Right to ride to school – another school cycling ban
Wodensborough Community Technology College in Wednesbury has banned its pupils from cycling to school because of health and safety fears. The headteacher says they are concerned that pupils will be knocked down outside the busy school gates. Children have been stopped from bringing bikes onto the site and two pupils who’ve been parking their bikes outside have had them stolen. Schools cannot actually ban children from cycling to school, they can just prevent them from leaving a bike on the school premises, as they have done in this case. If you are aware of a school with a similar ban, please let us know through CTC’s Right to Ride to School campaign.
I pay road tax
When ranting about cyclists, motorists often say we don’t belong on the roads because we don’t pay road tax. Nick Bertrand’s comment on Twitter: “I pay road tax/VED for the car I rarely drive. Should I wear a copy of the tax disc on my jersey?” inspired Carlton Reid to design a special cycling shirt and set up a website. The fact is, nobody pays roads tax anymore as it was abolished by Winston Churchill in1936, for fear that drivers would think they owned the road. All cyclists pay for the roads too, as the money comes out of council tax and income tax. Motorists pay Vehicle Excise Duty as well.
Minister to go on a cycle tour
The Secretary of State for Transport Lord Adonis is a little different from most transport ministers: a month into his job he cycled round the London mainline stations to inspect their cycle parking, the outcome being a £14 million package of funding for thousands more spaces and a repair/hire ‘cycle hub’ at ten stations. He also toured the UK rail network, and the motorway network. This week at an event hosted by the Campaign for Better Transport, Lord Adonis agreed with the suggestion that he now undertake a cycle tour to see the good and the bad of conditions for cycling in Britain. Why not put your suggestions for places to see on the CTC forum?
1 in 20 train passengers to arrive by bike
Following Adonis’s tour of stations earlier in the year, he commissioned a report into how stations could be improved. That report, including a list of the 10 worst stations, was published this week and suggested a minimum standard for cycle parking should be 5% of the daily passengers, while the 91 biggest stations should have secure storage and a ‘cycle hub’. These are welcome standards but sadly many stations fall far below them – we’ve compiled a list and so far only two meet these criteria, with many of the biggest needing a hundred times as many spaces as they currently
have!
Antisocial cycling
“Instead of getting worked up about the perceived dangers of bad cycling, let's focus on changing the bad driving that killed 2,538 people on UK roads last year.” That’s the message from CTC’s Debra Rolfe in our latest post on the Guardian’s Bike Blog.
30 Seconds to Mars go cycling
This week’s video stars Hollywood actor Jared Leto, who is also part of the band 30 Seconds to Mars. The video for their latest song ‘Kings and Queens’ is beautifully shot and the reason it’s in Newsnet this week is because, yes you guessed it, it’s all about cycling!
Tales from the road - new online games
After the disaster that was Knockin’ Noggins, the Department for Transport brought out a new set of online road safety games: you’ll be happy to know they don’t include hitting helmetless child cyclists on the head to get points!
Cycling films from back in the day
If you want to know what it was like to cycle around in the 1930’s, you can watch this short archive film called ‘Cycling is booming again!’ There’s also some separate footage from 1931 of cyclists riding Victorian bikes, which was taken with the assistance of CTC!
CTC charity status
At the 2009 CTC AGM in Chester, members mandated National Council to evaluate options for the CTC’s charitable status and the operation of the Club, its companies and its charitable activities. Council concluded that CTC becoming a charity has major advantages and has decided to recommend to members at the 2010 AGM that the Club is converted to a charity. For more information and copies of the reports on which Council has based its decisions, and answers to the frequently asked questions, take a look at www.ctc.org.uk/charity.
CycleDigest out now
Issue 60 of CTC’s quarterly campaigning newsletter CycleDigest is out this week and a copy is on our website. Read all about making your council’s future Local Transport Plan cycle-friendly; the latest on road safety; how our partnership Workplace Challenges are encouraging employees to cycle more; a round-up of off-road, rights of way and recreation news; plus book reviews (with readers’ offer) and a list of new publications. You can also send us your comments on the CycleDigest via an online survey.
Cycle campaigners are ferry happy
A new ferry service from north Devon to Swansea has reversed its initial proposed ban on cycles following campaigning from local cyclists in Swansea. This is excellent news for many cyclists and offers an alternative Land’s End to John O’Groats route through mid-Wales. The ferry, which will take 50 minutes, is planned to start operating in the spring.
ATOC Cycle-Rail Awards
Applications are invited for the 2010 ATOC Cycle-Rail Awards. The Awards recognise the progress made by the rail industry and associated organisations (such as Local
Authorities) towards encouraging integrated cycle-rail travel. They will be held on the 3 February 2010 in the House of Commons Members’ Dining Room, at the invitation of the All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group. For entry details see the invitation for applications or visit www.cyclerail.com. Closing date for applications is 8 January 2010.
