Setouchi Shimanami Kaido International Cycling Meeting "CYCLING Shimanami"
Event Rules

Participants agree to read and fully understand all of the “Event Rules” below, and cooperate in the smooth operation of the event. The “Bicycle Class Rules” and other rules to follow when riding are defined elsewhere. Any other important regulations not found in this document will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
Participants should make efforts to obtain the latest information on this event through official web site and other media channels.

1 General Notes

  • 1. Participants agree to the “Event Rules” and the “Bicycle Class Rules” as well as confirm the details of each Course, riding manners, and other important matters in advance.
  • 2. Participants must observe all traffic regulations, obey the rules and directions stipulated by the organizer, and not obstruct traffic.
  • 3. Participants are responsible for their own safety and health.
  • 4. Participants not in compliance with the “Event Rules”, “Bicycle Class Rules”, and other rules, and who have ignored warnings from event staff, may have their right to participate revoked.

2 Participant Eligibility and Bicycle Use

(1) Participant eligibility
Participants must judge themselves to be in good health and as possessing the ability to complete their selected course within the time limit.
  • a. International Cycling Course
    i. Participants must be in their first year of high school or older and have previously completed a cycling event over 60 km in distance.
  • b. Shimanami-Kaido Fureai Course
    i. Participants must be in grade 4 of elementary school or older and able to ride on their own. Children in elementary school or junior high school must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.
(2) Bicycle Class
  • 1. Bicycles shall be freewheel with gears and both of front and rear brakes in perfect working condition. Detailed regulations regarding class of bicycle, handlebar shape, accessories, and attachments are defined separately in the “Bicycle Class Rules”.
    • i. International Cycling Course/ A-E
      1. Sports type bicycles, defined as Road race bicycles / Mountain bicycles / Crossover bicycles / small tire diameter bicycles (over 16 inches and below 24 inches )
    • ii. Shimanami-Kaido Fereai Course / F-H
      1. Sports type bicycles, City bicycles (with multiple speeds only)
    • iii. Shimanami-Kaido Fureai Course / I
      1. Sports type bicycles, City bicycles (with multiple speeds) and Tandem bicycles
  • 2.  The following types of bicycles have been deemed to be high- risk for accident in a group event such as this one, and are not allowed: Piste bicycles (fixed gear bicycles), Recumbent bicycles, Handcycles (with gears), bicycles with training wheels or attached trailers, City bicycles without gears, and bicycles with an auxiliary chair for children.
  • 3. Bicycles not found in the allowed “Bicycle Class” for each course are not allowed.

3 About Bicycles and Accessories

1. Bicycle Inspection
  • a. Participants must prepare their bicycles in accordance with the Bicycle Class Rules. All bicycles must be equipped with a head light, tail light or light reflectors, and a bell.
  • b. Participants are required to submit a self-conducted bicycle inspection report at the reception on the day before the event.
  • c. On the day of the event, event staff will conduct visual inspections of bicycles.
  • d. If the organizer finds a dangerously altered bicycle or a participant being an obstacle to the functioning of the event, the rider will not be allowed to participate.
2. Bicycle theft and damage
  • a. The organizer does not take responsibility for theft, damage, loss, etc of bicycles.
  • b. The participants are responsible for basic precautions such as locking their bicycles, and are encouraged to insure their bicycles.
3. Clothing
  • a. Participants should wear clothing that is suitable for exercise and highly visible.
  • b. Costumes and fursuits are not allowed.
  • c. Participants must wear helmets while riding and are encouraged to wear gloves to protect themselves from injury in case of a fall.
4. Accessories and Recommended Equipment
  • a. Participants must attach their number to their clothing, as the registration numbers are used by the organizer to identify individual participants.
  • b. Participants who lose or forgot their numbers (with passage check tip), number plate or helmet sticker are not allowed to participate.
  • c. Participants are in principal required to repair flat tires on their own. Please carry the necessary tools, an air pump and a spare inner tube.
  • d. Participants are not allowed to carry items in the basket of their bicycles when riding because of the danger falling items could pose to others.
  • e. Please carry gear appropriate for the weather (rain gear, wind breakers, etc).
  • f. Participants should carry their health insurance card, cell phone and money in case of emergency.
  • g. Participants are encouraged to bring food and drinks or a water bottle.

