Code of Conduct

Please read this carefully before coming to the Velotour Festival

safe and welcoming cycling festival for all

The following code outlines the requirements for participants’ conduct on and off the road during the Velotour Festival from 18 May to 20 May 2024 and is designed to offer a safe and welcoming cycling festival for all regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, physical appearance, ability and religion (or lack thereof).

Organizers do not tolerate harassment of participants in any form including offensive language, sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention. Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.

All participants, organizers and volunteers at the Velotour Festival are required to agree with the present code of conduct. Organizers will enforce this code throughout the event. We are expecting cooperation from all participants to help ensure a safe and welcoming environment for everybody.

Any conduct that breaches this code could result in actions organizers deem appropriate, including warning or your removal from the Velotour Festival and organizers will not be liable to refund the cost of the festival or any expenses this removal incurs.

1. LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

All participants are required to observe the law wherever we go, both on and off the bike. Failure to do so will result in removal from the festival.

Participants must follow all traffic rules and road rules of the Belgian Traffic Code. This means you have the same responsibilities as road users and must obey all traffic signals such as red lights, stop signs, etc. just as you would driving a bike on your own.

Police escorting may be applicable for some parts of the tour. Instructions of the Police must be followed.

There's a liability and physical damage insurance for all volunteers and a basic physical damage insurance for all participants. Yet, with your registration you agree and confirm that you participate at your own risk and responsibility. You will be asked to sign a disclaimer on the first day to waive any liability claim towards the organisers.

2. GENERAL CONDUCT

Please behave on the festival as you would be at home, on holiday or on a bike trip: with respect and consideration for the other participants, volunteers and organizers as well as others around you. Participate in an authentic and active way. In doing so, you contribute to the community and the positive image of cycling and bike touring. Exercise consideration and respect in your speech and actions. Please avoid making assumptions. Attempt collaboration before conflict.

More specifically you must:

  • Read, understand and conform with the cycling safety instructions and the Belgian Traffic Code.
  • Report any accidents, injuries, loss or damage suffered during the festival before leaving the festival.
  • Represent cycling and bike touring in a positive light. Organizers require you to refrain from using bad language and any anti-social behavior during the festival.
  • Behave with respect to other participants, volunteers and organizers at all times. Oppressive behavior (i.e. patriarchal, racist, sexist, etc.) discriminatory, demeaning and harassing language or anti-social conduct will not be tolerated in any form.
  • Respect the volunteers and organizers property and that of other participants. You are responsible for damage or loss you incur and are liable for replacement and repair costs.
  • Contact the organisers immediately if you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns.
  • Not litter at any time.
  • Keep noise to a minimum between 10pm and 7am.
  • Keep alcohol consumption to a reasonable level. Drunkenness or under-age drinking is not tolerated and may be referred to the police.
  • Don't smoke within 25 meters of the meal and rest places.
  • Don't use drugs at the festival. Presence of drugs may be referred to the police.
  • Respect landowners and public space at any time. The organizers have planned comfort stops along the route so please check with them – it could well be the case that a comfortable toilet block is just minutes away.
  • Be aware that the organisers may ask you to help and act at a specific time in order to keep the festival running on schedule.

3. CANCELLATION POLICY

Please note that the Velotour is a community event, so your registration cannot be resold to someone else. You can cancel and get a full refund up to two weeks before the festival.

Last but not least, if you agree with the code of conduct above, we are very much looking forward to welcoming you at the Velotour Festival. Please smile, relax and enjoy yourself!

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License and it's mainly based on work from the Conference Code of Conduct, the Mulga Bicycle Tours Code of Conduct and the Berlin Code of Conduct.