Creating a new cycle club

Oaf said:

Hello,

A few friends & I regularly go out for a cycle on a Sunday morning.
Recently (down the pub), we were talking about making our gathering a
bit more "formal" and forning a cycle club. As we don't really know
what we need to *legally* do, I just wondered whether anyone has any
knowledge of the subject.

I've had a look on the British Cycling website and note that as a club
we could pay a fee to get the benefit of their insurance cover... is
there any other organisations that we need to look at?

Thanks for any information.

Oaf

Why make it complicated?

Just decide on a name for your group and set up a website or a yahoo
group to record the ride routes and start times, photos etc etc.

If you want club kit, then ask for a volunteer to coordinate betwen a
supplier and the group members for design and payment etc.

If you want to benefit from BC insurance then drop them an email and
ask them for the qualifying criteria.

HTH

--
Nige Danton

"Oaf" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello,

A few friends & I regularly go out for a cycle on a Sunday
morning.
Recently (down the pub), we were talking about making our
gathering a
bit more "formal" and forning a cycle club. As we don't really
know
what we need to *legally* do, I just wondered whether anyone
has any
knowledge of the subject.

Not much - but I believe you would need, as a bare minimum:

1. A constitution.

This should state the aims of the club, and include any policies
such as equal opportunities or membership restrictions and the
like. If you will be looking for funds from other bodies, they
may require particular statements in your constitution.

2. A committee

The Club constitution will define how the committee is formed. As
a minimum, you should have a treasurer, secretary, and a
chairman.

3. Properly kept accounts and minutes of committee meetings.

Depending on how big the club becomes, your accounts will need to
be scrutinised or audited by an independent person.

4. Annual General Meetings.

The first AGM will need to elect or appoint the committee and
agree the constitution.

That's a few basics - good luck with your club!

--
MatSav

"Oaf" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello,

A few friends & I regularly go out for a cycle on a Sunday morning.
Recently (down the pub), we were talking about making our gathering a
bit more "formal" and forning a cycle club. As we don't really know
what we need to *legally* do, I just wondered whether anyone has any
knowledge of the subject.

I've had a look on the British Cycling website and note that as a club
we could pay a fee to get the benefit of their insurance cover... is
there any other organisations that we need to look at?

Thanks for any information.

Oaf

If you want to do organised time trials & you're in England or Wales, then
you need to affiliate to the CTT, which is the governing body of time trials
in both places, and it is only members of affilated clubs that can take part
in them (unless it's a come-and-try-it event)

http://www.ctt.org.uk/

You don't have to have a racing licence to do CTT time trials.

Oaf said:

Hello,

A few friends & I regularly go out for a cycle on a Sunday morning.
Recently (down the pub), we were talking about making our gathering a
bit more "formal" and forning a cycle club. As we don't really know
what we need to *legally* do, I just wondered whether anyone has any
knowledge of the subject.

I've had a look on the British Cycling website and note that as a club
we could pay a fee to get the benefit of their insurance cover... is
there any other organisations that we need to look at?

Thanks for any information.

Oaf

You don't /need/ any formalities to start any sort of club.
A bunch of people who get on well together and have a T-shirt
with [insert name of club here] may be better off without a
constitution and bank account. (I speak from experience :
Constitutions are poison - If you need one for some official
purpose then make it up and back date it to 1977.)

This works well for a 'bunch of pals' where everyone take responsibility
for making things happening. However if you have a couple of people who
will make 'good officers' and lots of others who want to enjoy the benefits
without doing the work then copy somebody else's constitution.
Before you know it there are child protection and non-discrimination policies
and utter [censored] and yards of red tape. Copy one and put it away and forget
about it for most of the time.

If you're 'organising' things then you have to take your responsibilities as an organiser
seriously. A route along the M1 may not work out as pleasant as riders expected!
I'm sure you can see where this is leading... ...so find out what sort of club you want to
be, then contact the appropriate federation and ask their local/regional representative
for advice. Most national bodies are federations (ie each club is independent) but the
CTC is organised on a branch basis(so probably not what you're looking for).

--
Peter Fox
Beer, dancing, cycling and lots more at www.eminent.demon.co.uk

in message <[email hidden]>, Oaf

(') said:

A few friends & I regularly go out for a cycle on a Sunday morning.
Recently (down the pub), we were talking about making our gathering a
bit more "formal" and forning a cycle club. As we don't really know
what we need to *legally* do, I just wondered whether anyone has any
knowledge of the subject.

