The right Honorable Gentleman may recall his earlier years when he would like the common man use a bicycle as a means of transport . Those days , we cyclists would find that getting about was less stressful . In the comfort of the limousine you are required to use by the " Security Services " you will be unaware of the " Battlefield " that the roads have become in recent years . No doubt most of your journeys are spent dealing with important paperwork or in conversation with Dignatories and advisers . The time will have passed quickly since you will have had the road cleared by the escort , but even more to the point you will not have seen cyclists along these routes .
"The Times " campaign " Cities fit for Cycling " may have prompted you to allocate £15m to London projects , earlier this year , some cynics may have observed this as an attempt to buy votes for Boris Johnson in his bid for re election , who knows ? Fact is your Government in slashing " Budgets " removed a great many Cycling Initiatives last year that would have influenced many people to use the bike as transport . As a Government desperate to balance the Budget , a key weapon, is the way it taxes Fuel . Progressive rises mean that " Jo Public and his family " are being unfairly squeezed in the race to fill Government Coffers ! Amusing to see those who can afford the Fuel receiving Tax Reductions in the latest budget !
When you go on your holidays this year , you will no doubt , try to act like a normal family , and perhaps you will ride a bike . That experience will not compare to that experienced on a daily basis by those you govern . Where you will have a security cordon to protect your family , " Jill Public " will be surrounded by those ensconced in a " ton of metal " with scant regard for anything other than getting to that appointment that they set out for , far too late , as usual ! Cyclists have become " Mobile street furniture " to many , and " Road kill " to others . Indeed if you were to read " The Cycling Silk " blog , you would see that the Judiciary regard the " Sun was in my eyes , your honor " as an acceptable excuse for running down and even killing Cyclists !
You will see my comment there , suggesting that ONLY when you , or , your ministers suffer personal loss will there be a change in the Governments attitude to the dangers Everyday Cyclists are surrounded by on a daily basis . In fact i read recently that one woman feels that she would prefer to risk " The Taliban " rather than ride English roads , since she feels the real terrorists are in vehicles . With Families struggling to make " Ends meet " how many will have considered Cycling as an alternative mode of transport and rejected this since they do not wish to leave their family destitute when they are struck down ?
In the near future , after the Olympics , you will see the Paralympics . There , will be many competing from a variety of Nations whose Service Personnel saw action in Yugoslavia , Iraq & Afghanistan . Many of these competitors , having served their nation in " Harm's Way " , will have used sport and Cycling as a means of Rehabilitation and reached such a high standard that they met the qualification standards and are now serving their country once again in the Sporting Arena . Currently there are many from " Help4Heroes of the UK and Wounded Warrior Project engaged in the " Race Across America " ! Doing very well compared to " Able bodied Competitors according to the Media !
Do you realize that there are many Adaptive Athletes that met the Paralympic Standards but due to the lack of " Funds / Sponsors " they will not be at the London 2012 Paralympics ? Should any of these be from the British Armed forces , then this is a disgraceful and neglectful way to repay the dedication of those that served their nation . War has only one winner ! Those who invest their money in the " Armaments Industries "! It serves their purposes to see conflict in a world , that has no need for Conflict ! Fact is if you follow the money trail you will see that some of these people or corporations are reinvesting their Ill gotten Profits in the " Rehabilitation Industries " ! For them a " Win Win situation "!
With people taking the attitude that a Cyclist is an accident awaiting a disaster scenario it is a time , long overdue for you and your Government to ACT ! Yes we ALL heard you express your concerns in February when " Cities fit for Cycling was launched , but in examining your conscience , can you really point to anything that caused a change of attitude by the Motoring Lobby ?
Words mean nothing to " Mr White Van Man " or those that drive with the " mobile phone " glued to the ear as they eat their lunch . Nor do they mean anything to those drivers that regularly exceed the 30mph even in 20mph zones or around schools . Revision of the " Highway Code " and " penalties " for striking Vulnerable Road Users , implementing New Driving Licence Standards and Renewing the Licence after 5 years use could be a step in the right direction but this takes time and resources . However it will create jobs and perhaps produce revenue where people choose to continue to drive with disregard to others !
