SKIPPI-CYCLIST

Letter to Various Emergency Services Unions

noreply@blogger.com (skippy) — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 21:13:00 +0000

Letter to Various Emergency Services Unions
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

As a Person that USES A BIKE daily , i am very much aware of the DANGERS posed by a minority of Vehicle Drivers on WorldWide Roads . There is as element of the Global Population that chooses to ACTIVELY Endanger People on Bikes , and then there are those , that through their desire to Multi Task as they drive on the roads , Unwittingly ENDANGER Vulnerable Road Users . Recent statistics in Australia , show that 46% of Drivers ADMIT to Distracted Driving . Another Study , where Dashboard Cameras were installed in their vehicles , shows that 90+% forget the recording device and revert to their NORMAL Distracted Driving Habits .

Many of Your Union Membership , ALL of whom are required to meet Mandatory Fitness Standards to do their Work , choose to USE a BIKE , whether for Fitness , Commuting or Pleasure . Over the years i have ridden with Ambos , ParaMedics , Firies , Police & Rescue Volunteers , ALL of whom recognise the Dangers posed to them when they take to the roads . How can they not , since a majority of their work is assisting casualties of MOSTLY Unnecessary RTC & RTI ?

When a Person is up the road on a BIKE , the Vehicle Driver will NOT KNOW WHO that person is , until after passing . By then it can be TOO Late , since they will have behaved in a manner that they regret , IF , they have Unwittingly Endangered that Person by Squeezing through a Pinch Point , OR even worse , inflicting a PUNISHMENT PASS , because they have had a dispute with a Work Colleague , Family Member or any other situation where they were , as they misguidedly think , provoked to Anger , thus the Person on the BIKE becomes the FIRST Vulnerable Person that they can PAY BACK for that current problem upper most in their mind . That the Victims of this attitude are INNOCENTLY involved , is of no consequence , it is a method of PAY BACK on the World , to those irrational beings . Losing their RAG is an all too common occurence in modern day Austrailia , as we see far too often in the Home , where the Family Suffer , or , in the workplace , colleagues suffer , or even at the counter of a Service point in the Supermarket or shop ?

As a Union /Association , i am sure that Your Members have some form of Compensation , should they be involved in a RTI on the way to or from their place of work , BUT , would it not be BETTER , if these UNNECESSARY Incidents NEVER TOOK PLACE ? Cutting Victims out of Vehicles , could be so easily REPLACED , by your Membership EDUCATING Road Users ?

A Duo of Ordinary Police Officers in the Birmingham Area of the United Kingdom have taken , what at that time in 2016 , was unusual action . They convinced their Superiors to allow them to experiment with what is called a #SafePassMat . Since that success , they have involved Local Firies in their operations , AND , as they progressed , Further #EducationTools began to be USED . A visit to @TrafficWMP & @WMPHRT will give you further useful background on their ongoing operations , which are NOW becoming the basis of #Education/Enforcement Operations in the Majority of the 45 Policing Authorituies in the UK ! Even more to your point of View , is that there is growing cooperation from ALL Emergency Services .

From another direction the Metropolitan Police of London , started their OWN Education drive , using Large Trucks and Busses in their #ExchangingPlaces Operations . The @MetcycleCops , now have added more #EducationTools and roam throughout London as they link with other Units of the Metro Police on Daily Operations .

What is the difference between UK Police and Aussie Police ?

NOTHING !

These People , ALL go to work with the attitude of DOING THE BEST that they can , each day ! It is NOT Salary that determines this Attitude , since in Australia , as a CMFEU Labourer they can earn as much as twice the Income , but the desire to HELP their Community . No doubt it is the same for Other Emergency Service Workers !

Recently there was a conference of nat'l mtg of Senior Police. See https://www.weride.org.au/what-we-do/resources... There a Video of the work done in West Midlands Policing area was shown . With ALL these Conferences , there would have been Info Overload , so i wonder how much of that Video and the Beneficial Outcomes would have been put to work at this time ? I doubt that there will be a rush to getting similar Operations underway , EVEN THOUGH LIVES ARE BEING LOST in the interim ? Tell the Parents of the Teen age Child , Road KILL in Queensland last week ! Even go back to Good Friday of 2017 , when Sgt Ken Rich was KILLED as he rode his Bike with his Daughter along an outer Melbourne Main Road . As i have been overseas in recent times , it may be that the perp has been charged and Court Action is Underway ? No doubt there are other Emergency workers that have suffered KSI , but the social media i follow , failed to report their RTI !

As a mid 70s Senior Citizen , i would wish to survive riding my Bike into my 90s , and whilst i was able to make 3 #SafePassMats for about $50 , so as to demonstrate their effectiveness , i doubt that i will be able to lay hands on the VRU unit that has been made available to ALL UK Policing Authorities by CyclingUK in recent weeks ! No doubt some member that attended that recent conference will have found a way to acquire one of those units ?

In summary , i ask that each of YOUR Unions & Associations WORK TOGETHER to canvas Politicians , to provide the FUNDING to allow your Superiors to form the Operational Units to follow the examples in Place in London & Birmingham for several years , that are ALSO being emulated in any number of European Countries . Each Service within the Community of Emergency Services can play their part in making a difference , thus reducing the Road Toll , that Politicians WANT to be ZERO , but FAIL to Fund !

