A recent High Court decision where a cycling club was cleared of liability for an accident in a TT has brought welcome news to clubs like Lewes Wanderers. However, the ruling also underlines the critical importance of doing things properly when it comes to event organisation.

Signage and marshals set a new precedent

In Hetherington v Fell & Anor, the judge ruled that Ferryhill Wheelers Cycling Club—an amateur, volunteer-run organisation—was not liable for injuries sustained by a rider in a 2019 time trial. The case involved a collision between a participant and a motorist. Although the driver admitted liability, they sought to shift some of the blame to the cycling club, alleging poor signage and insufficient marshals.

Thankfully, the court disagreed.

Mr Justice Ritchie found that the club had met its duty of care, describing its efforts to warn drivers—through temporary signage and marshals—as adequate. He noted that the club had run many similar events and that its volunteers had taken reasonable steps to mitigate risk at the accident site. Importantly, the judge was unequivocal in his support for the role of volunteers, saying:

“This was a voluntary organisation, carrying out tasks for free for the benefit of members of society, and the standard of care placed upon them in law is not so high that it would discourage such beneficial voluntary activities.”

The incident itself was a sobering one. The rider was hit by a car travelling at 20mph on the A689 in County Durham. The driver had been returning home after a long shift and failed to notice the warning signs or marshals at the junction.

The judge was clear: the blame lay solely with the driver, not the organisers.

What It Means for Us

This ruling is good news for a club like ours. We have legal reassurance that we won’t be held to unrealistic standards if we act responsibly and follow best practices.

But it’s also a stark reminder of the responsibility we all share as members of Lewes Wanderers.

Running safe, enjoyable events doesn’t just happen. They take planning, signage, and—crucially—volunteers to make sure everything goes safely on the day. The court found in favour of Ferryhill Wheelers because they had taken these steps, even if the driver failed to heed them. Had they not, the outcome might have been very different.

We Need You

Here at Lewes Wanderers, we’re proud to be a club that runs a busy calendar of races and time trials. But none of it happens without your help.

So we’re asking every member to volunteer at least once a year. Whether it’s putting out signs, marshalling a junction, or helping at HQ —it all makes a difference. It’s how we keep each other safe, share the load, and ensure our events stay legal, safe and well-run.

If you’ve never volunteered before, now’s the time: it’s easy and essential. If you’re one of our regulars—thank you. Your efforts have never mattered more.

Let’s keep our events rolling, our riders safe, and our club strong 💪