I did this four years ago. http://www.stewartry-wheelers.org/

Legally you don't need to do anything, just get out and ride. However, if
you want to ride in open events in your club strip, you need to affiliate
to British Cycling.

Quoted message said:

I've had a look on the British Cycling website and note that as a club
we could pay a fee to get the benefit of their insurance cover... is
there any other organisations that we need to look at?

There is also The League International, which costs less; or the CTC, which
is less sports oriented. However I'd strongly advise you to affiliate with
British Cycling if in England or Wales, or Scottish Cycling if in
Scotland.

Whichever body you choose to affiliate to will be able to give you a draft
constitution which sorts out all the legalities.

A word of advice. When we set up our club, there was a rush of enthusiasm
and three local businesses volunteered to sponsor the club on a verbal
agreement. That has been a disaster; only one of the three sponsors
remains a sponsor, and the unravelling of the other two have been
uncomfortable. The body you affiliate to will charge you extra - I think
about £80 - for each sponsor you have, so unless you are offered
particularly generous sponsorship I would say 'thanks but no thanks', and
even if you are good friends with the sponsor I would get a written
commitment for at least three years.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/
;; We don't just borrow words; on occasion, English has pursued other
;; languages down alleyways to beat them unconscious and riffle their
;; pockets for new vocabulary -- James D. Nicoll

In article <[email hidden]>, Oaf
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Hello,

A few friends & I regularly go out for a cycle on a Sunday morning.
Recently (down the pub), we were talking about making our gathering a
bit more "formal" and forning a cycle club. As we don't really know
what we need to *legally* do, I just wondered whether anyone has any
knowledge of the subject.

I've had a look on the British Cycling website and note that as a club
we could pay a fee to get the benefit of their insurance cover... is
there any other organisations that we need to look at?

If all you're doing is going out on Sunday runs you could become
affiliated to the CTC.
In order to count as a club you'll need a committee, a constitution and
a paid-up membership. The committee normally consists of chairman,
secretary and treasurer. The constitution states the name and purpose
of the club, rights and requirements of membership, duties of committee
members, the procedure by which committee members are elected and new
committee positions are created, provision for General Meetings
including the AGM. The Constitution often references a separate Rules
of Conduct document. There should be a method for members to change the
Constitution or appeal Committee decisions including the quorum required
to call an Extraordinary General Meeting and the majority required to
vote in a change.
If you want to organise competitions then you'll need to affiliate to
the relevant organisation.

Oaf said:

Hello,

A few friends & I regularly go out for a cycle on a Sunday morning.
Recently (down the pub), we were talking about making our gathering a
bit more "formal" and forning a cycle club. As we don't really know
what we need to *legally* do, I just wondered whether anyone has any
knowledge of the subject.

I've had a look on the British Cycling website and note that as a club
we could pay a fee to get the benefit of their insurance cover... is
there any other organisations that we need to look at?

There are, in my view, three reasons to form a formal club rather than stay
as a "bunch of mates out for a ride".

a) protection from litigation. If the club were affiliated to one of the
bigger cycle organisations (British Cyclings, CTC, etc), then they have
insurance for third party liability which extends to group leaders. Thus,
should there be an accident, the leader is insured against the legal
vultures.

b) because the group of mates is too big to organise.

c) because you want to do something competitive, and need to join the
relevant competitive body.

Keep any rules minimal but clear. Avoid ambiguity. Avoid lots of ifs/buts.
Keep finances low unless you are very serious about competition (when you
need money).

Be aware that just forming a club doesn't avoid legal liabilities falling on
individuals, it can actually spread it to all club members.

On the whole, clubs are not legal bodies (unlike a limited company or a
charity), so cannot be sued or enter into various legal agreements. Instead
individuals do so and carry the risks.
Forming a limited company is a big step, and I advise against (being
director of one, I have a clue of the paper work).
I doubt you'd get a new local cycle club past the charity commissioners
these days, so that option is ruled out.

Assuming you want a club, then if its competitive riding, then probably
British Cycling.
If its just a ride (even if fast), then start at the CTC.

It might be as easy to affiliate/merge/incorporate within another existing
club/body - just become "The Sunday down pub ride group" within that
organisation. That avoids any major work on your part.