NB , whilst in recent days , Cycling Australia has called on other Cycle safety Advocacy Groups to work together for the Safety of People on Bikes , they FAILED to include #SafeCyclingAustralia the family unit led by Dave Sharp , who together with Bruce FleggMP of Queensland , in 2013 brought about the #SplitRule , that has NOW become LAW in Most Aussie States ! It is ironic that this Family is Volunteer , yet the Salaried Group of #AMetreMatters , has FAILED in its home State to gain any result , BUT , claims credit for work in the other states ! Had they stayed out of the Qld Enquiry in 2013 , we would have 1 1/2 Metres #SafePassLaws as the standard in Metro Areas under 50kph , as exists in the EU , perhaps even the 2M there , as has often been applies in respect of RTIs involving children ?

MAKING YOUR MEMBERS SAFE , should be YOUR PRIORITY NOW , in 2018 let alone in 2019 !

NOW is the time for ACTION , since the Media has highlighted the #Eide2Work , this week!

Their Safety will make it safe for ME , when i use the roads that they use !

As a Minority of ONE , i can take many Photos of #ProRacers , Male & Female , holding #Placards and #Gillets , even have the back story of their encounters with Danger . Note that #MarkDreyfuss_QC_MP was a victim of a Punishment Pass last Friday 12th Oct. , and Cadel Evans just related in a video his recent dangerous encounters whilst on the Aussie Roads , and NOW recommends ALL Cyclists USE a Video Camera !

Each DEATH diminishes OUR Community , BUT , it also TRAUMATISES your Membership ! Post Incident Trauma being a deterring component in YOUR WORKPLACE ?

STOP the UNNECESSARY KILLING , YOU have that ABILITY !

USE IT TODAY !

Skippy Mc Carthy

NB Addendum on 18th Oct. 2018

My letter by Email to vatious Fire Fighter Unions :
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Letter to Various Emergency Services Unions
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

As a Person that USES A BIKE , i am very much aware of the DANGERS posed by a minority of Vehicle Drivers . There is as element of the Population that chooses to ACTIVELY Endanger People on Bikes , and then there are those , that through their desire to Multi Task as they drive , Unwittingly ENDANGER Vulnerable Road Users .

Many of Your Membership , ALL of whom are required to meet Fitness Standards to meet their Work Standards , choose to USE a BIKE , whether for Fitness , Commuting or Pleasure . Over the years i have ridden with Ambos , ParaMedics , Firies , Police & Rescue Volunteers , ALL of whom recognise the Dangers posed to them when they take to the roads .

When a Person is up the road on a BIKE , the vehicle Driver will NOT KNOW WHO that person is , until after passing . By then it can be TOO Late , since they will have behaved in a manner that they regret , IF , they have Unwittingly Endangered that PÜerson by Squeezing through a Pinch Point , OR even worse , inflicting a PUNISHMENT PASS , because they have had a dispute with a Work Colleague , Family Member or another situation where they were , as they think , provoked to Abger , thus the Person on the BIKE becomes the FIRST Vulnerable Person that they can PAY BACK for the problem upper most in their mind . That they are INNOCENTLY involved , is of no consequence , it is PAY BACK to those irrational beings . Losing their RAG is an all too common occurence as we see far too often in the Home , where the Family Suffer , or , in the workplace , or even at the counter of a Service point in the Supermarket or shop ?

As a Union /Association , i am sure that Your Members have some form of Compensation , should they be involved in a RTI on the way to or from their place of work , BUT , would it not be BETTER , if these UNNECESSARY Incidents NEVER TOOK PLACE ?

A Duo of Ordinary Police Officers in the Birmingham Area of the United Kingdom have taken , what at that time in 2016 , was unusual action . They convinced their Superiors to allow them to experiment with what is called a #SafePassMat . Since that success , they have involved Local Firies in their operations , AND , as they progressed Further #EducationTools began to be USED . A visit to @TrafficWMP & @WMPHRT will give you further useful background on their ongoing operations , which are NOW becoming the basis of #Education/Enforcement Operations in the Majority of the 45 Policing Authorituies in the UK !

From another direction the Metropolitan Police of London , started their OWN Education drive , using Large Trucks and Busses in their #ExchangingPlaces Operations . The @MetcycleCops , now have added more #EducationTools and roam throughout London as they link with other Units of the Metro Police on Daily Operations .

What is the difference between UK Police and Aussie Police ?

NOTHING !

THese People , ALL go to work with the attitude of DOING THE BEST that they can , each day ! It is NOT Salary that determines this Attitude , since as a CMFEU Labourer they can earn as much as twise the Income , but the desire to HELP their Community . No doubt it is the same for Other Emergency Service Workers !

Recently there was a conference of nat'l mtg of senior Police. See https://www.weride.org.au/what-we-do/resources... There a Video of the work done in West Midlands Policing area was shown . With ALL these Conferences , there would have been Info Overload , so i wonder how much of that Video and the Beneficial Benefits would have been put to work at this time ? I doubt that there will be a rush to getting similar Operations underway , EVEN THOUGH LIVES ARE BEING LOST in the interim ? Tell the Parents of the Teen age Child , Road KILL in Queensland last week ! Even go back to Good Friday of 2017 , when Sgt Ken Rich was KILLED as he rode his Bike with his Daughter . As i haave been overseas in recent times , it may be that the perp has been charged and Court Action is Underway ? No doubt there are other Emergency workers that have suffered KSI , but the social media i follow , failed to report their RTI !

As a mid 70s Senior Citizen , i would wish to survive riding my Bike into my 90s , and whilst i was able to make 3 #SafePassMats for about $50 , so as to demonstrate their effectiveness , i doubt that i will be able to lay hands on the VDU unit that has been made available to ALL UK Policing Authorities by CyclingUK in recent weeks ! No doubt some member that attended the conference will have found a way to acquire one of those units ?

