2015 Tour Disaster

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Saturday, July 4th, 2015

The 2015 Tour Disaster is designed to demonstrate the important role cyclists can play in an emergency response. After an earthquake in Victoria, cyclists may be able to access roads, pathways and bridges that vehicles can't, to help move people, information and materials from one location to another.

Part cycling rally, part emergency exercise, the 2015 Tour Disaster will have cyclists work their way through a series of tasks that could be required following a community-wide emergency. Tasks will include moving supplies and information, searching for lost individuals, and conducting damage assessments within a local neighbourhood – all while navigating through a simulated damaged or congested transportation system.

A participant must safely carry envelopes with instructions, bottled water for personal use, and cargo in the form of 12 litres of water, two eggs, and to bring their own map. Bicycles must be“human-powered”. No electric or fossil fuel assisted devices are permitted.

The event also serves as an emergency exercise for Victoria Emergency Management Agency volunteers, who set up and staff an Incident Command Post at Topaz Park and various checkpoints along the route. Volunteers communicate by radio to simulate a major disaster when local phone lines are down.

Points System

The Tour Disaster is not a race. It is a rally with a variety of tasks that need to be completed within the event time frame. Points are awarded for assisting other cyclists at obstacles; completing each task assigned in the prescribed time; finishing order; transporting two eggs without breaking them; and the total weight or bulk of cargo carried. The person with the most points is declared the “winner”.

The points system is designed to encourage all cyclists to participate, including those with large backpacks, pannier bags, carriers, trailers, cargo bikes, etc. It recognizes that disasters are not competitions, and that collaboration is essential to success in providing assistance to the community during a disaster response.

Who Can Register?

The event is open to cyclists, 19 years of age or older, who have the ability to carry a minimum amount of cargo by way of large backpacks, pannier bags, carriers, trailers, cargo bikes, etc.

Pre-Registration

Pre-registration is required and is capped at 40 participants this year. The deadline to pre-register is Monday, June 29, 2015 at 4 p.m.

Event Details

Option to Carry More Cargo/Weight
Participants can earn extra points by carrying heavy or bulk objects throughout the event, such as tents, sleeping bags, rolled camping mattresses, cots or boxes of relief supplies. NOTE: It is up to the participant to provide these items. In addition, these items must be secured to the bicycle in a safe way. Event organizers reserve the right to disallow objects they deem to be unsafe.

Obstacle
There will be at least one location on the route where a participant's bicycle needs to be lifted up and over an obstacle. This will require the bicycle to be unloaded in order to travel over the obstacle.

Bicycle Requirements
Participants need to have a safely functioning bicycle, which will be briefly inspected at check-in to verify that there are no obvious safety defects. It is the participant's responsibility to ensure that their bicycle is in good working order.

Safety

Safety is a primary concern. Participants are reminded that they must follow all rules of the road and conduct themselves in a manner that it safe to them and to those around them. When necessary or appropriate, participants must dismount and walk their bicycle.
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About the Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition

The purpose of the Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition is to promote, and improve conditions for cycling in Greater Victoria by improving cycling education; facilitating communication between cyclists, government, and other community groups; improving facilities for bicycle use; improving the legal climate for cyclists; encouraging more people to ride bicycles more often; and developing a cycling information base.

For more details, visit: http://www.victoria.ca/EN/main/departments/emergency-preparedness/2015-tour-disaster.html