4 During the Event

1. General riding rules
  • a. Participants must obey the Event Rules and other precautions designated by each course separately.
  • b. Participants must to obey directions given by police officers, security guards and event staff.
  • c. If a participant’s riding is judged to be dangerous, they will be given a warning. If their behavior is not changed or is judged to be malicious, they may be disqualified.
  • d. Highways were not originally designed for bicycle traffic. The organizer will take measures to provide a safe environment for participants, but participants are also responsible for riding safely.
  • e. Once on regular roads, participants must observe all applicable traffic regulations, such as, keep to the left and riding in single file.
  • f. Participants who notice an abnormality in their physical condition should stop riding immediately.
2. Traffic regulations applicable to both the highway and regular roads
  • a. Participants must ride in a speed and manner that does not pose any harm or danger to others, changing their pace in accordance to road conditions.
  • b. This event is not a race measuring rank or time, so participants must obey all instructions from police officers, safety guards and event staff.
  • c. Participants on each course must stay behind the staff guide.
  • d. All courses are one-way only. Participants may not ride backwards.
  • e. Participants must maintain a distance from each other sufficient to prevent accidents due to sudden braking.
  • f. Do not make unnecessary turns or stops.
  • g. When passing other participants is unavoidable, participants should give physical and verbal signals. Participants must ride safely and make mutual concessions.
  • h. If event staff judge a participant unable to finish within the time limit or unable to continue riding, they will be picked up in a vehicle. Participants must accept the judgments made by event staff.
  • i. Participants must turn on their lights during inclement weather, at sunset, and in tunnels.
  • j. One rider per bicycle with the exception of tandem bicycles.
  • k. Participants involved in or witness to an accident should alert staff immediately. If there is no staff available, participants should contact with the event headquarters directly.
3. Traffic regulations specific to highways
  • a. Each course takes different exits from the highways to general roads (IC). Please check the exits in advance.
  • b. Walls and guard rails on the main highway are low, so participants should ride in the left car lane of the Northbound lane (nobori shasen) rather than keeping to the shoulder.
  • c. On one lane sections, participants should ride in two lines in the center of the lane.
  • d. The Southbound lane (kudari shasen) is reserved for emergency vehicles. Participants are not allowed to enter.
  • e. When emergency vehicles use the main lane of the highway, all traffic must stop.
  • f. Participants are not allowed to stop except in case of accidents or other unavoidable circumstance like the above.
  • g. Participants are not allowed to take pictures while riding or stop to take pictures.
  • h. Participants who are deemed an obstruction to the resumption of normal traffic will be told to board the accommodation vehicle.
4. Traffic regulations for regular roads and bicycle and pedestrian areas
  • a. Participants must obey all traffic regulations such as riding single file and keeping left.
  • b. Participants must be mindful of pedestrians and other vehicles.
  • c. Ride in single file. No dangerous riding such as erratic lane changing, cutting in front of others or unsafe passing.
  • d. On narrow roads, attached way or bridge sections, where extra attention is required, passing and riding in multiple lines is banned.
  • e. When riding on curved and other roads with poor visibility, participants should expect oncoming cars and keep left.
  • f. Participants are not allowed to stray from the course. If this is done intentionally, the offending riders will be disqualified.
  • g. Rider’s intentionally passing guidance staff will be given warnings.
  • h. Follow all course guidance and signage.
  • i. Use basic hand-signals for safety.
  • j. When stopping for unavoidable reasons, riders should check back and front, give a sign to the riders behind them, stop slowly and move to a safer area such as a sidewalk.
  • k. When riding participants are responsible for checking for approaching automobiles.
  • l. Follow the direction of the course staff, safety guards and guidance board to stay on the correct course.
  • m. Family and friends are not allowed to drive parallel to your bicycle. This is dangerous and an obstruction to traffic.
5. Bicycle Repair
  • a. If your bicycle breaks down, move your bicycle to a safe place like the emergency parking area on the side of the highway or the sidewalk before doing repairs.
  • b. If you cannot fix the problem by yourself, please seek help from the nearest staff member.
  • c. Participants should learn to do simple repairs like changing a flat tire before participating in this event.
  • d. We offer mechanical service at the starting point and aid stations. If replacement parts are needed, the participant is responsible for any resulting costs.

5 Checkpoints and retirement

1. Checkpoints
  • a. Checkpoints are set up as shown in the charts below on the main lane of the highway, regular roads (aid station) and at the finish. Each checkpoint has a closing time, and all participants except for those wishing to quit must pass through before then. The closing times may be changed.
  • b. Participants who do not pass through checkpoints before the closing time will be directed by event staff to board the rescue vehicle.
  • c. If time is up while a participant is between checkpoints, they will be boarded onto the accommodation vehicle once they reach the next checkpoint. Follow the instructions of event staff in that case.
  • d. On highway lines, if a participant is judged unable to finish within the allotted closing times, they will be directed to board the rescue vehicle regardless of the closing time of the next check point. Follow the instruction by the staff in that case.