In summary , i ask that each of YOUR Unions & Associations WORK TOGETHER to canvass Politicians , to provide the FUNDING to allow your Superiors to form the Operational Units to follow the examples in Place in London & Birmingham for several years , that are being emulated in any number of European Countries . Each Service within the Community of Emergency Services can play their part in making a difference , thus reducing the Road Toll , that Politicians WANT to be ZERO , but FAIL to Fund !

NB , whilst in recent days , Cycling Australia has called on other Cycle safety Advocacy Groups to work together for the Safety of People on Bikes , they FAILED to include #SafeCyclingAustralia the family unit led by Dave Sharp , who together with Bruce FleggMP of Queensland in 2013 brought about the #SplitRule , that has become LAW in Most Aussie States ! It is ironic that this Family is Volunteer , yet the Salaried Group of #AMetreMatters , has FAILED in its home State to gain a result , BUT , claims credit for work in the other states ! Had they stayed out of the Qld Enquity in 2013 , we would have 1 1/2 Metres #SafePassLaws as the standard , as exists in the EU , perhaps even the 2M there , as applies in respect of children ?

MAKING YOUR MEMBERS SAFE , should be YOUR PRIORITY in 2018 !

NOW !

Their Safety will make it safe for ME , when i use the roads that they use !

As a Minority of ONE , i can take many Photos of #ProRacers , Male & Female , holding #Placards and #Gillets , even have the back story of their encounters with Danger . Note that #MarkDreyfuss_QC_MP was a victim of a Punishment Pass last Friday , and Cadel Evans just related in a video his recent dangerous encounters whilst on the Aussie Roads !

Each DEATH diminishes OUR Community , BUT , it also TRAUMATISES your Membership !

STOP the UNNECESSARY KILLING , YOU have that ABILITY !

USE IT TODAY !

Skippy Mc Carthy

CYCLING should be a RELIGION !

noreply@blogger.com (skippy) — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 09:05:00 +0000

During the period i have neglected this Blog , i have been travelling here and there .

Not a day passes that i am not on the bike in one form or other , due to the need to energise the muscles . Rain or Snow limits the riding to the TACX indoors , but rarely have the roads been so bad that an outdoor outing was not advisable .

Daily i check a few " Cycling Safety Pages " to catch up with what the rest of the world is experiencing . Rarely do i see ANY GOOD NEWS ! Fact is the attitude to Cyclists / People on BIKES is so pathetic , that one wonders WHY the aggressors think that they are allowed to behave in such a manner ? Are they SO LOW in Self Esteem , that they resort to BULLYING those that they do not know ?

It matters not , what part of the English Speaking World that you live in , Cyclists experience the type of ABUSE that would not be allowed in any of those Countries if directed at a particular member of a Racial or Religious Community .

When there are Policing Authorities that work hard at identifying Racial Hatred and Internet Bullying , it seems strange that theey TOTALLY IGNORE the welfare of CYCLISTS !

IF Cycling was a Religion , would there be the same COMPLACENCY ?

A person getting on a BIKE , does not become INVISIBLE / NON PERSON ?

Those of you that want a little light relief , as one cyclist fights back , should have a lool at :

http://101wankers.tumblr.com/

such a pity that it has been dormant for years , more people with the same idea would ensure that vehicle drivers would take greater care .

In recent weeks i have stopped contributing comment to :

https://www.facebook.com/groups/stopkillingcyclists

Seems there are about 4k+ keyboard warriors there , leaving a hard core of enthusiasts to carry the load . Repeatedly i have called on the Co Founders to create the means to CONTRIBUTE Monies to help defray the expenses generated by their " DIE IN Actions " !

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/cyclists-stage-die-in-protest-after-latest-london-rider-fatality-175824

In 2015 there has been 6 Events in London brought about by HGV Traffic violence ! Each of these " Die INs " has had less Media Coverage than was deserved .

In recent days there has been a number of reports that indicate that WOMEN are suffering continual harassment as they take to the roads on their bikes :

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/jun/11/female-cyclists-bad-driving-harassment-study-uk-women-men-near-miss

http://gu.com/p/49kjf/fb

http://road.cc/content/news/154392-cyclists-experience-scary-near-miss-once-week-according-study

BULLIES will always seek to attack the weaker , thus even though they are in their mobile coffin , those chancers will prefer to risk confrontation with an older lady , than a young guy ?

Very few Cyclists have the ability or TIME to chase down the perpetrators , but i can tell you that in recent times , that when i have suffered as the result of a " Marked Vehicle " , i have gone to the office of the Vehicle Owner or the Head Contractor and caused them to seek out the driver for an explanation of their behaviour . Very rarely has there been a refusal to cooperate when dealt with on a person to person basis .

When more CYCLISTS / People on BIKES , take the time to deal with the Owner of the offending Vehicle , there will be a change of attitude , due to fear of the consequences of this " ANTI SOCIAL" behaviour ! What Business spends/wastes money to advertise themselves as a source of DANGER to their potential client base ?

Addition

++++++++++++

Those that live in Co. Wexford will be aware of the " Cycle Safety Signs " ?

To encourage MORE AWARENESS , there is a competition that can be joined by a visit to :

https://www.facebook.com/stayinaliveat1.5

SCAPEGOATING !

noreply@blogger.com (skippy) — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 18:17:00 +0000

67yo Bus Driver sentenced to 10years after Pleading Guilty to " Dangerous Driving "!

