Commissaires course in Palmerston North in August
Despite the current ‘cost of living challenges’ facing all community events, Bike Manawatu is 100% committed to ensuring the 51st year of the Novice Tour – once again provides a safe, fun, competitive cycle racing event.
We will adopt a high-quality assured approach in implementing the Local Roading Authority’s/Cycling New Zealand’s ‘Safe Traffic Management System’ (STMS) standards which ensure best practices and rider and spectator safety.
If the level of community funding secured is not sufficient to contract in external road management service providers with the ability to stop/go traffic, the Novice Tour will proceed on a ‘local club racing’ model, whereby our team of trained/experienced road marshals will, where necessary, pause racing in order to give way to traffic and ensure rider safety.
Although funding external road management services with the ability to stop/go traffic is ideal, if this is not feasible – we are confident that the event’s ‘Safe Traffic Management System’ (STMS) will provide a competitive, fair, enjoyable and importantly safe racing environment.
Irrespective of which model of traffic management/racing is finalised, as with all CNZ/Bike Manawatu events, normal road rules will apply and a full rider briefing confirming the event rules will be provided to all riders prior to the start of each race.
Bike NZ are in the planning stage for the next set of Commissaires courses and they have said that running one in Palmerston North would be a good fit.
For these courses, they now run these as a one day Club/Centre Commissaires course (a 7 to 8 hour course), which is a pre-requisite for those that may wish to later go on to do a National Commissaires course. The Club/Centre qualification allows people to officiate at the club and regional level, and also to assist at major events under the supervision of a National Commissaire.
Bike NZ require the Centre to provide a venue with a classroom type set up (whiteboard and projector if possible). There would be a fee per participant, which would go towards the cost of travel and accommodation for the course tutors (who will be volunteer National Commissaires) and provision of materials.
There is a short exam at the end of the course. Bike NZ would then assign a local, senior commissiare to provide support to the new Commissaires.
If you are interested in attending this course and gaining this qualification please get in contact with me ASAP.
