If you think you'll be able to help out on the day as a marshal, for a feeder ride and/or the main ride, can you please let us know by emailing hello {at} pedalonparliament.org changing the {at} to the usual @
Thanks!
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Events, rides etc.
#pop28 marshals
(25 posts)-
Posted 12 years ago #
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Having never been a marshal, could you elaborate a bit on what would be entailed (being there early)? A bit of a person spec (skills, experience, aptitude) would be good too...
Robert the ignorant
Posted 12 years ago # -
Being a marshal is really just about pointing people in the right direction, the marshal would "supervise" at junctions, keep in contact with each other to make sure that ride didn't get too fragmented and be a contact point in case of need. Much swapping of mobile numbers in advance.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Kim's got it about right. I'd add:
- * turn up a bit early to be briefed / attend recce ride if at all possible
* follow the police's instructions on the day and ensure others do the same
* lead and tail the group, and lead and tail subgroups if the ride gets split up at junctions
* explain to motorists & others what's going on and why they're being delayed if necessary (maybe with flyers)
* offer help to anyone who's injured / has mechanical problems, or find someone who can (btw do we need first aiders / bike first aiders?)
* be smiley and friendly and non-confrontational to motorists, cyclists and pedestrians alike and encourage others to do the same
Posted 12 years ago # -
PS if anyone has had experience of doing this before that would be great because we're making it up as we go along here...
Posted 12 years ago # -
I'm a first aider and will bring my first aid kit. (excited now I have an excuse to buy lots of new stuff for my first aid box). I'll try to get some green crosses on my high vis cycle vest.
Posted 12 years ago # -
because we're making it up as we go along here...
I think you and Kim seem to have it fairly well sussed out.
Would the folk who've previously been in contact with LBP about organising the day been given police guidelines for such an occasion?Posted 12 years ago # -
First aider here too, although minus a kit, I think. Should really own one, so I'll remedy that in due course.
Posted 12 years ago # -
OK, there'll be a police briefing on the day and they'll decide then (I think) if they'll let us 'bottle' junctions, i.e. not let any cars through, or if we have to go with the flow of the traffic.
We'll also have special POP blue hi vis vests for the marshals (no point making them yellow!) but maybe green crosses for first aiders would be a good point. Would it be possible to be both a first aider and a marshal, or should those be different jobs?
If folks (not just marshals) could bring pumps with a variety of valve fittings that would be good so any flats can be temporarily dealt with quickly. Also maybe we should have a bit of a 'bike fettling' spot before the ride so if bikes have been dragged out of sheds / bought from Asda they can be put in vaguely running order before the off...
Posted 12 years ago # -
Track pump with schraeder and presta valve fittings available for Harrison Park if I can pop it in a trailer for the journey.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Sally, from my experience the following could be useful:
There needs to be a clear route plan and contingencies if this changes on the day or during the event.
It is advisable to nominate someone to be in overall "command" on the day - i.e. someone who can take decisions on the spot and who the authorities can contact in the first instance. In my experience committees are not best placed to take decisions in these situations. This person needs a deputy, who can take over if the designated person leaves or cannot be contacted. The authorities should be advised that these people are the first point of contact on the day.
The designated "commanders" and other organisers must know who the police/council top brass are on the ground during the demo and how to contact them.
Marshals need to be well briefed on the day. Some kind of quick reference fact card can also be useful to ensure everyone knows what action to take in circumstances you can reasonably expect to happen (mechanical breakdown, lost children etc.)
Clear channels of communication between organisers/marshals are essential on the day.
It is vital to find out ASAP whether the demo will require to adhere to normal rules at junctions etc. It could be chaos on the day if people aren't advised of this in advance. If the decision is made on the day then every possible form of communication should be used to advise people of how to behave on the road - otherwise marshals could find themselves dealing with a number of irate cyclists/motorists/others.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Random suggestion regarding lost children - would tyvek wristbands that mum/dad/primary carer could write contact details on be sensible? Don't think they're that expensive.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Zenfrost, not a bad idea, but would expect parents who know their kid's an escape artist to bring them pre-labelled. The wee ones should mostly be contained in bike seats anyway!
we are arranging loudhailers though for exactly such contingencies
Posted 12 years ago # -
@morningsider - thanks for that, all extremely helpful and noted!
We could try and push the police for a decision earlier but I suspect they're going to base that on how many turn up. At the moment we've got no idea except for those saying they'll come on the facebook event - which seems on the low side.
Briefing cards etc. an extremely good idea, we'll have to try and get those prepared.
It might be a good idea to do a dry run a week beforehand to ride the route & also so marshals know who each other are by sight, if they don't already! All in @SRD's hands though ...
Posted 12 years ago # -
oh and ahem ... did you say you had *experience* of this, @morningsider?
Posted 12 years ago # -
Sally - I have some very limited experience of this kind of thing. I'm happy to help in any way I can - I could draft sample fact cards for marshalls, help with any dry run (I cycle part of this route in my daily commute).
I was thinking about the suggestions for repairs/fettling. I think organisers should be clear that responsibility for participants safety and the road worthiness of their bikes are their own responsibility. Perhaps worth suggesting on the website that people concerned about the state of their bike visit a friendly local bike shop prior to the ride for bike repairs/service.
Not to say that marshals/organisers cannot offer friendly advice or assistance - but I don't think this could be on any formal basis, as it could open up liability issues.
Posted 12 years ago # -
@morningsider - yes please re drafting cards / dry run - I think you have our email addresses?
You're probably right re bike fettling. A complication too far and we're up to our eyes as it is. Simplify!
Posted 12 years ago # -
Bum, I forgot to tell SRD and Anth I'm volunteering for this and am a first aider. Am and am, SRD'n'Anth.
Posted 12 years ago # -
that's great. we may have to have a special HP marshals meeting sometime next week - Diggers?
Posted 12 years ago # -
Diggers suits dandy, yarp. I'll arbitarily say Wednesday?
Posted 12 years ago # -
works for me. 7.30 on the 25th?
Posted 12 years ago # -
Sorry chaps and chapesses (sp?) but I'll be busy marchalling my two young reprobates, or I'd be there with you. Tell you what I'll have a wee dram on Weds evening and 'Be With You In Spirit'... did you see what I did there? :D
Posted 12 years ago # -
I am 50% gentlemen of leisure this week and next, so I'm flexible like a python's jaw to the tune of popping goat ribs.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Yep, works for me too, even though I'm as flexible as a Hollywood A-lister's botoxed forehead having been dipped in liquid nitrogen to the tune of 'We Shall Not Be Moved'... Or something.
Posted 12 years ago #
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