As an Interim measure the introduction of 20MPH limits in ALL urban areas will force vehicles to be more careful around Vulnerable Road Users and perhaps there will be less of the " Sun was in my Eyes Nonsense"!
Cyclists have a right to LIFE and consideration as Human beings that share the roads rather than as the nuisance that disrupts the traffic when so many were already late leaving for their " Important Appointment " !
Time you put Road Safety higher on your list of concerns ! ACTION please , not more words !
As a volunteer at ATHENS 2004 Events , i enjoyed the novelty of riding their roads BUT i am not looking forward to August in London ! How anyone can enjoy London Roads is beyond my comprehension !
SAFE PASSING 101
Showing posts with label The Times. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Times. Show all posts
Friday, June 22, 2012
Friday, February 24, 2012
Cities fit for Cycling : Comments to the " TIMES " , difficulties abound !
This may not surprise you ! During the period of the " Cities fit for Cycling " campaign , i have virtually daily tried to find the way to leave " comments " on The Times particularly encouraging people to read my blogs which are a series of articles on " Cycling and Road Safety matters " !
So far i have " pledged Support for the Campaign and even put the " Logo " on each blog , in the prime position ! Further i have commented to other well known Blogs to give the " Logo detail" so that they can copy and Paste to their blogs !
Reading : http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/cyclesafety/article3309117.ece i see that it is not updated since the 4th Feb !
Some occasions whilst attempting to reach the " Comments " or the intro point to leave a Story , i get a box asking for £ 2 a month , guess what !
the times are seeking to turn this Campaign to their financial benefit !
Another time i saw that only those registered with the Times can access the " Stories " !
Perhaps someone will assist me to get my Point of View across since i am in Austria on a low Broadband access ( 16bits/sec ) and seeing the same story in a round the houses series is totally frustrating !
My blogs can be found by Googling : " Parrabuddy & Skippydetour " as can my Twitter.com/skippydetour and Farcebook " Skippy Mc Carthy "!
Please recommend my blogs to others since i am a supporter of " Adaptive Sport " and wish to see the roads become SAFER for ALL !
In conclusion i would add that only 77 MPs attending the debate is an OUTRAGE !
Where and WHY were the remaining 500 + that were in good health and no doubt claiming " expenses " for their " Duties " yesterday ?
TO THE “TIMES ” , this is the normal situation i experience !
Visiting your paper to add comment results in frustration !
Visited the following page:
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/cyclesafety/article3327435.ece
On there is a box that says : “ Follow stories about “ Cities fit for Cycling” , clicked on and arrived at :
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/
Went to “ Most read “ clicked on :
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/cyclesafety/article3329890.ece
Went there and clicked on :
“ Post your Comments “ and arrived at :
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/cyclesafety/contact/
Back to the start so to speak , but then got to a box which announced a demand to pay £ 2 for access to “ The TIMES “ ! cancelled that box and went to :
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/cyclesafety/
From there I went to :
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/cyclesafety/contact/
Around and around the houses we go , where we are going , nobody knows !
WAKE UP " TIMES " personnel , Smell the roses !
YOU ARE RUNNING A SAFETY CAMPAIGN for Cyclists !
Not selling your On line services on the back of others misfortunes are you ? If you are , then , SHAME ON YOU !
This is one of the “ Box Ads ” !
The Times and The Sunday Times on your terms
Join and enjoy access to:
Latest news, comment and analysis from
The Times and The Sunday Times
The Times and The Sunday Times Tablet
editions and smartphone app
Times+ benefits worth over £100 every month
Cost me a couple of Megabytes to discover this , but I did not get to the story I had clicked on !
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/opinion/thunderer/The Times,
Do they really think I or others , are going to PAY for their opinion ?
Indistinct under the “ Sell Box ” was a newsy page , something other than the item I was seeking ! You think I want to look at something other than the item I clicked on and THEN PAY ?
So far i have " pledged Support for the Campaign and even put the " Logo " on each blog , in the prime position ! Further i have commented to other well known Blogs to give the " Logo detail" so that they can copy and Paste to their blogs !