WHAT ABOUT his Bosses ?

This comment from another blog is relevant :

http://saferoxfordstreet.blogspot.com/

" For this trial to have had any real impact, Judge Kennedy should have placed Transport Commissioner Peter Hendy, MD Surface Transport Leon Daniel, and Stagecoach MD Mark Threapleton on the dock and interrogated them about bus performance contracts, driver working conditions, and common bus driver practices that may have influenced Mr. Todd's behaviour at the fateful (and fatal) moment. Until the cascade of responsibility falls on those people directly accountable for TfL's Bus Safety Black Hole, the system will always get the wrong men.

Yes someone has to pay back to Society , for DEATHS on London Roads , BUT , the Drivers are DIRECTED TO DRIVE in the way they DO !

THOSE directing are RESPONSIBLE , thus SHOULD ALSO be standing in the DOCK !

Did the Judge say THIS ? Quote from the Blog :

" Judge Kennedy merely treated this incident as a "one-off" traffic 'accident' that could have happened to anyone:

"All those who drive: look in the mirror, tell me if you ever got to the end of the road and wondered what happened in the last 150 yards. Thank god in that 150 yards nothing dreadful happened.

“If anyone tells me that that’s never happened to them I will tell them I don’t believe them.

“A tragedy occurred inexplicable of proper decision. There’s nothing I can do that will reverse the terrible consequences."

Wonder when the JUDGE will decide to retire , so as to make room for a person with an awareness of REALITY ?

In case TFL are so asleep that they have not registered this fact , i have copied an item from Paul Russell of CIRAS !

IT WILL COST YOU NOTHING for the Busses to be a MEMBER of CIRAS !

" I am seeking to engage with TfL on this matter soon and hope that we can progress towards establishing future membership. CIRAS will be exhibiting at Eurobus next month at the NEC, Birmingham, so if you or your colleagues are attending please come by the CIRAS stall, D19.

WHAT A BARGAIN !

For those that have difficulties in London with London Busses , here are 2 useful Email Addresses :

LeonDaniels@tfl.gov.uk Personal Experience has shown a certain level of cooperation

PeterHendy@Tfl.gov.uk

Sourced from this quote by @comadad

" In the end, I just tweeted the parent the emails of Peter Hendy (PeterHendy@Tfl.gov.uk) and Leon Daniels (LeonDaniels@tfl.gov.uk). If I was using my free time on Saturday to run interference for TfL, then why shouldn't its bosses have their day-of-rest disturbed too? The parent informed me that, to his credit, Leon Daniels did email back promptly on Saturday afternoon. I don't know what explanation the parent finally received from TfL, but Leon Daniels quick reaction gives me some hope that TfL management might cease to dismiss the feedback from pedestrians, cyclists, bus passengers, and bus drivers that I'm regularly publishing on my blog.

LONDON, arrive in Good Health , leave as a CASUALTY !

noreply@blogger.com (skippy) — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 18:36:00 +0000

Today i discovered WHY Cyclists are regarded as less than " Road Furniture "! Seems there is a group called the " Association of Chief police Officers "! These eminent menbers of the UK Establishment , have devised a way to keep the Courts free of Cycling related Casualty Prosecutions and thus save the Motorist MONEY !

Speed on UK roads , you are likely to get a request in the Post , demanding a remittance of your cash, drive through a Red Light , similar results ! You will also be told that your Licence has forfeited a certain number of POINTS ! In the UK you can lose 12 points before Panic sets in . There have been reports that a number of individuals have convinced the Judiciary to allow them to continue driving after amassing 43 POINTS ! All it required was a " Brief ( Smarmy lawyer who is mates with a key person )" and an appearance in court claiming that the loss of licence could cause " Personal Hardship " !

Well here is the thing , all of the above are at no cost to the personal health of other Road Users ! As a driver you would hope to avoid causing harm , to other Vulnerable Road Users ? Seems that if you do cause " Injury to V R U people , you may very likely NOT EVEN Lose Money , nor EVEN POINTS ! Seems that " ACPO " in their wisdom , have decided that Injuring Cyclists and Pedestrians , does not matter a DAMN !

In 2 cases that i am aware of , using the " ACPO Guidelines " , Police Authorities have rewarded the " Attempted Murder " of Cyclists , with a DAY OFF from driving , so as to attend a " Driver Improvement Course "! With the power of the Unions , these " Education Courses " would mean the " Traffic Violence Terrorist " will get PAID , whilst yawning through the events that will attempt to remind them of the matters they were required to know when they first sought the licence , that was in use when they MOWED Down the unfortunates that they overlooked as they operated their chosen KILLING MACHINE !

How these " ACPO Members " manage to sleep at night , is beyond me !

For speeding & running a Red light , Cash & points , for INFLICTING Pain & Suffering , a day off ?
We ALL hear of " Justice being BLIND ! Never expected to hear it was DUMB & STUPID !

Case 1 , 2 Manchester Lads Cycling from Manchester to Rome with the idea of supporting/fundraising for " Help4Heroes ". Severely Injured with weeks in Hospital in one case and yet the " perp. truck driver gets to yawn through a Day Off from Driving !

