What is a Marshal
arshals are volunteers on bikes or foot who help other riders navigate the route, negotiate tricky intersections, fix flats and find their way to the food and water, first aid and bike repair stations. Marshals are also responsible for acting as good will ambassadors, spreading the joy and excitement of America's only fully urban century to riders and onlookers. Rolling marshals should be experienced cyclists with the ability to fix a flat tire. Stationary marshals do not need any prior experience.
Why be a Marshal?
Ride free, get great perks and enjoy the satisfaction of helping fellow cyclists. All marshals will get a special Marshal t-shirt and a NYC Century Bike Tour water bottle as well as an invitation to a fun picnic after the ride. All marshals who turn in Incident Report forms (including those who have no incidents to report) at the Finish on Ride Day will be entered to win one of two free massages. There are many different teams from which to choose to suit your sleeping and traveling needs, including rolling and stationary positions.
New Marshals
If you have not marshaled the NYC Century Bike Tour before, we ask that you attend a fun pre-ride on Sunday, August 24th followed by a relaxing picnic in Astoria Park where we'll do a quick orientation session. And, don't worry, the pre-ride won't start at the crack of dawn!
What are the duties of a Marshal?
- Ride, ride, ride! 15, 35, 55, 75 or 100 miles of urban bliss (keeping one eye out for riders in distress) on Sunday, September 7th.
- Stop, stop, stop! when you spot a rider in distress and at key intersections. Of course, like everyone else, you are encouraged to stop at our five fabulous rest stops.
- Show up for marshal check-in at least 1/2 hour before your group leaves. So 7:30 am for the 15-milers, 7 am for the 35-milers, 6:30 am for the 55-milers, 6 am for the 75-milers and 5:30 am for the 100-milers. We'll need your help directing riders through registration.
- No marshal sign-up will be allowed on ride day.
- Read more Marshal Instructions for the day of the tour.
How do I sign up?
Sign up online or print out the Marshal Opportunities Brochure and Sign-Up Form and Registration Form/Waiver and fax it to (212) 629-8334 or mail it to T.A. at 127 West 26th St. #1002 New York, NY 10001. You can also sign up using a regular
tour brochure (PDF) and writing "Marshal" across the payment section.
-OR-
If your printer's on the fritz, you can either fill out the on-line request form for receiving the tour brochure and registration form (please indicate in the comment section that you also need the full Marshal packet), send us e-mail or call us at 212-629-8080 and we'll send you a marshal packet and registration form in the mail.
Materials
Marshal Vest & Bib
On Ride Day, marshals who begin at the Central Park Start will need to pick up your special Marshal vest & bib when you check in. We ask that you wear the vest & bib throughout the ride. Marshals who will not be at the Central Park Start will be given their vests & bibs by their team captain at the team meeting point on Ride Day.
Water Bottle & Shirt
In addition to the shirt, all Marshals will receive a NYC Century Bike Tour water bottle & shirt at the Finish. Marshals who will not be at the Finish can request a water bottle and shirt by calling 212-629-8080 or e-mailing volunteer@transalt.org.
Marshal Packet
On Ride Day, you will also receive a Marshal Packet that will include a Cycle Doc kit, Accident Instructions, Incident Report Cards, Ride timeline and Rest stop closing times.
Free Massage!
All marshals who turn in Incident Report forms (including those who have no incidents to report) at the Finish on Ride Day or by mail after the ride will be entered to win one of two free massages.
The 10 R's of Marshaling
- Review! Look through the turnsheet to re-familiarize yourself with the route—which you will have already ridden on a pre-ride.
- Ride! Your team captain will let you know where in the wave you will ride.
- Respect! Be a good example for the riders by respecting the rules of the road; be particularly respectful of pedestrians.
- Regulate! Help your riders navigate tricky sections and ride responsibly.
- Repair! Stop for riders with problems with their bike, body or spirit.
- Refer! Always call 911 first. You can also call the number of the emergency medics listed in your Marshal Packet.
- Report! Fill out and send in reports (use the cards given in your Marshal Packet) for ALL accidents you see.
- Refuel! Rest, water and munch at the six fabulous rest stops.
- Return! Shepard your riders safely to the Finish within the ride time parameters (see your Marshal Packet for timing guides).
- Reward yourself! Pick up your tour water bottle at the Finish and join us for a post-ride BBQ on a date to be named.
Congratulations in advance on a great ride and thanks for all of your hard work!
Marshal Day-of-Tour Instructions
For Marshals Who Begin at Central Park
- Be thoroughly familiar with the NYC Century Ride Guide that you will receive by mail in early September.
- Bring your team plan if you are a member of special team and other ride essentials (see the Ride Guide and Marshal Guide for helpful checklists).
- When you arrive at Central Park, look for the special volunteer entrance at 110th and Lenox Avenue. Please arrive fifteen to twenty minutes before your team release time (e-mail volunteer@transalt.org if you do not know your assignment time). If you arrive earlier, you will just have to wait until your team release time, so please do not arrive early.
