Letter to Dr Heinz Fischer , President of Austria

Your Excellency .

As you prepare Notes for your Annual Address to the Citizens of Austria , i would ask you to consider including an Appeal to those using the Roads . Very few motorists realise that Cyclists were there first , in Cambridge , England a Cycle Shop will close shortly , after being in Business for 137 years . Austria may have had cars on the road for about 120 years ?   Daily , Motor Vehicles treat Cyclists as intruders in THEIR Space .

No doubt you will know of the work of many Cycling Safety Organisations ? Australian State of Queensland will on 1st Jan. 2014 adopt for 2 years , a Safe Passing Law of 1m for under 60kph and 1 1/2M for in excess , this i understand is already LAW in Austria . This New Queensland State Law was brought about by the actions of Cyclists using Social Media , and i added input , citing the Austrian experiences .  As a Cyclist , i find there are TOO MANY occasions where a vehicle defies the Austrian requirement of Safe Passing distance , fortunately i have only suffered superficial injury and broken equipment on occasions such as took place today .

What i find so contradictory , is that the " Emergency Services "  , Polizei , Red Cross And Rescue Services, RARELY use their signals WHEN not in Emergency travel . Not only do they not , but those vehicles following them on the roads , will stray TOO CLOSE , since on too many occasions they are " Tail Gating ", another contravention of Austrian Regulations ? With the New Austrian Government only now being formalised , i feel sure that you are in a position to advise the relevant Ministers on some of the " Initiatives " they need to address for the benefit of ALL Citizens ? Perhaps requiring that these " Professionals " incur Double Penalties , may concentrate their efforts ?

As part of your Address , i should like to ask of you , that you highlight the NEED for Citizens to be kinder to each other in considering other Road Users . Reminding People that a lighter foot , will also save Fuel , arrive at Speed Limits and Traffic Lights without the need of Braking , being able to anticipate passing opportunities in respect of slower moving vehicles , amongst the benefits . Reminding people that a tonne of Metal can end lives , when distracted /inattentive due to using Cell phones , Laptops or the like , searching for cigarettes , sandwiches , drinks , maps ?  Is it really necessary to be aware of Social media messages , whilst in control of a vehicle ? I personally would wish that NOONE was allowed to receive Twitter , Facebook , LinkedIN , etc , whilst in control of a vehicle .

My interest in Safer Cycling comes of using it as a way to " Advocate for Behinderten Sport " , i have no wish to become/join their community . I know of your Interest , since i met you at Torino Paralympic 2006 in Sestriere . When you visit Kitzbuehl in January , you will see many International Skiers racing , most of whom ride the Roads , using their Bikes for Cross Training . Perhaps you could influence them to join in helping make the roads SAFER by adding to this Petition :

 https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/ioc-chairman-thomas-bach-create-an-international-umbrella-cycling-safety-organisation

Many countries have " Cycling Safety Organisations " :

Australia : Amy Gillett Foundation ( Created after a Race Cyclist of that name killed Training in Germany , a                                                                                        matter known to Horst Kohler ? )

                 SafeCyclingOz  ( Created the Petition in Queensland )

England   : Cities Fit For Cycling 

                 CTC

USA         : http://www.dearmotorist.com/

                   Look : Save a LIFE

There are so Many other countries also , ALL with their own stories ! Austria no doubt has many Cycle Safety Org.s of it's own?

Today was the " Friday the 13th scenario " that would make your hair curl , i will detail some of that as an addendum to this letter .

With Best Wishes for the Festive season , 

Sincerely 

Skippy Mc Carthy 

Addendum :

                   www.Skippi-Cyclist.blogspot.com

Nothing to see here !

On 15th Dec i had things to write , but got side tracked with a Letter to the Austrian President , sent via the advertised Email and also posted to Facebook ! You will not be surprised to hear that NO REPLY as yet ? I am not able to receive Austrian TV , so even IF my ability to understand Austrian German was good enough , i doubt the request was included ?