Case 2 , personal experience . Having arrived from the Tour de Romandie in London , i had completed my business and was heading for Oxon and thence the Manchester area , Riding on a Cycle Lane past a traffic Island , i found myself tossed like a Rag Doll , onto the pavement . The Mobile Police Command Centre Van , staffed by an Inspector & Sargeant , both bike riders to work , did all that was necessary to ensure a successful prosecution , yet some " Jobsworth " cocked a snoop at them and my Injuries and decided to REWARD the perp. driving the TFL D/Decker bus with a " DAY OFF " ! No cash penalty , no loss of points ! As it was lunchtime , i would hazard a guess that the driver had more on his mind than looking out for Cyclists ?

Currently i am in " No mans Land " , since i chose a " Lawyer " that seems to favour the TFL line of "No Purchase Receipts " for Garments and Equipment , thus not entitled to reimbursement , because we only pay CASH ! Even after advising the Names of my Sponsors/Donors , they are sitting on their hands ignoring common Justice . Had i been driving a Car , they would have gladly paid the Rental of a Vehicle , to get me to Belfast for the Giro D'Italia Grand Depart , for which i was heading at that time . I am sure they would have had no qualms about the expense of my trip around Eire in those Days that were on my way to Belfast ?

Below are a series of Emails that relate further info , on my attempts to obtain Justice in this matter :

" To:

Subject: LX/1501386/2014/CH

Date: Fri 08/15/14 02:20 AM

Attachments
Name Type Save View
Part 1.1 text/plain Save
Part 1.2 text/html Save
Letter 22 - NDAC 3rd party decision.doc application/msword Save View
Dear Mr McCarthy,

I am writing in regards to the accident you were involved in on 2nd May 2014 in Wandsworth Road, SW8.

Evidence suggests that the bus driver was at fault for the incident. It has been decided that the bus driver will be offered a place on a driver improvement course. If he fails the course or declines to attend we will proceed with court action against him for driving without due care and attention.

Please see attached letter. I have also posted a letter to you.

Kind regards

Colin Harris
Case Manager
Lambeth/Bexley
Traffic Criminal Justice OCU
Phone: 0207 230 0718
Fax: 0208 309 7773

#########################################################

Attn Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe

Commisioner of Metropolitan Police

London

Sir ,

As Commisioner of Metropolitan Police you have a considerable Pool of Talent available to deal with the myriad of Incidents that fall within your purview .

No doubt there are some that fall below the Level of Expertise that you would normally demand ?

The matter i now call your attention to , was attended by a Mini Bus full of your Met. Police Officers , who would have had every opportunity to gather sufficient evidence on the scene , to secure the conviction of the offending TFL Bus Driver ! Had i as a vehicle driver behaved in the same manner , i would no doubt have been issued with paperwork immediately , for at the minimum " Driving without due care and attention ", perhaps even speeding or passing too close to a Cyclist ? However because the vehicle is operated by a member of the TFL Consortia , the Inspector Beresford , or his Sargeant may have instructed the Woman Constable to only take down details , for later consideration ?

As far as anyone is concerned the Traffic Violence inflicted on me was due to my deciding to use that road to pass through London ? In the letter sent to me , there is a definite presumption that i deserve no better , for having decided to be a Bike Tourist in London !

After the November 2013 Cyclist deaths , your Police Force scored considerable Publicity with " Operation safeguard " , wherein Cyclists received countless numbers of " FPN " for a variety of offences , some of those offences in contradiction of the " ACPO guide lines "!

When was ramming a Cyclist in the rear on a " Marked CYCLE Lane " that passes a traffic Island , NOT an open & shut reason for a charge to be immediately imposed ? Attempted Manslaughter, Grevious Bodily Harm , etc , when using a FIST , but using 15 ton of a Metal blunt object , that is OKAY ?

Regretably this PATHETIC Example of " Fair Treatment " is not the only Traffic Violence that received the same treatment as shown in this Tweet/article : " Pedals for medals ?@Pedalsformedals May 5
@Dean_Bousfield, we will be going again, but we will need time to regroup and 'unfold' our bikes and bodies! @HelpforHeroes

So a Charity Group of " Ex Military Guys ( http://pedalsformedals.com/ ) " get wiped out by "Sleeping Driver " , they go to Hospital ( see Photo attached ) andd HE goes to a " Driver Improvement Course ! FAIR DEAL ? Well to the Admin Staff at the CPS ? YAWN ! To the attending Police Officers ? Frustration ?

Unless i am informed by return email / Tweet / other , that your office will review the matter URGENTLY , i will have to do as so many others have done , to have the matter reopened , in order to see the Driver Convicted , seek the services of the " IPCC " .

As you will see from the attachment below my signature , TFL are well known as a source of Misery to the Victims of their ongoing Traffic Violence :

Sincerely

M. Mc Carthy

Met Police Letter Ref : LX/1501386/2014/CH

Originating Officer : Colin.E.Harris@met.pnn.police.uk

#########################################################

From: "skippy mc carthy"

Reply-To:

To:

Cc:

Subject: MY REPLY Re: LX/1501386/2014/CH CONFIRM Receipt of Email THIS TIME !

Date: Sat 08/16/14 11:52 AM

Attachments
Name Type Save View
Message text/html Save
SO Disgusted with the reply , which no doubt , was not your decision , that i sent the following through the Facebook Social Media Page : www.facebook.com/metpoliceuk

" Attn Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe

Commisioner of Metropolitan Police

London

Sir ,

As Commisioner of Metropolitan Police you have a considerable Pool of Talent available to deal with the myriad of Incidents that fall within your purview .

No doubt there are some that fall below the Level of Expertise that you would normally demand ?

