Provincial Club
Cycling BC’s affiliated clubs are integral to the well-being of the cycling community and offer a supportive environment for people with a shared interest in cycling. Clubs are typically non-profit groups that aim to organize cycling events for their members. They have open memberships and are owned by their members. Individuals must have a Cycling BC membership to become a member of a club.
Club Affiliation Benefits
- Official recognition of provincial club name to be on race licences and results & the right for club members to participate and compete in club kit
- Access to insurance coverage for events, volunteers, directors, and members
- Recognition and promotion on Cycling BC’s website, social media, and newsletters
- A direct link to the largest group of organized and active cyclists in the province
- Eligibility for sport grants and funding opportunities
- Training and educational opportunities organized by Cycling BC
- Event support including assistance with insurance certificates and event marketing
Club Requirements
- Cycling BC recommends that clubs be registered as a not-for-profit society and have a minimum of three board members, a set of by-laws, and a constitution. Cycling BC can assist with templates to get you started.
- All board members must have a Cycling BC membership in good standing.
- All club members must have a Cycling BC membership in good standing.
- All technical staff (e.g. team managers, coaches, chaperones, etc) must have a UCI technical license.
- All club activities be registered and approved by Cycling BC. This is a condition of the general liability insurance coverage.
1. Can you provide information on the insurance coverage that clubs receive?
GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE
Cycling clubs and teams affiliated with Cycling BC are protected by the Cycling BC General Liability insurance. This insurance covers the legal responsibility of the club or team if it is alleged to have caused bodily injury or property damage to a third party during a sanctioned Cycling BC event, including club group rides.
Individually, club members—when they register for a Cycling BC licence—are also protected with General Liability insurance during their participation in Cycling BC-affiliated club events and activities. Cycling BC licence-holders are also covered by Cycling BC’s Ride Accident insurance policy covering medical costs for injuries sustained while riding a bike anywhere in Canada or the contiguous United States. Please note that only treatment conducted in Canada is covered. Members should obtain Travel Insurance for out-of-country medical expenses.
**** OPTIONAL ADD-ON FOR CLUBS/TEAMS ****: DIRECTOR’S and OFFICER’S LIABILITY INSURANCE
For clubs to cover their board of directors against potential legal claims.
- If you requested Director’s and Officer’s Insurance during your application, please download and complete this application form and email it to ben@cyclingbc.net. We will connect you with our insurance broker to streamline your application.
For a summary of the insurance program covering our members, click here.
2. When is the General Liability insurance valid?
The General Liability insurance is valid during participation in registered/approved club activities and sanctioned Cycling BC events. It is the responsibility of both the club and individual members to ensure the scheduled activity or event has been registered/approved by Cycling BC.
3. What type of insurance is included with a Technical Licence?
The insurance provided is the same as in Question 1, but while working in a technical capacity for the affiliated Club. Some technical licences require certification i.e. NCCP, Provincial C Commissaire and require a Code of Conduct to be signed.
Cycling BC members fulfilling a role of leadership at any registered/sanctioned Cycling BC activity must hold the relevant UCI Technical Licence to access the General Liability insurance coverage.
Use the Cycling BC Accreditation Management System to complete SafeSport, education, and role-specific requirements for a UCI Technical Licence. All UCI Technical License holders are listed on Cycling BC’s Accreditation Registry.
4. How do I report a medical/insurance claim?
If an accident occurs while participating in a club activity, a club member has 30 days to report an injury. Ride leaders, instructors, and coaches are expected to submit accident reports within 1-7 days, depending on the severity of the accident.
The first step in the process is submitting an Accident Report Form to Cycling BC. Visit cyclingbc.net/accident to complete the form.
5. Are bicycles and riding equipment of a rider covered?
Personal belongings of members are NOT covered.
REGISTERING YOUR CLUB RIDES:
Please make sure to submit and get approval for your club’s group activities using the Registered Club Activity Form before beginning any club activities. It’s mandatory to have Cycling BC keep a record of these activities as it is a requirement of the general liability insurance policy for club activities.
CERTIFICATES of INSURANCE (COI):
Events or activities requiring a Certificate of Insurance must be submitted with at least 14 days notice.
TECHNICAL LICENCES:
All club ride leaders, instructors, coaches, and technical staff must hold a UCI Technical Licence as it relates to their leadership role in the club as detailed in Cycling BC’s SafeSport and Coach Excellence policy (cyclingbc.net/ssce-policy).
NON-CLUB MEMBERS:
Prospective club members who do not hold a Cycling BC licence may participate in a maximum of two club group rides within British Columbia and must sign the Cycling BC waiver—any subsequent participation by the rider will require a Cycling BC membership licence.
- To streamline this process for these prospective club members and reduce liability exposure to the club, Cycling BC encourages clubs to use our new club template, integrating the waiver into your system. Schedule a call with a Cycling BC team member to help get the club up and running quickly.
CYCLING BC SUPPORT:
To support your club’s development, Cycling BC offers administrative support for clubs. Contact ben@cyclingbc.net to schedule a call and set the club up for success this season.
Although it may seem simple to gather friends and create your own club, it is recommended that aspiring club leaders follow the guidelines outlined in Cycling BC’s ‘How to start a cycling club‘ guide. This will ensure that their club adheres to best practices and can benefit from the coverage provided by Cycling BC’s general liability insurance policy.
Cycling BC recognizes that youth-focused clubs require an additional emphasis on safety, skills training and long-term development (LTD) therefore we have provided a separate set of guidelines for these groups in Part 2 of the guide.