FAQ
Isn’t bike riding in the city too dangerous?
The perceived danger of cycling is often disproportionate to the actual risk. Research shows that in Australia, per 100,000 participants, an individual is seven times more likely to be hospitalized playing football than riding a bicycle. Furthermore, risk-benefit analyses consistently report that the health benefits of cycling outweigh the risks by factors ranging from five to one, to twenty to one. Yet another finding reported time and again in the literature is that as more people cycle, the safer it becomes for everyone.
What if someone gets injured? Will they be covered?
Workcover insurance covers workers who are injured or become ill because of their work duties. This includes injuries that occur during work-related travel. Entitlements may include the replacement of lost income, medical and rehabilitation treatment costs, legal costs, or, in the event of a serious injury, lump sum compensation.
Cyclists who are injured in an accident on a road, involving a registered motor vehicle, are covered by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC). The TAC can pay for medical treatment needed because of the accident at a public or private hospital. It can also pay for a range of other medical treatments, such as physiotherapy or pharmacy items.
Bicycle Victoria is a self-funded community organisation, owned collectively by its members. Membership costs $90 per year, and includes insurance cover for personal injury and public liability as a result of a bike accident as well as free consumer and legal advice. Bikes@Work recommends all riders consider taking out Bicycle Victoria membership.
Will I be liable if an employee has an accident on a work bike?
As an employer you must provide a safe and healthy workplace for your workers and contractors. This includes:
• providing and maintaining safe equipment and safe systems of work
• making sure workers have adequate information, instruction and training to work in a safe and healthy manner.
• adequately monitoring your workers' health
• engaging people with the necessary qualifications or expertise to advise on health and safety issues affecting your workers.
Bikes@Work assists you to set up your bicycle fleet so that is operates within a strict risk management framework. This includes conducting risk assessments, employee health and fitness screening, developing risk management plans and operating guidelines and providing induction, cycling skills and road safety training for users.
How do we ensure the bikes are in safe working order?
Before every ride, users are required to perform a simple pre-ride safety check (as demonstrated in the induction training session). Any faults or damage are reported immediately to the relevant person and arrangements made for repairs at the local bicycle repairer. Bikes@Work can also arrange for a program of scheduled servicing to ensure the safety and longevity of the bikes.
What about helmets?
An Australian standard, adjustable, ‘one-size-fits-all’ helmet is provided with each bicycle. Helmet liners may also be used for improved hygiene. Some organisations choose to purchase or subsidise the cost of extra helmets so that regular users can have their own individual helmets. Users are responsible for reporting any damage or blows to helmets, in which case they should be replaced with new helmets.