【Express way】

Course Checkpoint Distance from starting point Start time closing time (could change) approximate passing time
A Oshima-minami IC about 13km 250 participants  every five minutes
from 7:45 to 8:20
10:15 9:05
Hakata-jima IC about 23km 10:50 9:45
Omishima IC about 30km 10:50 10:15
Setoda PA about 33km 10:40 10:35
Setoda BS about 38km 10:55 10:50
B Oshima-minami IC about 13km 250 participants every five minutes
from 8:25 to 8:40
10:15 9:25
Hakata-jima IC about 23km 10:50 10:05
Omishima IC about 30km 10:50 10:35
Setoda PA about 33km 11:00 10:55
C Oshima-minami IC about 13km Start at 8:45 10:15 9:30
Hakata-jima IC about 23km 10:50 10:10
Omishima IC about 30km 10:50 10:40
Setoda PA about 33km 11:05 11:00
D Oshima-minami IC about 13km Start at 8:50 10:15 9:35
Hakata-jima IC about 23km 10:50 10:15
Omishima IC about 30km 10:50 10:45
Setoda PA about 33km 11:10 11:05
E Oshima-minami IC about 13km 250 participants  every five minutes
from 8:55 to 9:30
10:15 10:10
Hakata-jima IC about 23km 10:50 10:45
F Setoda PA about 3km 100 participants every three minutes
from 7:40 to 7:52
8:10 8:05
G Omishima IC about 7km 250 participants  every five minutes
from 7:40 to 7:45
8:15
Setoda PA about 10km 8:50 8:45
H Hakata-jima IC about 4km 250 participants  every five minutes
from 7:40 to 7:45
8:00

*Closing time: If a rider cannot pass each point within the time limit, they will be unable to continue riding.
*Approximate passing time: Use these times as guidelines to help you finish within the time limit.

【General road Aid Station/ finish】

Course Checkpoint closing time (could change) approximate passing time
A Manda-hakko AS 11:50 11:50
Mukaishima Junior High School AS 13:45 13:45
Minato-Oasis Onomichi<finish> 15:00 15:00
B Setoda Sunset Beach AS 12:35 12:35
Tatara-Shimanami Park AS 14:20 13:10
Hakata S/C Park AS 15:00 13:50
Yoshiumi Rose Park AS 15:50 14:40
Shimanami Earth Land<finish> 17:00 17:00
C Tateishi Port AS 12:45 12:45
Yuge Port<finish> 16:00 16:00
D Nagae Port AS 12:35 12:35
Iwagi Port<finish> 15:00 15:00
E Tatara-Shimanami Park AS 11:30
Omishima City Hall Branch AS 13:10 13:10
Tatara-Shimanami Park AS<lunch> 14:20 14:20
Hakata S/C Park AS 15:00 15:00
Yoshiumi Rose Park AS 15:50 15:50
Shimanami Earth Land<finish> 17:00 17:00
F Tatara-Shimanami Park AS 14:20 14:20
G Tatara-Shimanami Park AS 10:10
Hakata S/C Park AS 12:00 12:00
H Tatara-Shimanami Park AS 9:10
Hakata S/C Park AS 10:20
Miyakubo-ishibunka undo Park<finish> 12:00 12:00

*Closing time: Participants who do not leave each Aid Station by the allotted time will not be allowed to continue riding. Riders who do not make it to the finish by the allotted time will not be certified as having completed the course.
*Approximate passing time: Use these times as guidelines for finish within the time limit.

2. Retirement
  • 1. Participants must speak with event staff if they wish to retire from the event because of equipment failure or adverse physical condition. Do not quit without speaking to staff first.
  • 2. The participants who retired will be taken to an accommodation vehicle or ambulance.
  • 3. Participants who have retired should remove their numbers from their clothing and bicycles.。

6 Reception and Starting Points

(1)Reception
  • 1. Check in at the reception desk at the place you chose when you applied on the day before the event (October 25).
  • 2. Participants must go to the reception desk they chose at the time of registration.
  • 3. If you fail to check in during reception hours, you will not be allowed to participate.
  • 4. Reception will not be held on the day of the event.
(2) Starting Points
  • 1. Parts of the Shimanami Kaido highway will be closed from 6:00am on the day of the event (October 26) along with some roads near the designated starting points on the Imabari IC. Please come to your directed starting point.
  • 2. Participants who applied to use a parking lot can park their car in the designated parking space.
  • 3. Participants are responsible for their transportation from parking areas to the starting points.
  • 4. Participants who do not arrive at the starting point by the designated time will be disqualified and are not entitled to refunds.

7 Exemption of Liability

1. Cancellation or suspension of the event
  • a. The organizer may cancel or suspend the event due to natural disaster, inclement weather, accidents, emergency situations, infectious disease outbreaks, etc.
  • b. Entry fees will not be returned in the case that the event is cancelled due to events such as inclement weather or unsafe road conditions beyond the organizer’s control.
2. Event insurance
  • a. Compensation for illness and injury of participants is limited to that specified within the range of the accident insurance provided by the organizer except when the result of an intentional act or gross negligence by the organizer.
  • b. Damage or theft of bicycle, helmet or wear is not covered by the insurance provided by the organizer. Participants are encouraged to purchase supplementary insurance on their own.

【Contents of accident insurance (could change)】

Coverage Period: Event start to finish

Coverage Benefits payment
Accidental Death Accidental Injury ¥5 million
Specified Diseases ¥5 million
Disability Accidental Injury ¥5 million max
Specified Diseases ¥5 million max
Medical Treatment in-patient
(per day)
Accidental Injury ¥5,000 (within 180 days)
Specified Diseases ¥5,000 (within 180 days)
outpatient
(per day)
Accidental Injury ¥3,000 (within 90 days)
Specified Diseases ¥3,000 (within 90 days)

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