Johnny Helms RIP
Legendary cycling cartoonist and CTC member Johnny Helms has died aged 85. Johnny’s cartoons have graced the pages of Cycling Weekly since 1946. It is thought he is the longest continually published contributor of any publication in the UK and probably, the world. His cycling wit and wisdom will be missed by many.
Member Benefit: In the buff
CTC Festive Gift Membership is the perfect present that lasts all year and it comes with a free Buff® worth £18. It is the ideal present for a cyclist as it includes all the benefits of being a CTC member. Prices for CTC membership start at just £12, so it’s an affordable and practical present for the cyclist in your life. To order CTC Festive Gift Membership, simply call 0844 736 8451, quote 'Buff', give us the details of the lucky person and we'll do the rest! For delivery in time for Christmas please call before 15 December.
Newsnet
If you have something to share with over 25,000 CTC members please email links to websites, videos and images to publicity@... .
This Saturday 21st November is the annual Glendene cycle fair & jumble being
held once again in the Navestock village hall, Navestockside, near Brentwood. 1
admission, open from 09.30 to 2pm with refreshment available.
Then on Sunday 22nd the Havering have their Softees Ride, meet 09.45 for a 10am
start from Roomes, Station Rd, Upminster.
Well done to our Right to Ride reps Hilary Reed and Jon Spencer who both worked hard to convince the local council to put in a seafront cycle lane in Southsea near Portsmouth. The new on road cycle lane will also replace 150 parking spaces along the seafront, so stirred up a heated debate. Hilary told Newsnet:”I’m sure the new cycle route will encourage more people to get out of their cars and on to their bikes and that it will bring more visitors to the city. The planned route will also ease congestion in Southsea and will be the perfect place for families to cycle to together. I’m really looking forward to using the route.”
The Sun doesn’t shine on bobbies on bikes
After The Sun poked fun at it, police chiefs have distanced themselves from a 93-page long manual written by the police’s national working group for cycling training. A spokesperson for the Association of Chief Police Officers said of the Police Cycle Training Doctrine: “It was put forward by a group of well-meaning police officers with an interest in this area. ACPO will not be taking it forward.” Greg Woodford, who oversees CTC’s Cycle Training portfolio, said: “Although I’ve not seen the manual, I would say that cycle training is very important for all cyclists, whether they are police officers or members of the public. I’d recommend all police
cyclists attain their National Standard Level 3 and encourage police authorities to work alongside what has already been developed. I’d be more than happy to meet with them and work with them on cycle training for police cyclists.”
More cycling in New York
Cycling is on the rise in New York City, in fact it is up 26% on last year and that means it is up 66% in 2 years! There has also been investment in cycling facilities, including 200 miles of bike routes in the past three years. To find out more, watch this video of cyclists in NYC.
Is there any justice?
Charges against the driver involved in the death of Elspeth Kelman, who was struck by a car while cycling on the Isle of Arran in Scotland, were found not proven. This in effect means the driver, 28-year-old Nick Underdown, was not punished for her death, even though an investigator stated in his report that "there was no wrongdoing on the part of the cyclist". Elspeth was killed while on a cycling trip in memory of her late husband. Her sister, Frances Downie, said: "The shocking and violent nature of her death caused us horror, anger and agitation." It is because of cases like these that CTC is collating evidence to campaign for justice for cyclists - to find out more visit. www.stop-smidsy.org.uk.
Tonight: Drivers in the Dock
The one to watch on TV is CTC’s Policy Coordinator Chris Peck, who is on Tonight: Drivers in the Dock, presented by Fiona Foster. The programme is on tonight (what a surprise!) at 8pm. Chris is on a panel discussing the relationship between cyclists and motorists on Britain's busy roads in the light of an increase in cycling crashes.
Have your say on 5 Live
CTC’s Roger Geffen will be on the Richard Bacon programme on BBC Five Live on Monday from 11pm onwards. Roger will be discussing driver liability and the difference in the rules between Holland and the UK. As the show is a phone-in, feel free to share your views - it would be nice to have a change from just taxi drivers calling in!
Touring round Britain
If you’ve ever thought of just riding off into the sunset, you should read this inspiring and beautifully written article in the Observer about cycle touring around Britain’s coastline.
Cycling old timers
Another lovely and inspiring story appeared this week in The Herald about a remarkable group of ex-racing cyclists aged between 65 and 89 who still take to the saddle every week, come rain or shine, to reminisce about the old days. After cycling for 20 miles or so, they stop in the countryside south of Glasgow to light a fire, boil water for tea and tell stories of their exploits on two wheels; such gatherings, known as a ‘drum-ups’, were commonplace in the 1940s and 1950s, apparently. One of riders, Eddie Brow, 77, says: “Doing things like this makes you enjoy life more, makes it worthwhile….Getting out, doing stuff…that’s the secret.” And who can argue with that?
