Please keep checking this page for the latest information and updates. This notice was added at 25th March 2009
The Yorkshire Region of the GoldWing Owner’s Club of Great Britain presents this Risk Assessment relating to the Scarborough GoldWing Light Parade and Static Displays to be staged on Friday 11th and Saturday 12th September 2009. Please check for updates to these safety notes up to 10th September 2009 at www.goldwing-light-parade.co.uk
During this weekend event every rider or participant has a duty of care towards himself or herself and to all pedestrians and other road users. Participants should ensure that his or her motorcycle meets current UK legal requirements and that it is in good roadworthy condition. The rider must also hold a current driver’s licence and meet all other legal requirements to ride the machine he or she is operating at this club event. It is important to register your bike at one of the inscription points when you arrive.
To take part in this event, you must sign to confirm you have read and understood this Important Safety Notice statement. Those who do not inscribe nor display the official sticker will be asked to remove their motorcycles from the designated display areas. GWOCGB and the Yorkshire Region cannot be held responsible for any loss, damage, accident or injury to riders, passengers, or their motorcycles whilst participating in this event.
Volunteers will marshall the static displays and the light parade, so participants must follow instructions from marshalls at all times. Remember, the marshalls are there to make the event run safely and smoothly so riders are obliged to follow their instructions.
The static evening display on site at Cayton Bay on Friday 11th September 2009 is for the benefit of guests on site and also serves to choose the best illuminated goldwings. Prizes for the prettiest lit GoldWings will be awarded later that evening and further details and appropriate safety notes will be added here as they become available.
Entrance to the Static Display area is by riding along the front of the site shop. This shop closes at 8pm so should not pose a problem for bikes. We will however place marshalls at the entrance and exit to the area.
The Static area itself also should not cause a problem the footpath leading to the bar areas will have marshalls down the side so members of the public will be told where to walk. Any person displaying their bike for the Static Light Show and who needs to leave their engine running will not be covered by the public liability insurance and they must not leave their machine unattended if the engine is running otherwise you may be asked to remove it from the display.
The static display in Foreshore Road and the West Pier Car Park will take place from 9.30 am until 5.00 pm on Saturday 12th September 2009. All motorcycles should have left the static display areas by 5.15 pm as marshalling here will cease at this time.
West Pier Car Park will be well marshalled and the entrance and exit are controlled by traffic lights with a pelican crossing. We will have marshalls at either side to warn pedestrians of moving vehicles even though it is a pelican crossing. On entering this car park there are public toilets on the left hand side so care must be taken when passing. Also traders’ vehicles will be parked on the right hand side of the car park when entering, so again care should be taken when driving past.
Our experience has shown that a static display of motorcycles is no more hazardous than normally parking motorbikes anywhere else or at any other time. However all owners are requested to park their bikes in a safe and stable manner as advised by a marshall and solo motorcycles should be parked on centre stands for greater stability where practical.
Extra care is required when maneuvering bikes in the specified parking areas and motorcycles shall be parked neatly in the designated areas and should not cause an obstruction to roadways or pedestrian walkways. All keys and ignition keys should be completely removed from the bike as a specific condition of the club’s public liability insurance policy.
A large percentage of the general public normally presents no problems at static displays and is content just to look without touching. However there are always some exceptions to the rule so marshalls and owners should be aware of this and should actively discourage members of the public, especially children, from touching the bikes or climbing on them.
Our marshalls shall patrol the display areas to remind the public that touching the bikes is not permitted, but participants should be aware that ultimately it’s the owners’ responsibility for the safety and security of their own machine.
Owners of displayed bikes are also asked to discourage anyone from mounting or interfering with their own or any of the other bikes on display. If you allow people or children to touch or to sit on your bike then this will be expressly at your own personal risk.
Mayor’s Favourite Bike
The Mayor of Scarborough will be judging his favourite bike and trike and will be asked to select only GoldWings or GoldWing three wheeled vehicles. If the winning owners are present, the Mayor will also present prizes.
More pedestrians, including children, may be wandering among the bikes to view them at this time, so once again riders should ensure that their motorcycles are secure and safe.