- Nigel

--
Nigel Cliffe,
Webmaster at http://www.2mm.org.uk/

"Peter Fox" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Oaf said:

Hello,

A few friends & I regularly go out for a cycle on a Sunday morning.
Recently (down the pub), we were talking about making our gathering a
bit more "formal" and forning a cycle club. As we don't really know
what we need to *legally* do, I just wondered whether anyone has any
knowledge of the subject.

I've had a look on the British Cycling website and note that as a club
we could pay a fee to get the benefit of their insurance cover... is
there any other organisations that we need to look at?

Thanks for any information.

Oaf

You don't /need/ any formalities to start any sort of club.
A bunch of people who get on well together and have a T-shirt
with [insert name of club here] may be better off without a
constitution and bank account. (I speak from experience :
Constitutions are poison - If you need one for some official
purpose then make it up and back date it to 1977.)

This works well for a 'bunch of pals' where everyone take responsibility
for making things happening. However if you have a couple of people who
will make 'good officers' and lots of others who want to enjoy the benefits
without doing the work then copy somebody else's constitution.
Before you know it there are child protection and non-discrimination
policies
and utter [censored] and yards of red tape. Copy one and put it away and
forget
about it for most of the time.

If you're 'organising' things then you have to take your responsibilities as
an organiser seriously. A route along the M1 may not work out as pleasant
as riders expected!
I'm sure you can see where this is leading... ...so find out what sort of
club you want to be, then contact the appropriate federation and ask their
local/regional representative for advice. Most national bodies are
federations (ie each club is independent) but the CTC is organised on a
branch basis(so probably not what you're looking for).

Quoted message said:

Peter Fox
Beer, dancing, cycling and lots more at www.eminent.demon.co.uk

For goodness sake don't get involved with the CTC as an itinerant "pals club".
You will be automatically dumped into some local club with whom you have no
connection at all. ( called a DA -- whatever that means) As a solo cyclist I
found that my membership of CTC was tied totally to such a "DA" with whom I
had no contact , connection or intent to connect at all.
CTC refused to delete my connection with that local DA -- which is why since
31 October 2007 I am no longer a member.

Their various insurances policies ( bike and travel) for individuals are
expensive too -- so goodness knows what they would try to lumber your "club"
with!

Or perhaps you could ask the unelected Mr Snow -- "cycling is too
dangerous" --- President of CTC for advice

--
Trevor A Panther
In South Yorkshire,
England, United Kingdom.
www.tapan.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

"Peter Fox" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Oaf said:

Hello,

A few friends & I regularly go out for a cycle on a Sunday morning.
Recently (down the pub), we were talking about making our gathering a
bit more "formal" and forning a cycle club. As we don't really know
what we need to *legally* do, I just wondered whether anyone has any
knowledge of the subject.

I've had a look on the British Cycling website and note that as a club
we could pay a fee to get the benefit of their insurance cover... is
there any other organisations that we need to look at?

Thanks for any information.

Oaf

You don't /need/ any formalities to start any sort of club.
A bunch of people who get on well together and have a T-shirt
with [insert name of club here] may be better off without a
constitution and bank account. (I speak from experience :
Constitutions are poison - If you need one for some official
purpose then make it up and back date it to 1977.)

This works well for a 'bunch of pals' where everyone take responsibility
for making things happening. However if you have a couple of people who
will make 'good officers' and lots of others who want to enjoy the benefits
without doing the work then copy somebody else's constitution.
Before you know it there are child protection and non-discrimination
policies
and utter [censored] and yards of red tape. Copy one and put it away and
forget
about it for most of the time.

If you're 'organising' things then you have to take your responsibilities as
an organiser seriously. A route along the M1 may not work out as pleasant
as riders expected!
I'm sure you can see where this is leading... ...so find out what sort of
club you want to be, then contact the appropriate federation and ask their
local/regional representative for advice. Most national bodies are
federations (ie each club is independent) but the CTC is organised on a
branch basis(so probably not what you're looking for).

Quoted message said:

Peter Fox
Beer, dancing, cycling and lots more at www.eminent.demon.co.uk

For goodness sake don't get involved with the CTC as an itinerant "pals club".
You will be automatically dumped into some local club with whom you have no
connection at all. ( called a DA -- whatever that means) As a solo cyclist I
found that my membership of CTC was tied totally to such a "DA" with whom I
had no contact , connection or intent to connect at all.
CTC refused to delete my connection with that local DA -- which is why since
31 October 2007 I am no longer a member.