The matter i now call your attention to , was attended by a Mini Bus full of your Met. Police Officers , who would have had every opportunity to gather sufficient evidence on the scene , to secure the conviction of the offending TFL Bus Driver ! Had i as a vehicle driver behaved in the same manner , i would no doubt have been issued with paperwork immediately , for at the minimum " Driving without due care and attention ", perhaps even speeding or passing too close to a Cyclist ? However because the vehicle is operated by a member of the TFL Consortia , the Inspector Beresford , or his Sargeant may have instructed the Woman Constable to only take down details , for later consideration ?

As far as anyone is concerned the Traffic Violence inflicted on me was due to my deciding to use that road to pass through London ? In the letter sent to me , there is a definite presumption that i deserve no better , for having decided to be a Bike Tourist in London !

After the November 2013 Cyclist deaths , your Police Force scored considerable Publicity with " Operation safeguard " , wherein Cyclists received countless numbers of " FPN " for a variety of offences , some of those offences in contradiction of the " ACPO guide lines "!

When was ramming a Cyclist in the rear on a " Marked CYCLE Lane " that passes a traffic Island , NOT an open & shut reason for a charge to be immediately imposed ? Attempted Manslaughter , Grevious Bodily Harm , etc , when using a FIST , but using 15 ton of a Metal blunt object , that is OKAY ?

Regretably this PATHETIC Example of " Fair Treatment " is not the only Traffic Violence that received the same treatment as shown in this Tweet/article : " Pedals for medals ?@Pedalsformedals May 5
@Dean_Bousfield, we will be going again, but we will need time to regroup and 'unfold' our bikes and bodies! @HelpforHeroes

So a Charity Group of " Ex Military Guys ( http://pedalsformedals.com/ ) " get wiped out by " Sleeping Driver " , they go to Hospital ( see Photo attached ) and HE ( the perp. )goes to a " Driver Improvement Course ! FAIR DEAL ? Well to the Admin Staff at the CPS ? YAWN ! To the attending Police Officers ? Frustration ?

Unless i am informed by return email / Tweet / other , that your office will review the matter URGENTLY , i will have to do as so many others have done , to have the matter reopened , in order to see the Driver Convicted , seek the services of the " IPCC " .

As you will see from the attachment below my signature , TFL are well known as a source of Misery to the Victims of their ongoing Traffic Violence :

Sincerely

M. Mc Carthy
###########

No doubt , if there are conscientious people running that Facebook page , a copy will be on his desk on Monday ? Should i not receive your confirmation of this email by close of business on Monday , then i shall be following these examples :

http://saferoxfordstreet.blogspot.co.at/2013/12/protecting-their-own-what-i-learned.html IPCC by MP ?

The Met’s “re-investigation” of my case compelled by the IPCC simply confirmed that everything Met had done to investigate my collision had been carried out “within standard operating procedures” which - apparently - include:

Not interviewing the victim of a KSI collision involving a TfL bus during the formal investigation phase
Not revisiting the site of the collision during the IPCC-mandated reinvestigation
Not reconstructing the collision...ever.
Not collecting available CCTV evidence in time so it is destroyed
Not reviewing or analysing CCTV evidence (unless two years later and only if compelled to by the IPCC counts)
Not contacting key witnesses (even two years later and even though the Mayor's office managed to do so)
Not reviewing available CCTV evidence to see if it corroborates any witness statements.

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/cyclist-tells-of-struggle-for-justice-after-almost-dying-beneath-lorry-in-hackney-9670790.html

I have ridden my Bike at ProWorld Road Race Major Cycle Tour Events for the past 17 seasons , i did not spend the first 4 months of 2014 preparing to be cheated of success by some 2 bit TFL bus driver , who was probably speeding to his lunch !

You had better have ALL your ducks in a row , because i will be looking for a conviction of something more noteworthy than "Careless Driving "!

Sincerely

M. Mc Carthy
###################################
--- Colin.E.Harris@met.pnn.police.uk wrote:

From:
To:
Subject: LX/1501386/2014/CH
Date: Fri, 15 Aug 2014 09:19:59 +0000

Dear Mr McCarthy,

I am writing in regards to the accident you were involved in on 2nd May 2014 in Wandsworth Road, SW8.

Evidence suggests that the bus driver was at fault for the incident. It has been decided that the bus driver will be offered a place on a driver improvement course. If he fails the course or declines to attend we will proceed with court action against him for driving without due care and attention.

Please see attached letter. I have also posted a letter to you.

Kind regards

Colin Harris
Case Manager
Lambeth/Bexley
Traffic Criminal Justice OCU
Phone: 0207 230 0718
Fax: 0208 309 7773

Total Policing is the Met's commitment to be on the streets and in your communities to catch offenders, prevent crime and support victims. We are here for London, working with you to make our capital safer.

Consider our environment - please do not print this email unless absolutely necessary.

NOTICE - This email and any attachments may be confidential, subject to copyright and/or legal privilege and are intended solely for the use of the intended recipient. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender and delete it from your system. To avoid incurring legal liabilities, you must not distribute or copy the information in this email without the permission of the sender. MPS communication systems are monitored to the extent permitted by law. Consequently, any email and/or attachments may be read by monitoring staff. Only specified personnel are authorised to conclude any binding agreement on behalf of the MPS by email. The MPS accepts no responsibility for unauthorised agreements reached with other employees or agents. The security of this email and any attachments cannot be guaranteed. Email messages are routinely scanned but malicious software infection and corruption of content can still occur during transmission over the Internet. Any views or opinions expressed in this communication are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).