- Check in at the Marshal Staging Area. Pick up your Marshal packet, vest & bib and familiarize yourself with the contents.
- WAIT until your release time. Enjoy the beautiful morning and get to know your fellow marshals!
- Do NOT enter the Start area before it is open to regular riders. We appreciate your interest in the operation, but by making us have to ask you return to the marshal area, you delay the start and encourage regular riders to enter the Start area before it opens. Please, stay out of the Start area until it is open to all riders.
- Ride!
- Return to the Finish and turn in your Incident Report Cards (blank for no incidents and filled out in full for incidents) at the Marshal Check-In table. You will then be entered in a raffle for a free massage.
- Pick up your ride t-shirt and water bottle. If you left your own t-shirt in the holding box at the beginning, don't forget to retrieve it at the Marshal Check-In table.
For Marshals Who DO NOT Begin At Central Park
- Be thoroughly familiar with the NYC Century Ride Guide that you will receive by mail in early September.
- Bring your team plan and other ride essentials (see the Ride Guide and Marshal Guide for helpful checklists).
- When you arrive at your meeting point (see the Team Plan), look for your team captain. Please arrive at the time indicated on your team schedule.
- Check in with your captain. She/he will give you your Marshal packet, vest and water bottle. Please put on the Marshal t-shirt and familiarize yourself with the contents of the Marshal Packet.
- Marshal!
- If you ride to the Central Park Finish, please turn in your Incident Report Cards ("no incidents" for no incidents and filled out in full for incidents) at the Marshal Check-In table. You will then be entered in a raffle for a free massage. If you do not ride to the Central Park Finish, please mail your Incident Report Cards to Transportation Alternatives, 127 W. 26th St, #1002, New York, NY 10001 by September 18th. We will enter you in the raffle for one of two free massages.
Special Team Marshal Captain Duties
- Be thoroughly familiar with your Team Plan and be prepared to follow it by heart (or close!) on Ride Day. If you have any questions or concerns about the plan, please call Annie at 212-629-8080 or e-mail volunteer@transalt.org.
- Be thoroughly familiar with the location of your assignment. If you are new to the location, we strongly encourage you to visit the location in advance.
- Pick up the Marshal packets, vests and bibs and water bottles for your team members at the start. Brooklyn Bridge team members will get these materials at the bridge. If you will not be able to pick them up, we can mail them to you (please let us know well in advance so that we can be sure that they reach you before Ride Day).
- Greet your team members at your designated meeting point. Hand out their Marshal T-shirts, packets and water bottles. Please make sure that all Marshals wear the Marshal t-shirt.
- Review the Team Plan together. Choose people for positions or special assignments as needed.
- Review marshal duties with them.
- Review the cards in your marshal packet.
- Lead your team through the Team Plan. Check on your marshals as needed to make sure that all is well.
- Let your marshals know when the assignment is over.
- Thank them!
- Remind your team to turn in their Incident Report cards at the Marshal Check-In table at the Finish or by mail (to the T.A. office) by September 18th.
- THANK YOU! Enjoy the ride or trip home.
Accident Instructions: Non-Serious Injury
- Protect the victim from oncoming riders and traffic by stopping several other riders and putting them between the victim and oncoming riders and traffic. Keep the flow of riders moving smoothly around the victim.
- Don't move the victim unless he/she insists. If the victim decides to move, help her/him get safely out of the way, being sure that the flow riders and traffic remains smooth.
- Use your Cycle Doc medical kit and/or mechanical help. Make sure that the victim's body and bicycle are safe to continue riding. If you're incapable of helping the victim, ask another marshal to help.
- Council the rider on whether to continue. Inform the rider how far he/she is from the next Rest Stop, where there will be first aid and limited bicycle repair. Also let her/him know where the closest subway station is. Remember, there is no SAG to pick them up.
- FILL OUT AN INCIDENT REPORT CARD BEFORE THE RIDER LEAVES THE SCENE. Return the card to the Marshal table at the Finish in Central Park.
Accident Instructions: Serious Injury
- Protect the victim from oncoming riders and traffic by stopping several other riders and putting them between the victim and oncoming riders and traffic. Keep the flow of riders moving smoothly around the victim.
- Don't move the victim.
- CALL 911. Use a cell phone or stay with the victim and have other marshals or riders call.
- Be ready to help the ambulance get to the victim. Work with the other marshals to keep riders moving.
- Fill out an incident report card before the rider leaves the scene. Return the card to the Marshal table at the Finish in Central Park. Make sure that the responding police officer takes the victim's tagged bicycle to the police station. If there is no police officer at the accident site, take the bicycle to the next rest stop, where it will stay for the day. If the victim does not retrieve it that day, it will be held at the T.A. office.
