General Liability

All riders (whether registered pre-event or on event day) must sign a waiver, including key safety information such as:  

• Wear helmet 
• Rider agrees to obey all Ontario Highway Traffic Act laws 
• Roads are open to vehicle traffic 
• Earphones/ buds are not permitted
• No bikes with throttle 

Route & Site Coverage (Event Day)

On site at the University Centre  

Waterloo Medvents will provide support for minor medical issues on site. A team of two will be stationed outside the University Centre with their own vehicle, fully equipped with First Aid Kits and Defibrillators.  

An additional first aid kit is available at the TdG Communications Desk located inside the University Centre, within the Volunteer Area. 

There are numerous defibrillators at the University. The closest to our event location are: 

• University Centre – post located across from the stair leading up to Brass Taps 
• Basement of Peter Clark Hall 

Speed River Bicycle will be stationed onsite at the University ready for dispatch to help with roadside issues relating to bike mechanics such as dropped chains, flat tires, etc.

Routes and rest stops

First aid kits are available at each rest stop for minor cuts and scraps.  

Waterloo Medvents will provide further support at each of the five rest stops, working in teams of two (total of 10 Medvents team members along the routes). Each team will have their own vehicle, fully equipped with First Aid Kits and Defibrillators.  

Paid duty OPP officers and volunteer marshals are also stationed along the route at busy intersections. 

• See appropriate route map for locations of Marshals and Paid Duty Officers.  
• Every marshal will be provided with a sheet that details where the riders are coming from and direction they are going to with instructions for them to keep riders informed on directions. 

A minimum two committee members will act as Route Monitors, driving the routes in separate vehicles over duration of the event to monitor rider progress. 

Route maps

Communications Desk

Location and set-up

The Communications Desk acts as a central hub for all rider-related communications, located within the lower level of the University Centre across from the Volunteer Hub.  

Riders can call into the Communications Desk using one central phone line: 226-979-7626. Riders can locate this phone number on their rider wristband (provided at registration), in email, on TdG website and in departure remarks. 

Suspicious Activity Protocol

If suspicious activity is observed—such as unattended bags or packages, individuals exhibiting unusual or erratic behavior, or the presence of protestors—staff and volunteers must not engage directly. Maintain a safe distance and immediately report the situation to Campus Police at 519-840-5000, including location, description of the individual or item, and nature of the concern. 

Weather & Air Quality

Extreme weather conditions

Conditions such as extreme heat, rain, wind, etc. can make cycling more prone to accidents. If these conditions are present on the day of the event or anticipated ahead of event day, communications will be deployed via:  

• Tour de Guelph pre-event rider email  
• MC remarks prior to riders’ departure 

In case of severe weather such a lightening, all riders and volunteers on site should shelter indoors in the University Centre. 

If caught outside with no safe shelter nearby, riders and volunteers should take the following actions to reduce the risk of being struck by lightning: 

• Immediately get off elevated areas such as hills, mountain ridges, or peaks. 
• Never lie flat on the ground. Crouch down in a ball-like position with your head tucked and hands over your ears so that you are down low with minimal contact with the ground. 
• Never shelter under an isolated tree. If you are in a forest, shelter near lower trees. 
• Immediately get out of and away from ponds, lakes, and other bodies of water. 
• Stay away from objects that conduct electricity 
• Separate from others. 
• If you are in a group during a thunderstorm, separate from each other. This will reduce the number of injuries if lightning strikes the ground. 

Air quality

If there are Air Quality warnings in effect, our response will align with the Ontario AQHI Categories and corresponding Health Messages.