Find us at:

Facebook: Facebook.com/metpoliceuk
Twitter: @metpoliceuk

#####################################################

My Reply

" Totally ignoring my previous Email , means that i have NO REGRETS about advising the world about YOUR abismal efforts on my behalf ! That YOU failed to show even the courtesy of inquiring after my HEALTH , demonstrates that you are worthy of the title " Mr jobsworth "!!

Together with the TFL Personnel that i have had occasion to deal with , i regard you as little better than the dross at the bottom of the barrel !

I am not alone in being treated to this cavalier attitude , since i saw thatt 2 Manchester Area Men , were treated to the same disregard , when skittled by a trucker , whilst riding from Manchester to Rome , in support of the " Help4Heroes Charity "!

When you find yourself mown down by 15 tonnes of metal , forgive me if i hope it is by someone that your organisation , gave a " Day Off " , to revise " Skills " required BEFORE being allowed to turn on the ignition of the vehicle that they had become licenced to drive !

That both the attending Inspector and Sargeant , that attended my " TRAFFIC VIOLENCE Incident " , they Cycle to work , took the time to see that my Incident was properly documented to ensure a SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION , and YOU and YOUR colleagues have SNUBBED their efforts speak volumes for the current " Sweep under the carpet " attitude that prevails for Victims of TFL !

The Met. Police have an " Anti Terrorism Unit " to safeguard the Citizens of London , who would be better employed dealing with those that TERRORISE CYCLISTS !

When 9 Cyclists were KILLED in November 2013 , the Met. Police solution was " Operation Safeguard "! Great effort to solve the problem ? Since when did VEHICLES have the right to RAM Cyclists off the road ? Releasing Police Officers , not properly aware of the UK Laws about CYCLING , on a STOP Cyclists Exercise to TELL THEM that they should be wearing Helmets and Wearing High Vis. garments , none of which are required by the Highway Code , OR , UK Laws demonstrates a level of STUPIDITY that is also demonstrated by giving a TFL Bus Driver a " PAID HOLIDAY " for ramming a Cyclist , and thus causing 5 months ( so Far ) of pain & suffering !

YOU think you are finished with this matter ?

Think AGAIN , jobsworth !

Your Superiors will find the Blogs generated , UNCOMFORTABLE Reading !

Under is the email , previously sent , just so YOU can avoid claiming that it was unseen !

Sincerely

M.Mc Carthy

###########################

From: "skippy mc carthy"

Reply-To:

To:

Cc:

Subject: MY REPLY Re: LX/1501386/2014/CH CONFIRM Receipt of Email THIS TIME !

Date: Sat 08/16/14 11:52 AM

Attachments
Name Type Save View
Message text/html Save
SO Disgusted with the reply , which no doubt , was not your decision , that i sent the following through the Facebook Social Media Page : www.facebook.com/metpoliceuk

" Attn Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe

Commisioner of Metropolitan Police

London

Sir ,

As Commisioner of Metropolitan Police you have a considerable Pool of Talent available to deal with the myriad of Incidents that fall within your purview .

No doubt there are some that fall below the Level of Expertise that you would normally demand ?

The matter i now call your attention to , was attended by a Mini Bus full of your Met. Police Officers , who would have had every opportunity to gather sufficient evidence on the scene , to secure the conviction of the offending TFL Bus Driver ! Had i as a vehicle driver behaved in the same manner , i would no doubt have been issued with paperwork immediately , for at the minimum " Driving without due care and attention ", perhaps even speeding or passing too close to a Cyclist ? However because the vehicle is operated by a member of the TFL Consortia , the Inspector Beresford , or his Sargeant may have instructed the Woman Constable to only take down details , for later consideration ?

As far as anyone is concerned the Traffic Violence inflicted on me was due to my deciding to use that road to pass through London ? In the letter sent to me , there is a definite presumption that i deserve no better , for having decided to be a Bike Tourist in London !

After the November 2013 Cyclist deaths , your Police Force scored considerable Publicity with " Operation safeguard " , wherein Cyclists received countless numbers of " FPN " for a variety of offences , some of those offences in contradiction of the " ACPO guide lines "!

When was ramming a Cyclist in the rear on a " Marked CYCLE Lane " that passes a traffic Island , NOT an open & shut reason for a charge to be immediately imposed ? Attempted Manslaughter , Grevious Bodily Harm , etc , when using a FIST , but using 15 ton of a Metal blunt object , that is OKAY ?

Regretably this PATHETIC Example of " Fair Treatment " is not the only Traffic Violence that received the same treatment as shown in this Tweet/article : " Pedals for medals ‏@Pedalsformedals May 5
@Dean_Bousfield, we will be going again, but we will need time to regroup and 'unfold' our bikes and bodies! @HelpforHeroes

So a Charity Group of " Ex Military Guys ( http://pedalsformedals.com/ ) " get wiped out by " Sleeping Driver " , they go to Hospital ( see Photo attached ) andd HE goes to a " Driver Improvement Course ! FAIR DEAL ? Well to the Admin Staff at the CPS ? YAWN ! To the attending Police Officers ? Frustration ?

Unless i am informed by return email / Tweet / other , that your office will review the matter URGENTLY , i will have to do as so many others have done , to have the matter reopened , in order to see the Driver Convicted , seek the services of the " IPCC " .

As you will see from the attachment below my signature , TFL are well known as a source of Misery to the Victims of their ongoing Traffic Violence :

Sincerely

M. Mc Carthy
###########

No doubt , if there are conscientious people running that Facebook page , a copy will be on his desk on Monday ? Should i not receive your confirmation of this email by close of business on Monday , then i shall be following these examples :

FROM http://saferoxfordstreet.blogspot.co.at/2013/12/protecting-their-own-what-i-learned.html IPCC by MP ?