Their various insurances policies ( bike and travel) for individuals are
expensive too -- so goodness knows what they would try to lumber your "club"
with!

Or perhaps you could ask the unelected Mr Snow -- "cycling is too
dangerous" --- President of CTC for advice

--
Trevor A Panther
In South Yorkshire,
England, United Kingdom.
www.tapan.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

x-no-archive: On 10 Nov, 18:15, "Trevor A Panther"

Quoted message said:

For goodness sake don't get involved with the CTC as an itinerant "pals club".
You will be automatically dumped into some local club with whom you have no
connection at all. ( called a DA -- whatever that means) As a solo cyclist I
found that my membership of CTC was tied totally to such a "DA" with whomI
had no contact , connection or intent to connect at all.
CTC refused to delete my connection with that local DA -- which is why since
31 October 2007 I am no longer a member.

Their various insurances policies ( bike and travel) for individuals are
expensive too -- so goodness knows what they would try to lumber your "club"
with!

Or perhaps you could ask the unelected Mr Snow -- "cycling is too
dangerous" --- President of CTC for advice

All points seconded. If you also ride motorcycles note that the CTC
will be actively campaigning against you.

Also they pretend to have a shop when all it really is is a 10%
discount voucher from Evans online store.

Finally, third party liability cover is included within home
insurance, so by buying ctc membership, you are only being covered
from say £2million to £10 million. I do not think they explain that
when they describe the members benefits.

x-no-archive: On 10 Nov, 18:15, "Trevor A Panther"

Quoted message said:

For goodness sake don't get involved with the CTC as an itinerant "pals club".
You will be automatically dumped into some local club with whom you have no
connection at all. ( called a DA -- whatever that means) As a solo cyclist I
found that my membership of CTC was tied totally to such a "DA" with whomI
had no contact , connection or intent to connect at all.
CTC refused to delete my connection with that local DA -- which is why since
31 October 2007 I am no longer a member.

Their various insurances policies ( bike and travel) for individuals are
expensive too -- so goodness knows what they would try to lumber your "club"
with!

Or perhaps you could ask the unelected Mr Snow -- "cycling is too
dangerous" --- President of CTC for advice

All points seconded. If you also ride motorcycles note that the CTC
will be actively campaigning against you.

Also they pretend to have a shop when all it really is is a 10%
discount voucher from Evans online store.

Finally, third party liability cover is included within home
insurance, so by buying ctc membership, you are only being covered
from say £2million to £10 million. I do not think they explain that
when they describe the members benefits.

In article said:

For goodness sake don't get involved with the CTC as an itinerant "pals club".
You will be automatically dumped into some local club with whom you have no
connection at all. ( called a DA -- whatever that means)

District Association, at a guess which Google backs up as plausible.

In article said:

For goodness sake don't get involved with the CTC as an itinerant "pals club".
You will be automatically dumped into some local club with whom you have no
connection at all. ( called a DA -- whatever that means)

District Association, at a guess which Google backs up as plausible.

"Trevor A Panther" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

For goodness sake don't get involved with the CTC as an itinerant "pals
club". You will be automatically dumped into some local club with whom you
have no connection at all. ( called a DA -- whatever that means) As a solo
cyclist I found that my membership of CTC was tied totally to such a "DA"
with whom I had no contact , connection or intent to connect at all.
CTC refused to delete my connection with that local DA -- which is why
since 31 October 2007 I am no longer a member.

and exactly what problems did being part of the DA (District Association)
cause you Trevor? Otherwise this is just pointless [censored]. Sorry, I
forgot, that's your forte.

Quoted message said:

Their various insurances policies ( bike and travel) for individuals are
expensive too -- so goodness knows what they would try to lumber your
"club" with!

I'm sure Trevor must have some realistic, unbiased opinions, but perhaps he
hides his light under a bushel. AFAIA, there are more clubs affiliated to
the CTC than all other cycle clubs put together.

