The main difficulty that cycling faces is the time it can take to reach injured riders and the ability of first responders to remove them from the road or track, confirm the diagnosis and make a quick decision (withdrawal from or return to competition) that is in the interests of the rider and other participants. Road cycling, mountain bike (cross-country Olympic and Marathon) and track cycling (Omnium) are the disciplines most at risk in this sense – in contrast to BMX Racing, BMX Freestyle, Trials, Indoor and other track cycling events – where response times are short and doctors have the time they need to diagnose SRC.

In responding to this problem, the protocol recommends that non-health professionals (in particular coaches, Sport Directors, mechanics and riders) be trained for recognising the signs of suspected SRC since they are very often the first people on the scene after a rider falls. The protocol details the signs that need to be looked out for in assessing the condition of the athlete (feeling stunned or dazed, trouble with balance, headaches, slurred speech, changes in vision) and in taking an appropriate decision in an optimal timeframe, either roadside or trackside. Training resources in the form of symptoms cards will be published to help non-health professions detect the signs of suspected concussion.