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Wanted: Risk assessment expertise
We're trying to assist some local riders trying to keep their unofficial Dirt Jump facility. One of the local councils is very keen to come to the party, but one of the issues they face is getting their insurer to come to the party with them.
What is driving the insurers reluctance is a lack of data. They've been reminded that skate parks share many of the same attributes (steep drops, gap jumps, hard edges etc) which has opened the door (was slammed fast shut initially) but we're hoping that there will be someone in the riding community with risk assessment or actuarial experience that can help the underwriters work out how to say "yes" without blowing the Council's annual public liabiity premium budget.
I don't know enough about the way the process works but I'm expecting some sort of claims experience data would be what they're looking for, or to be pointed in the right direction for a parallel activity (maybe something in the snowboarding arena). Alternatively, given that the NZ government provides universal accident cover, some clues and contacts on how to access their claims experience data would be very welcome.
If this is something you can help with, would love to hear from you via PM.
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The Blue Mountains City Council has an existing Dirt Jump Policy that may be of assistance.
bmorc.com/node/20259
The above link is to the BMORC links. But i couldnt see the link to the PDF from my iPhone. I know it is available on the council website also.
I also found this in a past conversation, may be of use.
Tell them it's a skate park.... They seem to go through with no issues.
The "Extreme dirt park" facility At San Remo has been running for around 10 year so point them in that direction to ask Wyong council for facts and figures http://www.activities4kids.com.au/Activities/Wyo...
I know the guys at http://www.dirtz.com.au/ have built a bunch of council run "dirt parks" around the country so it might be worth getting them involved
The council need to realize why more people are using the unofficial DJ park (Freedom) rather then the Official Park (Grove).
1.Riders love to build and tweak their Jumps to form a perfect line, it may take years
2.Building is half the fun
3.Generic Jumps are not what they are after
Location has to be right (easy to ride too)
The Grove has a long way to go before it again will become popular by riders, see above reasons 1,2 and 3
http://youtu.be/s60OKKIXYTg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirt_jumping
http://www.imba.com/resources/freeriding/18-step...
As far as risk goes, with any skatepark there is risk, they need to install a sign with recommended safety gear, ride within your limits and at your own risk etc, in order to negate any potential litigation.
If possible where there is a gap, it should be safely signposted.
If there are more difficult lines than otheres they should signposted as such.
That's one thing that is good in the Blue Mountains strategy, council don't want to build them, they just want the people to use the defined area and respect the existing builders rights.
I always think of the council jumps at Mortdale where there used to be a good DJ site that TBSM used for jump days, council have now made it a series of parabolic rolls and of course you rarely see anyone ever there because it is useless, but it is safe.
Heres an example risk assessment for safety and a bit of enviromental risk for a Jump/Pump track design, build and maintain:
http://www.rotorburn.com/forums/showthread.php?230659-Example-Safe-Work-Method-Statement-(JSA)-for-Design-and-Build-of-Jump-Pump-Track&p=2425642#post2425642
whats going on?
someone told me there is something in the manly daily?
says they are putting heavy black plastic around the site? I think page 7
Did they contact a mtb rep?
http://digitaledition.manlydaily.com.au/#folio=007
that the council is fencing off the site next week. Wrong. Its been fenced off today in the rain, very sneaky!
Big metal fence at entrance, and orange plastic contruction mesh littered throughout the jumps.
Henry Wong up to his tricks again. Since when do bike related injuries get reported to council? I smell a fish.
Its so simple, all they needed to do was put up a sign saying "Ride at your risk" then work with riders and IMBA to rework the park to advanced dj standard.
Did they not learn anything from the Grove debarkle?
Now that that has been fenced off, where will they build next?
post a comment here: http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/news/story/...