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Council asked whether the unfinished bike park is insurable; CIRA recommends engineering review, signage and design steps
Summary
Council members asked about the bike‑park project. CIRA recommended an engineer review, signage/ordinances and design approval to preserve immunities and reduce liability; presenter said waivers are not always required for open parks but are useful for paid, controlled operations.
Council members raised their ongoing bike‑park project and whether the facility in its current state is insurable. A council member described the park as paved and appearing usable but noted it lacked engineering stamps and formal approval.
Eurek Young advised that an engineer review and documented design approval will strengthen the city’s position; he said some pump tracks and skate parks can rely on hazardous‑activity immunities and prominent signage to alert users, but an engineered design and, where appropriate, waivers and controlled access provide stronger risk transfer. "You'd have signage notice all those type of things... It's a high risk activity that you essentially help mitigate some of the risk there as far as the design itself," Young said. For paid, controlled venues such as the skating rink, he recommended waivers; for open, unfenced parks, he said prominent warnings and design fixes can suffice.
Why it matters: The council is actively engaged in the bike‑park project; engineering and documentation decisions now will affect insurability, indemnity options and potential claim outcomes. Young offered to help identify designers and sample signage language and to review whether available waivers or ordinances apply.
Next steps: Staff to consider an engineer review, possible signage/ordinance language and whether to pursue tailored coverage or design changes before opening the facility for general use.