Scarborough’s Traffic & Pedestrians
Traffic along Burniston Road, Peasholm Gap, Royal Albert Drive, Marine Drive, Sandside, Foreshore Road and Pier 28 Car Park is reasonably busy at this time of year. Pedestrians and young children are always walking in the areas where we shall be staging our static displays and evening parade, therefore all riders should take great care in respect of pedestrians, excited children and other road users, when maneuvering their motorbikes in these areas. Marshalls will be there for assistance and may direct bikes to specific areas. Once again, participants must follow the instructions given by marshalls.
During the event all members are requested to act responsibly and be courteous to members of the public at all times as this reflects the constitution of our club, which is to promote friendliness and camaraderie.
There is strictly no overtaking once the parade has started The Light Parade will start about 8.00pm on Saturday 12th September 2009 and should end approximately 20 to 30 minutes later back at the start point
Mustering Point
The mustering point for the evening parade is the Burniston Road Car Park on the A165 Burniston Road north of Scarborough and just south of Strensall Drive. Riders should note that the car park operates a one-way system for entry and exit. Mustering commences at 6.30pm ready for the start of the parade at 8.00pm. Those riders attending only the evening parade must arrive early and register their bikes at inscription which can be found near the entrance to the car park, because only bikes displaying the registration sticker will be allowed into the mustering area to be covered by our club’s public liability insurance. Please ensure you follow the instructions of our marshalls.
This car park has a good flat tarmac surface … solo machines should be left on their centre stands for maximum stability. The safety notes also apply to this mustering area, as the gathering of our motorcycles is always likely to attract members of the public and therefore great care should be taken when moving your bikes.
The parade requires us to ride two abreast in the usual staggered formation we adopt for club rides out.† With this in mind, riders will be directed into twos near the exit area of the car park, so if you wish to ride alongside a friend, then please arrive together and stay together as once the parade begins moving, there will be no time or space for “hanging back” near the exit and all riders will be immediately directed out of the car park at this point. There is strictly no overtaking once the parade has started.
Riders should also exercise great caution when they form into pairs at the exit so they avoid the risk of collision with other bikes as they make the first turn to the left. Remember once your key is in the bike or when you are on the move, you are displaying and riding on your own insurance policy.
Participants should note the parade turns left as it exits the car park and then first left at the roundabout into Peasholm Gap. From here the parade has quite a simple straight-ahead route along Scarborough’s promenade with the sea to our left until we reach the roundabout at the end of Foreshore Road where the parade doubles back and travels exactly the same route back to the mustering point where the event will finish.
Speed Limits
The Mayor of Scarborough will be riding as passenger on a trike at the head of the parade, therefore the leading trike will set and govern the parade speed limit, but in any case all other riders and marshalls should keep well within the legal limits for each stretch of road and we recommend a constant speed of around 10 mph throughout the parade. Remember there is strictly no overtaking once the parade has started.
Riders should try to keep up with those in front and adjust to a uniform speed and distance, which should ensure that the parade becomes what is termed as “self-policing”, that is where other road users and pedestrians will not normally have the opportunity to nor attempt to break up the parade. A constant moving uniform parade ensures improved safety for all participants and sightseers.
As we do not have an official road closure for the parade, riders should observe and obey all road signs, traffic signals and delegated marshalls, who will direct the parade where necessary.
There is no guarantee that other traffic or road users will hang back to allow the parade to pass by and some may even want to force their way into the parade, so please act sensibly and safely by keeping a watchful eye for such motorists in order to avoid the possibility of a collision.
The parade will have to stop in Foreshore Road, when the traffic lights show red. Don't worry about this, as the parade ahead will slow down for you to catch up. This worked to the advantage of sightseers last year, who were able to take photographs of the bikes as they stood at the traffic lights. DO NOT SPEED OFF from the traffic lights, this could be very dangerous Accelerate away slowly to avoid accidents in this very busy area ... you will soon catch up with the parade.
If there is rain during or before the parade, extra care should be taken especially on the exposed coastal roads of Royal Albert Drive and Marine Drive where sections of the road surface are constructed of cobbles. Always allow a safe distance between you and the rider in front. †Never overtake in this parade and always be aware of the rider in front who may stop without warning.
The closeness of sightseers and children to the edge of the kerb will present a real hazard so riders should be vigilant at all times during the parade. Watch out for people stepping off the kerb and for children who may not be properly supervised by their parents or guardians. There may also be the possibility that drunken adults or overenthusiastic teenagers may wander into the road too, so once on the move, you must remain extra vigilant.