Wonderful wonderful Copenhagen
Share your views and ideas on climate change on the World Climate Community website and be in with a chance of winning a trip for two to Copenhagen from 5 to 8 December, including travel to Copenhagen (by bike presumably!), three nights in a hotel and 2 tickets to the Backstreet Boys concert on 7 December. By posting a message, you can encourage governments to take action in the fight against climate change and your message will be presented to leading EU officials during the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen on 7 to 18 December.The deadline is 20 November 2009, when the winners will be selected at random.
Wikipedia
You can find out about all sorts of things by looking them up on Wikipedia. So as a CTC member, you might want to check out CTC’s Wikipedia page. The beauty of the site is that anyone can add to it, so we’d love our members to edit the page.
Lifesaving curry
While Somen Debnath was cycling across 33 countries to promote Aids awareness, he rode into serious trouble with the Taliban in Afghanistan. He was taken captive for 24 days, but it was his culinary, not his cycling, skills that saved his life. His captors were so impressed with the curry he made them, they released him! Undeterred by his awful ordeal, he has upped the ante and now intends to visit 191 countries by 2020.
Adventures in South America
After 8600 days of service in local government, CTC Member Ken Dunbar has set off on an 8600 mile journey around South America. He’s travelling on three wheels (two on a bike and one on a trailer!). To find out more about his journey, you can follow him via his website
Are Cyclists a Menace? Win a pair of tickets to find out
Newsnet has 25 pairs of tickets for The Spectator Cycling Debate to give away. The debate takes place on Monday 30 November at Savoy Place in London between 6pm and 8.30pm. It will be chaired by Andrew Neil and speakers debating the motion ‘Are Cyclists a Menace?’ include Ken Livingstone and Baroness Sharples. Tickets are worth £28 each. If you would like to win, simply email the best cycling joke you know, include your name and the name of your guest to publicity@.... Please put ‘Are Cyclists a Menace?’ as the subject.
Product of the week: overshoes
Overshoes are essential for winter riding as they protect both your feet and your expensive cycling shoes from the winter weather. There is a whole range of overshoes for you to choose from at the CTC Shop. The CTC shop is a unique way to buy cycling stuff as you benefit with special member prices and CTC benefits with funds raised for campaigning and CTC projects.
Member Benefit: Cyclecover
Cyclecover offers CTC members quality cycle insurance cover at a competitive price, and for policies taken out or renewed from March 2009 we are pleased to confirm that claims settlements will be on a 'New for Old' basis, with no deduction for wear and tear, regardless of the age of the cycle. Benefits of the policy include: free world-wide cover for up to 90 days per year, insuring one or more cycles worth up to a total of £12,500 and a 10%-30% discount for additional cycles. Plus 10% of premiums paid supports CTC campaigning. For quote visit www.cyclecover.org.uk.
Newsnet
If you have something to share with over 25,000 CTC members, please email links to websites, videos and images to publicity@... .
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Apologies for cross posting to email lists this
important change of venue note:
Due to the unexpectedly high demand from members registering
for the AGM, the Chair has exercised his right to ensure the safety and comfort
of attendees by changing the previously advertised venue.
The AGM is now taking place on Tuesday 17 November at:
Henriette
Raphael Function Room
Guy's Campus
Great Maze Pond London
SE1 1UL
London Cycling Campaign is the largest and most successful
environmental organisation in the capital, fighting for the rights of cyclists
and striving to transform our city’s health and environment. As well as
campaigning, we provide our 10,000-plus members with an excellent benefits
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P Consider the environment: don't print this email unless you
really need to
This Sunday Nov 15th we are off to the Essex DA AGM & prizegiving which again
will be held in the Chelmer CC Clubhouse, Meteor Way, Chelmsford and starts at
10.30am. CTC members need to sign in with their numbers.
Meet 08.15 for a 08.30 start from Roomes, Station Rd, Upminster. Your ride
leader will be John Wynstanly.
As with all our winter rides please remember your cycle lights.
http://www.haveringctc.btik.com
--- On Fri, 6/11/09, London Cycling Campaign <newsletter@...> wrote:
Date: Friday, 6 November, 2009, 14:07
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Hello LCC supporter,
Welcome to the latest fortnightly e-newsletter from the London Cycling Campaign. If you can't view it properly, click here.
LORRY SAFETY Many MPs have responded to the decision to disband the effective lorry-monitoring police unit, the CVEU, by signing an early day motion to reverse the decision. Please write to your MP or London Assembly Member using the form below to implore the mayor to make more efforts to keep cyclists safe from lorries, not fewer.
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