newsnet 09.06.06

The weekly newsletter for members of CTC

 

 

News

 

Revolution!

According to a front-page report this week in The Independent, clogged roads, concern at global warming caused by air pollution and the quest for improved fitness are persuading millions to opt for pedal power. CTC’s Adam Coffman is quoted as saying: "Central government cannot take much credit for the growth in cycling because the money has not been put in. This has been a movement from the bottom up led from places like London. The growth is very encouraging but we still lack a cycling culture in Britain. There is a tendency to think you need to don special clothes and buy an expensive bike whereas cycling needs to be seen as part of normal activity - what you do to go to the shops, school or work." Read the full article here

Average speed of a car in London is just 7mph

Citroen has commissioned 'gridlock' research to promote a car designed for such conditions, a car that shuts off its engine when stuck in jams. The French car maker admits that Britain’s rush hour motorist is spending up to half the journey at a standstill. An average cyclist, by contrast, can travel at 12-15mph, twice the speed of a car in rush-hour London. During an average one-hour commute a driver in central London will cover just 6.8 miles during rush-hour. In Cardiff, the average standstill time for a motorist is a whopping 30 minutes, half of the one-hour commute time. Read the full story at Bikeforall.net here

 

3-minute wonders

Channel 4 has announced the winners of its new documentary competition, which asked emerging filmmakers to take inspiration from the ITN archive to pitch an idea for a short documentary on the theme 'bicycle'. Four winning pitches – which range from the inspirational to the humorous to the historical – will now be made into 3-minute films by the winners.

The completed documentaries will be shown on Channel 4's 3 Minute Wonder slot from 24th – 27th July.

 

Messing about near the river

From the buzz of bees to the splosh of a water vole – cycling alongside Britain's waterways provides a great opportunity to watch wildlife. British Waterways takes care of more than 2,000 miles of canals and rivers in England, Scotland and Wales and has asked for help from CTC members to help monitor the wildlife that lives on them. The online survey can be found here

 

What’s on?

 

Just turn up and ride

It’s not too late to take a summer’s ride this Sunday with TV cycling commentator David Duffield and designer of the Moulton bicycle, Alex Moulton. Hundreds of people are expected to take to two wheels as the ‘David Duffield Challenge’ will feature a choice of rides for all abilities; from family distances right up to a gruelling 150km option. All the routes pass through rolling countryside and take in many of Wiltshire’s historic sites including the chalk White Horses, Avebury Rings and Salisbury Plain. All riders taking part in the day are invited for tea at the home of Alex Moulton – designer of the small-wheeled bicycle. More information here

 

In your area…

The CTC online events page is regularly updated. Find cycling events in your area here

 

Products

 

Eye up this deal

Protect your eyes this summer from the sun and insects alike with a pair of sunglasses from the CTC shop. We have an extensive range of models from brands like Oakley, Adidas and Briko. The 10% CTC members’ discount is available on the vast majority of items on the site, but even greater savings are available. For example, save 33% off the price of a pair of Adidas Gazelle Pro glasses here

 

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

 

CTC info

 

Buddy up

BikeBUDi.com is the UK's first website aimed at matching together cyclists travelling in the same direction. The idea is not just to help existing cyclists, but also to encourage individuals who may be concerned about cycling to give it a go. By putting experienced cyclists in touch with those willing to give it a try it is hoped that this will reduce some of the usual reasons for not cycling.

 

CTC Campaigns

 

Twenty is plenty

Portsmouth could be the first city in the UK to have a blanket 20mph speed limit on its residential roads – something that CTC has been campaigning for at a national level for several years. The measures have been voted in by local councillors as part of their Local Transport Plan, in a bid to cut collisions and save lives. Other areas that are seriously considering this policy include Newcastle upon Tyne and the London Borough of Southwark.

 

All Wales Coastal Path

The Welsh Assembly Government has announced plans to open up more of the Welsh coastline to cyclists, as part of a plan to encourage more tourism and access to coastal regions. The First Minister Rhodri Morgan said that in the long run there are plans to link up all the Welsh coastal paths into one All Wales Coastal Path. CTC Off-Road Campaigner Richard George said, "Once again England is being shown up by progressive access reforms in Wales and Scotland. English coastal access for cyclists leaves much to be desired, and the Welsh are leading the way with these new proposals."

 

Tory plans

The Conservative Party’s economic competitiveness policy group, led by John Redwood MP, has put forward several ideas which would have an affect on cycling as part of a 10-point transport plan to ease congestion. The proposals are the Party's "interim thinking" on how transport could be improved and include putting cycle lanes on pavements, allowing motorcycles into bus lanes and allowing vehicles to turn left on red lights. It’s by no means certain whether these measures will become Conservative policy, but we will be taking a close look at them nonetheless.

 

Member benefit

 

Cotswold Outdoor

Cotswold Outdoor is one of the UK's leading retailers of outdoor clothing, climbing and camping equipment. CTC members get 15% discount on clothing and equipment detailed in its summer and winter catalogues by quoting reference C2061 when ordering in store, by telephone or online (Use C2061 in the promotional code box when ordering over the web). To place an order or find details of your nearest store, phone 0870 442 7755 or visit www.cotswoldoutdoor.com

 

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