About the Flat Track Safety Group​
Making a Difference in our Sport
Our Business Plan |
Scope: To address the following five areas:
Flat Track Safety Group Scope of Work:
Phases:
Targeted Injury Types: In our initial research, we’ve determined that the most serious injuries are in these areas of the body:
Thorax
Head
Spine
Internal injuries take priority as they are the leading cause of catastrophic injury and death. Spine and head injuries can be treated, but if the patient never makes it to the hospital….
Secondary Injury Types:
Injuries to the limbs and abrasion injuries
These are typically not life-threatening so are a second priority for this group’s initial work.
The Plan
Phase I:
#1. Conduct research on available safety gear that reduces targeted injuries. Assess for practicality (i.e. necessary freedom of movement, etc.). Create a list of recommended safety products.
#2. WFT will re-write its rider safety gear requirements and enforce them strictly.
#3. Create a fund to provide for purchase of youth safety gear. For riders with a limited budget, the Group will loan gear to riders. This would ensure complete compliance, maximum safety and assures that the gear is sized correctly for each rider. It is questionable if helmets would be included in this loaner pool. Possibly, it’s more practical to stipulate minimum helmet certification.
#4. Create a WFT rider safety group comprised of several people, to be picked from a pool of racers, officials and respected safety advocates.
#5. Race tracks will be thoroughly inspected by this safety group. Based upon the feedback of this group, the track will be modified until the majority of the group declare it safe for racing. After the conclusion of this meeting and before practice begins, the promoter will declare that the track has been certified safe.
#6. Training Program:
Required if less than three years of experience
Tuck & Roll (road race photos for examples)
Target fixation
Laying a bike down
Conduct rider safety meetings that explains how one’s anatomy is impacted by blunt trauma, the life-threating danger of broken ribs, and blows to the head and spine. Explain how blunt force can be distributed to decrease damage to the body. Help riders better understand the risk/reward of the choices they make while racing. These training sessions will be provided at Feel Like a Pro schools, WFT events and by request at other events and facilities.
#7. Address potential ambulance and safety personnel shortcomings. Not really sure to remediate.
Phase 2:
#1. Revise WFT adult safety gear requirements and enforce them strictly. There would be no or limited rider gear loan pool. The reasoning is that if you don’t have money for safety gear, you shouldn’t be racing.
#2. Create ongoing campaign creating racer awareness of safety
Phase 3:
#1. Create “Certified Safe” training program.
#2. When the program is complete and successful, share it with clubs, promoters and riders throughout the U.S. Consider creating safety standards that can be adopted by these organizations.
Flat Track Safety Group Scope of Work:
- Evaluate and recommend proper rider safety gear
- Rider & parent education
- Track & facility personnel safety training
- Encourage promoters and sanctioning bodies participation in improving safety.
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS) education and training
Phases:
- CA. Youth
- CA. Adults
- Expand nationally – build rider injury database, get manufacturers and sanctioning bodies involved
Targeted Injury Types: In our initial research, we’ve determined that the most serious injuries are in these areas of the body:
Thorax
Head
Spine
Internal injuries take priority as they are the leading cause of catastrophic injury and death. Spine and head injuries can be treated, but if the patient never makes it to the hospital….
Secondary Injury Types:
Injuries to the limbs and abrasion injuries
These are typically not life-threatening so are a second priority for this group’s initial work.
The Plan
Phase I:
#1. Conduct research on available safety gear that reduces targeted injuries. Assess for practicality (i.e. necessary freedom of movement, etc.). Create a list of recommended safety products.
#2. WFT will re-write its rider safety gear requirements and enforce them strictly.
#3. Create a fund to provide for purchase of youth safety gear. For riders with a limited budget, the Group will loan gear to riders. This would ensure complete compliance, maximum safety and assures that the gear is sized correctly for each rider. It is questionable if helmets would be included in this loaner pool. Possibly, it’s more practical to stipulate minimum helmet certification.
#4. Create a WFT rider safety group comprised of several people, to be picked from a pool of racers, officials and respected safety advocates.
#5. Race tracks will be thoroughly inspected by this safety group. Based upon the feedback of this group, the track will be modified until the majority of the group declare it safe for racing. After the conclusion of this meeting and before practice begins, the promoter will declare that the track has been certified safe.
#6. Training Program:
Required if less than three years of experience
Tuck & Roll (road race photos for examples)
Target fixation
Laying a bike down
Conduct rider safety meetings that explains how one’s anatomy is impacted by blunt trauma, the life-threating danger of broken ribs, and blows to the head and spine. Explain how blunt force can be distributed to decrease damage to the body. Help riders better understand the risk/reward of the choices they make while racing. These training sessions will be provided at Feel Like a Pro schools, WFT events and by request at other events and facilities.
#7. Address potential ambulance and safety personnel shortcomings. Not really sure to remediate.
Phase 2:
#1. Revise WFT adult safety gear requirements and enforce them strictly. There would be no or limited rider gear loan pool. The reasoning is that if you don’t have money for safety gear, you shouldn’t be racing.
#2. Create ongoing campaign creating racer awareness of safety
Phase 3:
#1. Create “Certified Safe” training program.
#2. When the program is complete and successful, share it with clubs, promoters and riders throughout the U.S. Consider creating safety standards that can be adopted by these organizations.