All members should ensure everyone has an equal right to participate in our cycling activities by-Making cycling a sport that is equally open and available to all club members, and where everyone is treated with respect and as an individual.

• Not discriminating against individuals for any reason, whether as a result of race, colour, gender, marital status, sexuality, age, disability, occupation, religion or political persuasion.
• Making every effort to ensure that all individuals have the opportunity to participate without fear or harassment.
• Respecting the right of riders to consult with other coaches and experts.
• Communicating with each other in a way which reflects respect and care.

We should build relationships within the club that are open and honest, and founded on mutual trust and respect.

• Club members should not behave in a manner that involves, or could be construed as, abuse of any kind (e.g.  sexual, physical or emotional abuse, or being neglectful or bullying).
• Any form of sexually related contact with an under age person is strictly forbidden. So too are sexual innuendo, flirting or any inappropriate gestures and terms.
• Members must take action if they have concerns about an adult‘s behaviour towards a child or a vulnerable adult.
• Physical contact during both competitive and non-competitive cycling activities should be limited to that which is appropriate and necessary. It should always be with the consent and approval of the rider/athlete.

Members must strive to demonstrate proper personal behaviour and conduct at all times. This involves –

• Acting as a positive role model for cycling, behaving with respect, honesty, control and dignity to all others.
• Striving towards providing a safe environment for all our activities that maximises the enjoyment and benefits of cycling and minimises risks to participants and competitors.
• Those members who are also club coaches and officials should consider on-going training to maintain their knowledge and expertise within their own specialist areas.

The Willesden Cycling Club celebrates the diversity of its membership and of the people of the London Borough of Brent where it originates.

• We have zero-tolerance for prejudice, discrimination and harassment. Everyone should be treated equally regardless of their status of disability, gender reassignment, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, sex, gender or age. 
• Any form of discrimination will not be tolerated, and we ask all our members to challenge discriminatory behaviour or language and report any incidents they have experienced or witnessed to a club officer.
• We foster a culture of accountability. This means being ready to accept responsibility for our actions and to make amends.
• Examples of unacceptable behaviour by a club member(s)
  • Unlawful discrimination or harassment.
  • Physical violence or bullying.
  • Sharing of offensive material on Club official social media (such as the Facebook page).
  • Misuse of member-led social media messaging platforms like WhatsApp, including sharing of discriminating or offensive material.

It is club policy to ensure that any disciplinary matter is dealt with fairly and that steps are taken to establish the facts.

The first step will be for issues to be resolved through mediation with the assistance of the committee. For more serious or repeated breaches disciplinary action will be taken in line with the club Disciplinary Procedures. This will be under a new separate term of “Disrespecting the club’s Diversity and Inclusion policy. “

If possible bring an issue up immediately with the club member organising the activity. If for any reason that is not possible, raise the concern with the club officer who you feel is most appropriate. If you are a club member use the club member area to find an officer to take up your concern. Non-members should send a brief email with your contact details, including phone, to [email protected].

• In case of an emergency protection situation contact:Police: 999
  Your Local Social Care Emergency Duty Team
  NSPCC: 0808 800 5000
  Childline: 0800 1111

https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/safeguarding signposts you to British Cycling resources relevant to safeguarding.

If a complaint has been made against a member of the Club, the Club’s Disciplinary Procedure will be invoked.

Every effort will be made to ensure that confidentiality is maintained for all concerned. Information should be handled by, and disseminated to, only those who have a need to know

All complaints regarding the behaviour of members should be presented and submitted in writing to the Club Secretary (mailto:[email protected])

A committee of the club’s  officers (“The Committee”)  will meet to hear complaints within 21 days of a complaint being lodged. The Committee has the power to take appropriate disciplinary action including the termination of membership.

The outcome of a disciplinary hearing should be notified in writing to the person who lodged the complaint and the member against whom the complaint was made within 14 days of the hearing.

There will be the right of appeal to the Committee following disciplinary action being announced. The Committee should consider the appeal within 21 days of the Club Secretary receiving the appeal.

In the event of a matter of urgency that needs to be resolved before a meeting of the Committee can be convened, the Chairman, Membership Secretary and Secretary (or other officers if any of the three are not available) will have the power to act on behalf of the club to resolve the issue.

The police or British Cycling must be contacted if the circumstances warrant it.

For clarity:

• This procedure covers any complaint about an identifiable member(s). For instance a serious breach of the code of conduct such as racism, reckless cycling, theft and deliberate damage are all examples.
• “In writing” can mean electronically, such as by text and so forth.