New legislation has been introduced in Northern Ireland pertaining to the management of cycling events. The legislative change provides accredited marshals with the legal right to stop and hold traffic at a cycling event taking place on open roads.
The legislation follows a period of engagement between Cycling Ireland, the National Governing Body for cycling on the island of Ireland, Cycling Ulster, the provincial council, the PSNI and the Department for Infrastructure. The changes were implemented to ensure cycling events could continue to take place in a safe manner across Northern Ireland, benefiting communities through improved health and wellbeing and delivering economic benefits.
Banbridge Cycling Club have been actively training their volunteers via the British Standards Institute accredited course through LANTRA and with the support of Cycling Ulster, PSNI and Department of Infrastructure for Northern Ireland.
Banbridge Cycling Club Chairperson, Aaron Wallace, said;
“As a club with a rich history of promoting regular local and national cycle events we’re delighted to see our governing body working in collaboration with the PSNI and Department of Infrastructure to introduce an Accredited Marshal Scheme. I would like to thank all those whose efforts have brought the scheme to fruition.
Our volunteers who have completed the accredited training now have the legal right to stop and hold traffic in line with the new legislation. I have little doubt this will contribute to the safe passage and operation of cycle events in the local community and ensure the long-term sustainability of our events.”
Speaking to Banbridge Cycling Club , PSNI Inspector of Banbridge Neighbourhood Team, Kieran Quinn, added;
“An accredited marshal at cycling, walking and running events is someone who has been trained to use specific ‘Stop!’ signs, to legally stop and hold traffic, to allow the safe passage of a cycle race or running or walking event on the open highway.
Road safety is in all our interests. Cyclists are among the most vulnerable road users, and I would ask everyone to respect this. Please support the work of Accredited Marshals in the management of events. They are there for everyone’s safety so please comply with their directions.”
(L-R Willie Weir, Banbridge CC, Aaron Wallace, Banbridge CC Chairperson and Open Race Secretary, Kieran Quinn, PSNI Banbridge Neighbourhood Team Inspector, Toni Hannigan, Banbridge CC Vice Chairperson and Club Race Secretary, Cameron McIntyre, Banbridge CC, Paul Lilley, Banbridge CC)
Further information on the Accredited Road Marshal Scheme (ARMS) can be found on the Information Sheet, here.
