Bike patrols: Investigating how they could be rolled out across Scotland

Workshop Questions

• Would there be a need for the service to be rolled out across the UK / Scotland?

• If a training course, different from BC MTB Level 2 / TCL awards, were to be developed what would the essential components be?

• Should there be a minimum age for a patroller?

Who Are We?

• Voluntary group

– Reliant on personal motivations

• Experienced TCL / MBLs

• MRT personnel / MTB coaches / Doctor

• Extensive knowledge of the Tweed Valley

• Wide experience of incident response

• Constitution, committee, AGM, FB social media

Our Mission Statement

• Provide appropriate first aid and basic mechanical support to mountain bikers, as well as assisting those who may need directions. Assistance may extend to all users of the forest if patrollers are in a position to help.

• Provide support to events within the Tweed Valley (a reasonable donation to TVBP should be secured from the event organiser).

Where we came from

Carl Lane

2005

2006

1

1->6

*

Where we came from

2007AWARDS

FOR ALL

SCOTLAND

Where we came from

2009 271 patroller days, 75% at weekends95% of all weekends83% of all Sat & Suns900 patrol hours250 other hours

Only one trained person did not do at least 2 patrol days

Where we came from

2014

Our Baselines

• TCL / BC MTB Level 2

– First aid qualification requirement

– Leadership experience

– Insurance…

• Shadowing of experienced patrollers

– Knowledge of area, access points, heli sites

• At least 6 patrols & one event support a year

– Return on commitment of limited funds

Our Dependencies

• Donations

– Not a charity / business due to administrative burden

• Silverfish UK / EVOC – 12 highly visible packs

• TCJ – Discounted custom jerseys / jackets

• Caddon Creative – Emergency direction cards

• Alpine Bikes – Discounted kit replenishment

• Ian Linton Photography – PR photos

Our Dependencies

• People’s time

– Volunteers; not consistent

– Core 4/5, further 7 patrollers

• Re-launch at Tweedlove 2014

– Increased exposure of what we do

– Singletrack Magazine coverage

– 250 to 3000 Facebook likes!

– 1 new committed patroller, increase in enquiries

This was a real incident with a double fracture to the femur

Working with other Volunteers

Incidents this Year

• RTA

• Broken wrist

• Head injuries

• Lacerated forearm

• Broken collarbone

• Lost 14 year old

• Multiple mechanical fixes

Social Media Advice / Lessons

• Weather forecasts

• Injuries

• Trail updates / conditions

• Text ‘Register’ to 999

– Allows a text to be sent if minimal mobile reception

• Stay Safe app - http://www.staysafeapp.com

– Patrollers set up TVBP as an emergency contact

Social Media Advice / Lessons

• GB Converter app

– Quick & accurate 10 figure GR

– Reliant on some form of signal

• ICE…

– Smartphone locks prevent access to contacts

– Ride iD app creates a lock screen

Any Questions?

Workshop Questions

• Is there a need for the service to be rolled out across the UK / Scotland?

• If a training course, different from BC MTB Level 2 / TCL awards, were to be developed what would the essential components be?

• Should there be a minimum age for a patroller?