newsnet 20.01.06

The weekly newsletter for members of CTC

 

News

 

Are you a local hero?

Volunteers are vital in keeping cycling alive at a local level, and CTC’s Voluntary Achievement Awards were set up last year to give them the recognition they deserve. You are free to nominate any CTC member or CTC-affiliated group. Awards will be presented at the annual dinner in April. Find out more and download a nomination form here

 

Cycling to go

CTC member John Mouatt is interested in establishing a network of around twenty people around the UK that would each operate within a 100-mile radius of their homes and be willing to transport cyclists, their bikes and gear up to 100 miles in any direction. Regions would be served by people in specified locations. For example, North Scotland would be served by someone in Inverness, the Northeast by Newcastle, and Wales by Newtown or Builth Wells etc. Those interested in learning more should email John at j.mouatt@...

 

Cambridge Police see the light

Cyclists who do not use lights at night could escape an official warning or a court summons under a sensible-sounding scheme currently offered by Police in Cambridge, reports the BBC this week.

Cyclists in the city - where a quarter of commuters travel by bike  - can avoid prosecution by buying lights within 14 days of being stopped. The scheme will run for a month-long trial and could be extended if it proves successful.

 

Cycling children are happiest

Robert Winston made his annual progress review of the Millennium Children of Our Time on BBC One on Sunday 15 January. In the first programme he attempted to measure happiness.  The most joyful child is revealed as Jamie, un-phased by daily injections of insulin to counter diabetes, he delights in lots of exercise, particularly riding his bike in the streets and on skateboard ramps.   More about the Millennium Children of Our Time project here

 

Hopping for the best

Mountain Unicycling needs to seen to be believed. If you need convincing, watch this short film on the BBC website

 

 

Cycle Magazine needs you

 

After requests from a large section of the membership to add a page to cycle magazine that focused purely on individuals, groups and DA’s at a local level, Local News was created.  However, after a blistering start, the well received page is in danger because not enough of you are sending in your stories.  The page, created to represent the membership relies on the membership, so if you or your group have been out there doing it for cycling, or you know of anyone who you feel should be recognised in the pages of cycle, please send you stories and digital pictures to David.Douglas@...   

 

 

Products

 

‘Camelbaks’ range from fairly basic but sleek designs that hold 2 litres, to more sophisticated larger-capacity models that double up as backpacks. We have something to suit your type of cycling here

 

The CTC shop can be found at www.ctcshop.com or feel free to give us a call on 0870 873 0069

 

 

CTC Campaigns

 

Bad driving offences

Newsnet has already reported on the tabling of the Government’s proposed reforms to the framework of “bad driving offences” (notably the well-intentioned but misguided proposal for a new offence of “causing death by careless driving”) and the Lords’ more seriously misguided reasons for rejecting the proposed 5-year custodial sentence (on the grounds that drivers should not risk being locked up for what the Lords believed might be only a “momentary lapse of attention”).  If only the Lords realised how rarely drivers are prosecuted for “dangerous” driving (despite “dangerous” driving being commonplace in any lay-person’s understanding of the word); how often drivers are therefore prosecuted instead on “carelessness” charges (with trifling sentences) when the driving offence is clearly far more serious; how this traumatises those who have been seriously injured or bereaved; and how deeply it undermines efforts to promote much greater driver awareness of their responsibilities for the safety of other road users.

 

Earlier this week, CTC met Government officials to discuss our own proposals to revise the bad driving legal frame work; we feel these would be a far clearer and more effective way to ensure that the legal system signalled society’s clear disapproval of bad driving.  They can also be downloaded from CTC’s Road Safety Bill campaign webpage, from which you can also automatically email your MP in support of CTC’s proposals on this and other aspects of the Bill.

 

 

Southern trains in disarray

The Southern Railway policy to enforce their cycle curfew descends further into disarray, in its first week of operation.  Feedback to CTC website and to the dedicated campaigners’ website shows that aside from some really petty hassling of people with folding bikes to fold these at the barrier and carry them, many are continuing with business as usual. Taking the ban to the letter, it only affects trains going to and from London & Brighton, so you can catch any other services, and once on the train the staff are instructed not to risk delays by trying to get you off.  If there is no barrier at your starting station, the company also admits that they have very little they can do to stop you getting on any train. Southern Trains have a online survey form and don’t forget to email your MP the bike rail issue

Member benefit

 

50% off ETA membership fee to CTC members

ETA is a roadside rescue service with a difference. The company provides rescue within one hour, full recovery, home rescue and rest-of-Europe cover at very competitive prices, 365 days- a- year. ETA uses its profits to campaign to raise awareness of the impact of excessive car use and helps individuals to make positive changes in their travel habits. For further information call ETA on 0800 212 810 or visit their website www.eta.co.uk  Please quote reference number 1281-2001 to benefit from a 50% discount when joining.

 

Receiving this newsletter

 

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