Safety And Liability
Not to sound like a broken record, but safety is no accident. The fact is, injuries while on a bicycle are increasing. This could be due to a myriad of reasons such as increased bicycle use, no bike lanes on busy roads, or distracted driving/riding by motorists and cyclists alike. Many people don’t realize that bikes must obey the same rules of the road that motorists do, because they they are entitled to the same use of the road. The link below will take you to the D.O.T.’s current rules of the road for cyclists and motorists. Be safe out there!
http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/safety/vehicle/bicycle/rules.htm
That being said, we now have a statement of liability that we may require you to sign before you ride with us. You only need to sign once for the year, but in short, it states that you ride at your own risk. We are not responsible for you should you chose not to wear a helmet or if you consume an adult beverage at any of the establishments we may stop at. The form reads as follows…
In consideration for my being permitted to participate in the activities of the Green Bay Bicycle Collective (GBBC), I agree to the following waiver and release:
ASSUMPTION OF RISK: I acknowledge that inherent risks, dangers and hazards and such exist when riding a bicycle, and other GBBC activities. Participation in such activities and/or the use of equipment associated with such events may result in injury, illness, death or damage to personal property. These risks and dangers may be caused by other participants, members or by accidents, acts of nature or other causes. Risks and dangers may arise from foreseeable or unforeseeable causes including, but not limited to electrocution, burns, impalement, injury from slips or falls, etc.
RELEASE OF LIABILITY: The participant fully assumes all risks associated with participation in events and exempts and releases GBBC, its members, officers, agents, board members, from action whatsoever arising out of any damage, loss or injury to the participant or the participant’s property while upon the premises or using any equipment of the organization or while participating in any of the activities contemplated by this agreement whether such loss, damage, or injury results from the negligence of the collective, its members, agents, or from some other cause.
COVENANT NOT TO SUE: The participant agrees never to institute any suit or action at law otherwise against GBBC, its members, officers, board members, agents, nor to initiate or any way assist the prosecution of any claim for damages or course of action which the member, member’s heirs, executors or administrators hereafter may have by reason of injury to the person of the member or to the participant’s property arising from the activities contemplated by this agreement.
THIRD PARTY INDEMNIFICATION: The member will indemnify, save and hold harmless GBBC, its members, officers, board members, or agents from any and all losses, claims, actions, or proceedings of every kind and character which may be presented or initiated by any other persons or organizations and which arise directly or indirectly from the actions of the member while engaged in the activities contemplated by this agreement.
I hereby acknowledge that I have CAREFULLY read all of the provisions above, fully understand the terms and conditions expressed there, and do freely choose acceptance of the provisions of the foregoing paragraphs relating to assumption of risk, release of liability, covenant not to sue, and third party indemnification.
A printable version can be downloaded here.
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