Quoted message said:

Trevor A Panther
In South Yorkshire,
England, United Kingdom.
www.tapan.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

"Trevor A Panther" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

For goodness sake don't get involved with the CTC as an itinerant "pals
club". You will be automatically dumped into some local club with whom you
have no connection at all. ( called a DA -- whatever that means) As a solo
cyclist I found that my membership of CTC was tied totally to such a "DA"
with whom I had no contact , connection or intent to connect at all.
CTC refused to delete my connection with that local DA -- which is why
since 31 October 2007 I am no longer a member.

and exactly what problems did being part of the DA (District Association)
cause you Trevor? Otherwise this is just pointless [censored]. Sorry, I
forgot, that's your forte.

Quoted message said:

Their various insurances policies ( bike and travel) for individuals are
expensive too -- so goodness knows what they would try to lumber your
"club" with!

I'm sure Trevor must have some realistic, unbiased opinions, but perhaps he
hides his light under a bushel. AFAIA, there are more clubs affiliated to
the CTC than all other cycle clubs put together.

Quoted message said:

Trevor A Panther
In South Yorkshire,
England, United Kingdom.
www.tapan.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

"raisethe" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
x-no-archive: On 10 Nov, 18:15, "Trevor A Panther"

Quoted message said:

For goodness sake don't get involved with the CTC as an itinerant "pals
club".
You will be automatically dumped into some local club with whom you have
no
connection at all. ( called a DA -- whatever that means) As a solo cyclist
I
found that my membership of CTC was tied totally to such a "DA" with whom
I
had no contact , connection or intent to connect at all.
CTC refused to delete my connection with that local DA -- which is why
since
31 October 2007 I am no longer a member.

Their various insurances policies ( bike and travel) for individuals are
expensive too -- so goodness knows what they would try to lumber your
"club"
with!

Or perhaps you could ask the unelected Mr Snow -- "cycling is too
dangerous" --- President of CTC for advice

All points seconded. If you also ride motorcycles note that the CTC
will be actively campaigning against you.

Please post some evidence.

Also they pretend to have a shop when all it really is is a 10%
discount voucher from Evans online store.

Finally, third party liability cover is included within home
insurance, so by buying ctc membership, you are only being covered
from say £2million to £10 million. I do not think they explain that
when they describe the members benefits.

If your home insurance covers you for third party insurance whilst riding a
bike, it must be unique. Please post which insurance company this is, and
the clause which identifies that insurance.

"raisethe" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
x-no-archive: On 10 Nov, 18:15, "Trevor A Panther"

Quoted message said:

For goodness sake don't get involved with the CTC as an itinerant "pals
club".
You will be automatically dumped into some local club with whom you have
no
connection at all. ( called a DA -- whatever that means) As a solo cyclist
I
found that my membership of CTC was tied totally to such a "DA" with whom
I
had no contact , connection or intent to connect at all.
CTC refused to delete my connection with that local DA -- which is why
since
31 October 2007 I am no longer a member.

Their various insurances policies ( bike and travel) for individuals are
expensive too -- so goodness knows what they would try to lumber your
"club"
with!

Or perhaps you could ask the unelected Mr Snow -- "cycling is too
dangerous" --- President of CTC for advice

All points seconded. If you also ride motorcycles note that the CTC
will be actively campaigning against you.

Please post some evidence.

Also they pretend to have a shop when all it really is is a 10%
discount voucher from Evans online store.

Finally, third party liability cover is included within home
insurance, so by buying ctc membership, you are only being covered
from say £2million to £10 million. I do not think they explain that
when they describe the members benefits.

If your home insurance covers you for third party insurance whilst riding a
bike, it must be unique. Please post which insurance company this is, and
the clause which identifies that insurance.

"burtthebike" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

If your home insurance covers you for third party insurance whilst riding
a bike, it must be unique. Please post which insurance company this is,
and the clause which identifies that insurance.

I believe it's actually quite common on contents insurance - see eg Direct
line, whose conditions you can check out online. Notably, cycling isn't
excluded from 3rd party cover unlike claims to do with motor vehicles.

My parents did successfully claim on their contents insurance once after I
bent a car. Ok, some years ago, but...

cheers,
clive

"burtthebike" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

If your home insurance covers you for third party insurance whilst riding
a bike, it must be unique. Please post which insurance company this is,
and the clause which identifies that insurance.

I believe it's actually quite common on contents insurance - see eg Direct
line, whose conditions you can check out online. Notably, cycling isn't
excluded from 3rd party cover unlike claims to do with motor vehicles.

My parents did successfully claim on their contents insurance once after I
bent a car. Ok, some years ago, but...

cheers,
clive