Sandside and Foreshore Road are the likely hot spots to watch for people and other traffic hazards, as these are the main attraction areas with restaurants, shops and amusement arcades where larger numbers of people congregate.
Safety is paramount throughout this parade therefore riders must always be prepared to slow down or stop for anything they see as a potential hazard or to avoid a collision.
As the parade doubles back on itself at the roundabout at end of Foreshore Road, the lead bikes will get a good view of the parade as it approaches in the opposite direction and visa versa.† This may present a distraction to riders who have never participated in such an event before, so all riders are reminded that even greater care should be taken when meeting other participants in the parade coming in the opposite direction.
Do not wave at your friends coming in the other direction, please leave that to your pillion passenger. Riders must keep both hands on the handlebars at all times and employ maximum concentration in their lookout for people and hazards. This is even more important if the roads are wet or if it is raining.† If riders spot a hazard, then they should sound their horns in several short blasts to warn other riders following.
Finally, we are in Scarborough to present an attraction to holidaymakers and as such we should all be able to enjoy the event in relative safety. Riders’ consideration, vigilance and alertness will make this possible.
Your bike’s show lights, sirens and other amplified equipment may only be used during the parade. When you arrive back at the mustering point all show lights and sirens must be turned off. The North Yorkshire Constabulary has specifically asked GWOCGB to relay this information to all riders as show lights and sirens will not be tolerated after the parade has ended, and therefore offenders may be prosecuted.
IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT
Since behaviour is a key factor in causing accidents, it is important to raise awareness of safe behaviour in order to reduce such accidents. Whilst a lot of good points are mentioned here in these notes riders should be aware that accidents are linked to riding and driving behaviour. So initially, allow a safe distance between you and the rider in front. Never overtake in a parade and always be aware of the rider in front who may stop without warning.
Do not ride alongside another biker unless when coming to a stop, but adopt a position using the rider in front as a guide where your machine is to the right or left and a safe distance behind, but still within the carriageway you are travelling in. This gives you extra stopping distance in the event of an emergency as you are now likely to run along side the bike in front, rather than into the back of it.
In the unfortunate event of an accident, there is no correct single plan of action. The way to achieve best care for those involved is to:
Try to stay calm and collected.
Obtain skilled help as soon as possible.
If there are injuries, call an ambulance if necessary.
Never place yourself or other people in danger in order to do this.
If you delegate someone else to go and summon help ask him or her to come back and tell you when he or she has made contact.
If you talk to the emergency services yourself … give them a rough indication of how many casualties there are and how many seem seriously injured.
Assuming that help is on its way, your primary aim must again be safety.
If you are not skilled or not confident, realise your limits.
Do not move victims with possible neck or back injuries … wait for help.
It's probably better not to administer first aid yourself even if you are qualified to do so. Make sure that those walking injured are safely directed away from the scene.
Ensure that damaged vehicles do not cause a traffic hazard or interfere with the circulation of other road users.
Ask someone to contact a marshall who should attend to assist directing those following riders and drivers who are not involved in the accident, around the scene.
When the site is safe and professional emergency services personnel are on the scene, then call the event organisers to inform them of the accident.
It is impossible to advocate plans of specific action, as the variety of problems seen at road traffic accidents is so great.
In the event that the route is closed for any reason, then please follow direction of the parade which will be led by a marshall.
Risk Assessment prepared by the Yorkshire Region of GWOCGB.
It is vitally important that all riders and participants read these notes, as a condition of GWOCGB's PLI cover.
If anyone can add information deemed to be important, or if you think there may be omitted or overlooked safety aspects, please contact the Webmaster with your views.
A printable PDF file of these notes is attached so that you can download and print them if required. Please be aware that changes in these notes may occur up to the 10th September 2009.
Membership of GWOCGB
The Club full membership is open to anyone who owns or rides any of the GoldWing models. The yearly subscription, renewable each January, includes a monthly magazine 'WingSpan', affiliation to GWEF (GoldWing European Federation), MAG (Motorcycle Action Group) and BMF (British Motorcyclists Federation), UK and European Help Guides along with access to a whole calendar of social activities. The aim of the Club is to encourage friendship between fellow riders and to promote a positive image of motorcycling. Once you're a member, there's lots to do and it's up to you to get involved in as little or as much as you wish
Please be aware of cobbled road sections along Marine Drive