All riders are covered by third party insurance for the duration of the event. The cost of this is included in your entry fee. In addition, Rather Be Cycling is covered for civil party liability.
It is mandatory that all riders wear a safety-approved cycling helmet complying with latest EN1078, ANSI Z90/4 or SNELL standards. Any rider not wearing a helmet will not be covered by the event insurance and will be disqualified from the event and could be liable for damages if involved in an accident on that basis. The rider must accept this as a condition of entry. UK Cycling Events Ltd, Time Inc. (UK) Ltd and (where applicable*) Rather Be Cycling reserve the right to refuse entry to the event to anyone with inappropriate equipment or clothing.
Perhaps I have missed something, but this seems completely irrational.
Does the lack of a plastic hat cause negligent damage to third parties ?? ( . . . or increase the risk thereof ? )
Perhaps I missed the section that tells us that Personal Accident Insurance is included for each participant ?
If that were so, then I could understand why they would get wobbly about mandatory plastic hat wearing.
But no. I find this :-
Each participant will be fully responsible for any fees or costs incurred or arising from an accident either involving or caused by the rider. This includes, but is not exclusive to, fees from Police, Air Ambulance, Fire and Rescue and the Ambulance service. If the situation arises that you are not capable of making the decision to call the emergency services, the rider agrees that a member of UK Cycling Events Ltd, Time Inc. (UK) Ltd or (where applicable*) the Rather be Cycling Event Team or a member of the public may call for them. In this situation, the rider still accepts the costs and consequences of such actions.
I'm beginning to suspect legalistic-sounding, bull-product.