Reading : http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/cyclesafety/article3309117.ece i see that it is not updated since the 4th Feb !
Some occasions whilst attempting to reach the " Comments " or the intro point to leave a Story , i get a box asking for £ 2 a month , guess what !
the times are seeking to turn this Campaign to their financial benefit !
Another time i saw that only those registered with the Times can access the " Stories " !
Perhaps someone will assist me to get my Point of View across since i am in Austria on a low Broadband access ( 16bits/sec ) and seeing the same story in a round the houses series is totally frustrating !
My blogs can be found by Googling : " Parrabuddy & Skippydetour " as can my Twitter.com/skippydetour and Farcebook " Skippy Mc Carthy "!
Please recommend my blogs to others since i am a supporter of " Adaptive Sport " and wish to see the roads become SAFER for ALL !
In conclusion i would add that only 77 MPs attending the debate is an OUTRAGE !
Where and WHY were the remaining 500 + that were in good health and no doubt claiming " expenses " for their " Duties " yesterday ?
TO THE “TIMES ” , this is the normal situation i experience !
Visiting your paper to add comment results in frustration !
Visited the following page:
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/cyclesafety/article3327435.ece
On there is a box that says : “ Follow stories about “ Cities fit for Cycling” , clicked on and arrived at :
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/
Went to “ Most read “ clicked on :
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/cyclesafety/article3329890.ece
Went there and clicked on :
“ Post your Comments “ and arrived at :
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/cyclesafety/contact/
Back to the start so to speak , but then got to a box which announced a demand to pay £ 2 for access to “ The TIMES “ ! cancelled that box and went to :
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/cyclesafety/
From there I went to :
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/cyclesafety/contact/
Around and around the houses we go , where we are going , nobody knows !
WAKE UP " TIMES " personnel , Smell the roses !
YOU ARE RUNNING A SAFETY CAMPAIGN for Cyclists !
Not selling your On line services on the back of others misfortunes are you ? If you are , then , SHAME ON YOU !
This is one of the “ Box Ads ” !
The Times and The Sunday Times on your terms
Join and enjoy access to:
Latest news, comment and analysis from
The Times and The Sunday Times
The Times and The Sunday Times Tablet
editions and smartphone app
Times+ benefits worth over £100 every month
Cost me a couple of Megabytes to discover this , but I did not get to the story I had clicked on !
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/opinion/thunderer/The Times,
Do they really think I or others , are going to PAY for their opinion ?
Indistinct under the “ Sell Box ” was a newsy page , something other than the item I was seeking ! You think I want to look at something other than the item I clicked on and THEN PAY ?
CITIES FIT FOR CYCLING : Parliament Debate !
Comment to “ The Times “
Disgusted to see that “ the Times ” reports ONLY 77 members of the Houses of Parliament , attended the “ Cycling Debate ” , which was announced several weeks ago ! If memory serves me correctly , there are about 645 members claiming expenses and other benefits ? Can you imagine how let down the “ Cycling Constituency “ must feel about the MAJORITY of their Parliament representation “ boycotting ” this debate ? Additionally the debate did not allow ALL those attending to speak although there was a consensus !
“ The Thunderer” has over the centuries led the media with their accurate reporting and has been responsible for exercising influence in British Politics to the extent there have been changes in government brought about by their efforts ! What conclusion can be drawn from the LACK of INTEREST by the majority of MPs yesterday ? Road Safety is a “ High Profile ” issue for all road users but particularly the V unerable R oad U sers comprising Cyclists and Pedestrians ! The lack of interest yesterday tells the “ Great British Motorists ” NOTHING is going to change !
YES , Westminster is not interested , so back to normal , continue to “ Bully ” the cyclist , continue to ignore the pedestrian , in fact what were you worrying about , as long as we can keep our snout in the trough it will be business as usual !
“The Times “ has a responsibility to identify those “MPs ” that attended and to name and shame those that voiced support to the media , and failed to attend ! Fact is your readership should advise which MP’s responded to their constituents’ concerns and then failed to attend the debate !
Action NOW !
Notice there was praise for the 8 point campaign BUT there was no commitment to the one point that required the allocation of money ! Doesn’t that not tell a story ?
