Safety at Santos Tour Down Under
Cyclists at the Santos Tour Down Under travel at high speeds and on many occasions, as fast as motor vehicles. They cannot swerve or stop suddenly to avoid objects or people. If you are attending the event, please consider the following safety precautions:
General safety tips
Stand well back from the edges of the road during the race. Cyclists will often use the edges of the road to overtake
- Do not stand on the road
- Do not hold objects in the path of riders during the race - i.e. flags, cameras
- Do not attempt to touch riders
- Do not leave or throw any object onto the road
- Do not sit on the side of the road - sit well back from the edge |
- Do not leave prams on the side of the road
- Monitor children and prams at all times
- Keep pets on a leash and keep them well back from the road at all times
- Take all rubbish with you
Road closures
The Santos Tour Down Under operates fully closed roads for the Down Under Classic and Stage 6 race circuits and at all start and finish locations of the regional stages (Stages 1 - 5). Roads will be closed and detour signs will be in place. A rolling road closure system will be in place for the remainder of the race routes on Stages 1-5. This means the police will temporarily close roads for up to 20 minutes to allow the race to pass by. The race convoy, which includes the 140 cyclists and up to 50 vehicles and police motorbikes, will be followed by the Green Light Vehicle. Once the Green Light Vehicle has passed by, the road will be reopened by the police.
Roadside safety - keep off the roads
Cycling can be a dangerous sport for both competitors and spectators. To keep out of harm's way, please remember that riders and support vehicles use both sides of the road. Listen for advance warnings from the South Australian Police, ensure that all spectators including children are well back from the side of the road at all times, and pets remain on a leash.
In the sprint to the finish lines, riders can reach speeds in excess of 60km/hr. Please ensure all items such as photography equipment and promotional items do not impede the riders' path.
Sun protection
Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world, so it is important that you protect your skin from the sun, arm yourself with plenty of sunscreen, sunglasses, a bid shady hat and stay in the shade wherever possible. Free sunscreen will be available at all race finishes and at the Cancer Council SA stands. For more information on sun protection and skin cancer, call the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20.
