Enjoying Safe Cycling in the ACT: ACT Department of Urban Services Phone the ACT Government Hotline 13 ACT 1 ( ) Cycling Information: Bicycle Safety: Roads ACT: Road Safety: ACT Policing Emergencies: phone 000 General Enquiries: phone