This is what i posted to Facebook :

  "  Your Excellency .

As you prepare Notes for your Annual Address to the Citizens of Austria , i would ask you to consider including an Appeal to those using the Roads . Very few motorists realise that Cyclists were there first , in Cambridge , England a Cycle Shop will close shortly after being in Business for 137 years . Austria may have had cars on the road for about 120 years ? Daily Motor Vehicles treat Cycclists as intruders in THEIR Space .

No doubt you will know of the work of many Cycling Safety Organisations ? Australian State of Queensland will on 1st Jan. 2014 adopt for 2 years a Safe Passing Law of 1m for under 60kph and 1 1/2M for in excess , this i understand is already LAW in Austria .As a Cyclist , i find there are TOO MANY occasions where a vehicle defies that requirement , fortunately i have only suffered superficial injury and broken equipment on occasions such as today .

What i find so contradictory , is that the " Emergency Services "  , Polizei , Red Cross And Rescue Services, RARELY use their signals WHEN not in Emergency travel . Not only do they not , but those vehicles following them  will stray TOO CLOSE , since on too many occasions they are " Tail Gating ", another contravention of Austrian Regulations ? With the New Austrian Government only now being formalised , i feel sure that you are in a position to advise them on some of the " Initiatives " they need to address for the benefit of ALL Citizens ?

As part of your Address , i should like to ask of you , that you highlight the NEED for considering other Road Users . Reminding People that a lighter foot , will save Fuel , arrive at Speed Limits and Traffic Lights without the need of excessive Braking , being able to anticipate passing opportunities in respect of slower moving vehicles . Reminding people that a tonne of Metal can end lives , when distracted /inattentive due to having Cell phones , Laptops or the like , searching for cigarettes , sandwiches , drinks , maps ?  Is it really necessary to be aware of Social media , whilst in control of a vehicle ? I personally would wish that NOONE was allowed to receive Twitter , Facebook , LinkedIN , etc , whilst in a vehicle .

My interest in Cycling comes of using it , as a way to " Advocate for Behinderten Sport " , i have no wish to join their community . When you visit Kitzbuehl in January , you will see many International Skiers , most of whom ride the Roads using Bikes for Cross Training . Perhaps you could influence them to join in helping make the roads SAFER by adding to this Petition :

 https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/ioc-chairman-thomas-bach-create-an-international-umbrella-cycling-safety-organisation  

Repeats of letters such as this were sent to the following :

Governor General of Australia

David Cameron

Prince Albert of Monaco

Prince Willem Alexander of Holland

Helle ... Prime Minister of Denmark

Axel Lund Svindal

Alberto Tomba

Variety of other Sports Stars

You would be correct in assuming that there has been NO Replies , although the item still appears on the majority of Facebook Walls .

At this point , New Year's Eve , there are 26 others that think that CYCLE SAFETY is worthwhile !

LinkedIN tell me that my 955+ contacts give me a 10Million audience ! WHAT A JOKE ! All asleep or out to lunch ? Facebook can only be treated as the Advertising FARCE it has become , a New Years resolution , should be to IGNORE it as a source of contact ! Don't worry those of you , whose Email i have . If i have been a guest in your home then i will want to stay in touch , as for the rest , well i can save hours on the computer .

These Facebook people , cannot save Cyclists lives but do wish to WASTE TIME on trivialities :

Farm heroes saga

Coaster Ville

Diamond Dash

Pudding Pop

Papa Pear Saga

Bubble Witch Saga

Candy Crush Saga

Pepper Panic Saga

Jelly Splash

Facebook doesn't allow copying the " notifications " , so unable to lift the entries here , however , to those making the invitations :

" If you HAD signed the " Petition " then i OWE you , as for the REST , DID YOU READ any of my "what's on your Mind " entries ? Doubtful ? My message for 2014 :

GET A LIFE !

