Safety action for downhillers

Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) is aiming to raise the standard of its downhill mountain bike centres with the help of its health and safety experts.

The driver behind the safety move comes as FCS develops its own national strategy to take forward all forms of mountain biking on the national estate for years to come. Feeding into this strategy is a new GB-wide root and branch review of mountain bike safety which aims to improve standards for all riders on the Commission's land.

Very recently, this safety review highlighted the need to improve the transport methods used for uplift on downhill courses. In view of this new advice, FCS needs to take action now and is tightening up safety regulations on the uplifts.

FCS has no option but to temporarily suspend the operation of commercial businesses who use unsuitable transport outside of races, unless they can immediately comply with new safety requirements. In addition to the safety measures taken for races, commercial businesses will need to provide vehicles with seat belts driven by suitably qualified drivers. The Commission's staff will be working closely with these operators to explore how these businesses can meet health and safety requirements.

Karl Bartlett, FCS's cycling development officer said: "As a result of very recent health and safety advice we have to put in place new arrangements for those who undertake uplift services. We are now working with the relevant downhilling authorities, and operators to ensure that future uplifts comply with our operating guidance.

"There was never going to be a good time to announce this but we consider that we have taken immediate steps to ensure that the events can proceed and allow organisers the time necessary to make further improvements. We have advised the sport's governing bodies of the need for the changes and they recognise the importance of safety. Discussions are continuing with the SDA and BC over implementation of the measures to ensure that safety of competitors and those who mountain bike as a leisure pursuit is treated with the utmost importance.

He added, "It is also interesting that our safety experts have been discussing with downhillers their views on uplifts and it appears that many would welcome a move to a safer mode of transport." Forestry Commission Scotland will continue to work with the downhilling authorities and health and safety experts to implement national safety standards for uplifts for the future.