ONCE AGAIN THE CYCLISTS ARE BEING LET DOWN !
PS Do they really think that people will pay to sit on Box Hill during the Olympic Road Race when they can sit at home in comfort ? Get real you thieving cowboys ! Promises made by Politicians are worthless ! Legislation promised is worth less than the enforcement of existing legislation which is too often too leniently applied even in events where Lives have been lost through blatant acts that would be described as Manslaughter or Murder if another weapon was used !
TO THE “TIMES ”
Visiting your paper to add comment resulted in frustration !
Visited the following page:
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/cyclesafety/article3327435.ece
On there is a box that says : “ Follow stories about “ Cities fit for Cycling” , clicked on and arrived at :
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/
Went to “ Most read “ clicked on :
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/cyclesafety/article3329890.ece
Went there and clicked on :
“ Post your Comments “ and arrived at :
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/cyclesafety/contact/
Back to the start so to speak , but then got to a box which announced a demand to pay £ 2 for access to “ The TIMES “ ! cancelled that box and went to :
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/cyclesafety/
From there I went to :
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/cyclesafety/contact/
Around and around the houses we go , where we are going , nobody knows !
WAKE UP , Smell the roses !
YOU ARE RUNNING A SAFETY CAMPAIGN for Cyclists !
Not selling your On line services !
Disgusted to see that “ the Times ” reports ONLY 77 members of the Houses of Parliament , attended the “ Cycling Debate ” , which was announced several weeks ago ! If memory serves me correctly , there are about 645 members claiming expenses and other benefits ? Can you imagine how let down the “ Cycling Constituency “ must feel about the MAJORITY of their Parliament representation “ boycotting ” this debate ? Additionally the debate did not allow ALL those attending to speak although there was a consensus !
“ The Thunderer” has over the centuries led the media with their accurate reporting and has been responsible for exercising influence in British Politics to the extent there have been changes in government brought about by their efforts ! What conclusion can be drawn from the LACK of INTEREST by the majority of MPs yesterday ? Road Safety is a “ High Profile ” issue for all road users but particularly the V unerable R oad U sers comprising Cyclists and Pedestrians ! The lack of interest yesterday tells the “ Great British Motorists ” NOTHING is going to change !
YES , Westminster is not interested , so back to normal , continue to “ Bully ” the cyclist , continue to ignore the pedestrian , in fact what were you worrying about , as long as we can keep our snout in the trough it will be business as usual !
“The Times “ has a responsibility to identify those “MPs ” that attended and to name and shame those that voiced support to the media , and failed to attend ! Fact is your readership should advise which MP’s responded to their constituents’ concerns and then failed to attend the debate !
Action NOW !
Notice there was praise for the 8 point campaign BUT there was no commitment to the one point that required the allocation of money ! Doesn’t that not tell a story ?
ONCE AGAIN THE CYCLISTS ARE BEING LET DOWN !
PS Do they really think that people will pay to sit on Box Hill during the Olympic Road Race when they can sit at home in comfort ? Get real you thieving cowboys ! Promises made by Politicians are worthless ! Legislation promised is worth less than the enforcement of existing legislation which is too often too leniently applied even in events where Lives have been lost through blatant acts that would be described as Manslaughter or Murder if another weapon was used !
TO THE “TIMES ”
Visiting your paper to add comment resulted in frustration !
Visited the following page:
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/cyclesafety/article3327435.ece
On there is a box that says : “ Follow stories about “ Cities fit for Cycling” , clicked on and arrived at :
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/
Went to “ Most read “ clicked on :
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/cyclesafety/article3329890.ece
Went there and clicked on :
“ Post your Comments “ and arrived at :
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/cyclesafety/contact/
Back to the start so to speak , but then got to a box which announced a demand to pay £ 2 for access to “ The TIMES “ ! cancelled that box and went to :
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/cyclesafety/
From there I went to :
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/cyclesafety/contact/
Around and around the houses we go , where we are going , nobody knows !
WAKE UP , Smell the roses !
YOU ARE RUNNING A SAFETY CAMPAIGN for Cyclists !
Not selling your On line services !
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