With facebook i have had to abandon one of my email addresses to avoid clutering my inbox with these inanities ! No doubt some of them , would be better served by finding the " Unfriend button " ! Please DO IT NOW !

WALKING with the WOUNDED .

It's cold enough here in Austria , after a sunny day , to make me wonder ,
how much colder Antartica would be at the moment . It came as a surprise at the weekend to hear that the Race Element of the  Event , being contested by 3 separate Teams , had to be suspended .

Twitter ( @SO_SL   ) tonight disclosed a Facebook report , from one of the competitors :

https://www.facebook.com/SoldierOnSanslimites/posts/587883891267200

Essentially there were 3 Teams , at the outset of the walk to the South Pole , with the intention of creating a platform for additional FundRaising possibilities . In the first days , the British Team was in the lead , but the American and Commonwealth Teams were forcing the pace . As they had been delayed in South Africa because of Heavy Storm Activity , they had to spend days acclimatizing before going to the start line . It would appear that a Team Member was sent home for safety  in the first days due to trauma . At the weekend the 3 Teams were moved forward to a new start line for the 2nd section , where they then combined , with the intention of arriving at the South Pole by the 15th December .

Perhaps adding the Report here will provide further detail :

  "  “[Everyone is] able to enjoy the moment instead of just thinking we need to push harder, we need to get a kilometre ahead or need to do this. We all have competitive edges and spirits, so a little part of us was disappointed but on the bigger picture this is great. Now we are sharing it all together, instead of just the seven of our teammates.

Everyone is now encouraging each other, which we were, but it is a lot more personal and closer now, spending time together and having lots of laughs really.

It is starting to be where we are supposed to be: that is, making sure that all 12 of us wounded get to the South Pole and show the world that with the right support, attitude, opportunity and the chance that we can accomplish anything. Whether you are sick or ill, a wounded veteran or just anyone who is having a bad day or week, you can do it! You can just push yourself and put your mind to it and get to it. Now we get to share this all together and it is great. People aren’t afraid now to say when things are hurting or bothering them. There is no fear of letting the team down or slowing them down.

It was the right call. It was a good call and it has turned into even more of a trip of a lifetime. We are happy and only 63km or so to go till we are at the Pole. The emotions are starting to run but I am excited to get there. “

- Chris Downey, Team Soldier On

No doubt more reports will be forthcoming oin the next days .

Glad i am not ski trekking in -45C , cold enough in the next village of the Tirol , where i guess i will be tomorrow , hiking up the couple of kilometres to the top of the Ski Lift .

REPORT FROM EXPEDITION DIRECTOR & TEAM NOOM COACH :

http://walkingwiththewounded.org.uk/southpole2013/2013/12/07/ed-parker-i-have-suspended-the-race-but-the-challenge-goes-on/

  "  We have had a tricky couple of days. The weather remains good but the terrain is very difficult, far harder than we were anticipating and because of various factors, I have decided to suspend the race.

The reasons for this are entirely safety based. I am looking at the three teams. They are going really well but people are beginning to get very, very tired. With our doctor here, who I am in constant contact with, we just feel we are beginning to push people a little too hard, so I have suspended the race.”

-Ed Parker, Expedition Director  and Team Noom Coach mentor

Part of a  Comment to the website :

  " “Planning is helpful. If you don’t know what you want, you’ll seldom get it. But, no matter how well you plan, you will fare better if you expect the unexpected. The unexpected, by nature, comes unseen, unthought, unenvisioned. All you can do is plan to go unplanned, prepare to be unprepared, make going with the flow part of your agenda, for the most successful among us envision, plan, and prepare, but cast all aside as needed, while those who are unable to go with the flow often suffer, if they survive.”
(― David W. Jones, Moses and Mickey Mouse: How to Find Holy Ground in the Magic Kingdom and Other Unusual Places)
Those interested in further events in the UK , need look no further than this :