Code of Conduct
for the
Wheels for Change Bike Tour

In order to ‘be the change that we want to see in the world’, we would like to run the bike tour in a way that explores, models and promotes the joys of a sustainable way of life and of being part of a supportive and positive community of people. We also want everyone to have fun!

We have developed the following Code of Conduct in order to clarify our expectations of all participants taking part in the bike tour. Participants are asked to agree to follow this code as a condition of registration.

1. Living Sustainably

Here are some guidelines for reducing our impact on the environment while on the tour:

• Transport. This campaign promotes bicycling as a sustainable, healthy and fun way of traveling. Participants (with the exception of children under 12 yrs) are encouraged to use their bicycles as the only means of transport throughout this tour (apart from taking the ferry from Vancouver to Victoria). Participants may need to make arrangements to use other forms of transport for joining the tour, or for returning home, but they should try to minimize their greenhouse gas emissions when doing so. Some suggestions are: don't use an airplane, use public transport such as a bus or a train if at all possible, and if a car is necessary, try to carpool, use cars with alternative fuels (e.g. electricity, biodiesel), or use hybrid cars or cars with high fuel efficiency.
  
  
• Food. On this tour participants will mostly eat low on the food chain (i.e. a mostly vegetarian diet), and rely on local and organic agriculture wherever possible.
  
  
• Waste. Throughout the tour, coordinators and participants will minimize waste by choosing less packaged products, and by buying reusable, recycled and recyclable items. For example, participants should bring water bottles that can be filled up at camp rather than buying bottled water. In camp, coordinators and participants will try to provide litter-free lunches, minimize water use and wastage, and sort the solid waste into compost, recyclables and garbage.
  
  
• Pollutants. To reduce pollution, coordinators will provide environmentally friendly dishwashing soaps, cleaning liquids hand soaps and shampoos in bulk. Participants should try to ensure that personal cleaning products are environmentally friendly.

2. Permissible Activities

No illegal drugs or other activities. The Wheels for Change campaign is committed to supporting drug-free, law-abiding activities. As such, no participant may use illegal drugs (or narcotics considered illegal in Canada - including marijuana), and no minors under the age of 18 may consume alcohol during our campaign events. In addition, no illegal (law-breaking) activities will be tolerated.

3. Language and Behavior Expectations

The Wheels for Change campaign promotes and tolerates respectful and positive relationships only. As such, all participants must respect one another, and may not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, sexuality, religion, color, ethnicity, age, appearance, etc. Participants are expected to use appropriate language, avoid swearing and be kind in their interactions with others. Non-violent communication is expected at all times, even and especially when participants are talking with people with different viewpoints on climate change and other contentious issues. Absolutely no harassment, be it physical, sexual or other will be tolerated. Under no circumstances will physical violence be tolerated. No participant may carry or possess a weapon at any time.

4. Interactions with the Host Communities

Participants should be welcoming and courteous to the community groups that host us. In particular, participants must ensure that the tour group leaves each community event location, rest site and camp site cleaner than we found it.

5. Interactions with the Media

Interactions with media should be cleared through coordinators. The Wheels for Change campaign is a campaign as well as a bike tour and it is important that we all stay ‘on-message’ with the media. We do not want this campaign to be used to promote other causes with only tenuous links to the issue of climate change. Participants must agree not to be interviewed by the media during the tour unless the Campaign Coordinators have given permission. If they are to be involved in a media event, participants will be given a briefing on key talking points for the media; they are expected to focus on these points in their interactions with the media.

6. Expected Fitness Level

Participants should be very fit and have trained for the ride. All participants are responsible for their own health and physical preparation. Previous cycling experience must include single day rides of more than 70 kms and 3+ sequential days of 50 kms or more. There will also be some very long uphill climbs some days. Do not assume that biking to work will give you sufficient fitness. Every effort will be made to ensure all participants successfully complete the tour. However, if someone suffers exhaustion or an injury that makes continuing impossible, they will have to drop out.

7. Bicycle Equipment Requirements

When cycling, riders must always wear a helmet approved for cycling use in BC (Motor Vehicle Act, Section 184). Each rider must also provide his/her own mechanically sound bicycle, with front and rear lights. Additional reflective gear/tape is recommended. Most mountain bikes and touring bikes will suffice. You need to attach a rack and panniers for personal baggage (although support vehicles can carry some heavy equipment). Consult a cycling shop if you are not sure.

8. Bicycle Safety

Cyclists must agree to abide by safe cycling rules, as outlined in the Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition pamphlet, BikeSense (http://www.bikesense.bc.ca/manual.htm), and ride her/his bike in a safe and controlled manner at all times. More specifically, they will be briefed on, and must also agree to follow, the safety protocol of the Wheels for Change Bike Tour, which is being developed in consultation with bike safety professionals.

9. Costs

Each participant will be required to pay a contribution of $20.00 per tour day for individuals, and $30.00 per day for families. This will cover administrative costs, and shared costs during the ride such as meals, fuel and camping fees. Participants must mail the campaign a non-refundable advance fee of $40.00 per participant, together with the signed waivers and forms that will be sent to them after they register online. Participants must pay the remainder of the fee in person at the onset of the tour.

10. Complaint Resolution Mechanism

If any participant breaks any part of this Code of Conduct, the complaint resolution mechanism will be as follows: All complaints should be directed towards Campaign Coordinators. Complaints will be treated with confidentiality, and will be evaluated carefully by Campaign Coordinators to ensure that they are valid. If the complaint is considered to be about a less serious matter, the participant will be given one warning before being asked to leave the tour. If the complaint is considered by the Campaign Coordinators to be about a serious infringement, the participants will be asked to leave the tour immediately.