" The Met’s “re-investigation” of my case compelled by the IPCC simply confirmed that everything Met had done to investigate my collision had been carried out “within standard operating procedures” which - apparently - include:

Not interviewing the victim of a KSI collision involving a TfL bus during the formal investigation phase
Not revisiting the site of the collision during the IPCC-mandated reinvestigation
Not reconstructing the collision...ever.
Not collecting available CCTV evidence in time so it is destroyed
Not reviewing or analysing CCTV evidence (unless two years later and only if compelled to by the IPCC counts)
Not contacting key witnesses (even two years later and even though the Mayor's office managed to do so)
Not reviewing available CCTV evidence to see if it corroborates any witness statements.

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/cyclist-tells-of-struggle-for-justice-after-almost-dying-beneath-lorry-in-hackney-9670790.html

I have ridden my Bike at ProWorld Road Race Major Cycle Tour Events for the past 17 seasons , i did not spend the first 4 months of 2014 preparing to be cheated of success by some 2 bit TFL bus driver , who was probably speeding to his lunch !

You had better have ALL your ducks in a row , because i will be looking for a conviction of something more noteworthy than "Careless Driving "!

Sincerely

M. Mc Carthy
###################################

--- Colin.E.Harris@met.pnn.police.uk wrote:

From:
To:
Subject: LX/1501386/2014/CH
Date: Fri, 15 Aug 2014 09:19:59 +0000

Dear Mr McCarthy,

I am writing in regards to the accident you were involved in on 2nd May 2014 in Wandsworth Road, SW8.

Evidence suggests that the bus driver was at fault for the incident. It has been decided that the bus driver will be offered a place on a driver improvement course. If he fails the course or declines to attend we will proceed with court action against him for driving without due care and attention.

Please see attached letter. I have also posted a letter to you.

Kind regards

Colin Harris
Case Manager
Lambeth/Bexley
Traffic Criminal Justice OCU
Phone: 0207 230 0718
Fax: 0208 309 7773

#########################################

letter from colin : yet to scan this into Computer

##########################################

From:
To:
Subject: : " JOBSWORTH Effort "!!
Date: Mon, 6 Oct 2014 09:40:38 +0000

Dear Mr McCarthy
Your e mail has been passed to me as the senior police staff manager in charge of Mr Harris. I will review your case and respond to you ASAP,it is too early to say at this moment if you have any genuine reason to complain as your e mail is a mixture of personal abuse,threats and a general tirade against the system.
One thing which cannot be changed is our action in your case the offender has taken a course and as such cannot be prosecuted for your collision as this is considered by the law as an abuse of process.

Yours Sincerely

Trevor Benton.

############################################

my reply

Thankyou for your prompt attention and email . Somewhere i mentioned that your colleague was the victim of the system , that you have to work within !

Whilst i am only aware of the two cases mentioned , mine and the 2 Charity riders for " Help4Heroes " , i am almost certain that there are countless others , that have suffered the same fate . The derision that the judiciary holds to that 2nd class citizen , the Vulnerable Road User !

We CHOOSE to ride bikes , we Choose to leave our vehicles at home , yet reading , listening and watching the Media , we are little more than " MOBILE Road Furniture "! Indeed there are Politicians that have stated similar sentimen ts , such as those described in that website :

www.facebook.com/groups/stopkillingcyclists/1505539113030329 ( it may be Southwark Council ? )

When you consider that a Mobile Police Command Van attended the scene of the Traffic Violence and that the Ambulance Crew required tthat i travel to Hospital and abandon the Bike to other arrangements , it must be clear that ENOUGH EVIDENCE wouldd have been collected to eensure a successful prosecution of the errant driver .

That he was given a " DAY OFF WORK " as a reward for whatever negligence he displayed , is an insult to ALL that attended and tried to assist me there ! That a similar reward was made to the Driver thatt albut killed the Charity Riders adds further derision to this form of dealing with Traffic Violence !

Politicians are involved in deciding the form of retribution meted out to the " Errant Drivers " , much to the frustration of the thinking person , yet , very little appears to be happening to ensure that the " Victims " are fairly treated .

I chose to suffer the pain and after being delivered by the Police Van to a Bike shop , i took the cheapest options to stay mobile . It is being held against me by those at TFL that i was wearing clothes provided to me and using equipment that was also provided . it is their contention at present that until i provide receipts for PURCHASE , the destroyed /damaged property has NO VALUE ! Yet they only wish to give me cents on the euro , if i had those receipts ! Had the bus rammed my car , i would have had a rental provided and the car returned to a similar condition , paintwork and roadworthy .

5 months later i am still suffering a slight problem with my elbow and the " Lawyer ( my unfortunate choice ) prefers that i travel at expense to London for Examination by Specialists . I would sooner go without , than trust the NHS or UK Specialists to tell me what an Austria Doctor is MORE CAPABLE of telling me .

Frankly the System you administer is BROKE ! Having to work within it must be the source of Daily Frustration ?

No doubt your examination of this case will show that your colleague has done his job to the " Specifications required " , BUT , why do you ALL , not remedy the situation by ensuring , that those that IMPOSE these lenient " slap on the limp wrist " penalties , replace it with FINANCIAL PENALTIES and loss of POINTS ?

With Unions requiring that " Education Courses " be on Paid Work Time , it is likely that the Errant drivers are even PAID to learn/revise ALL they were required to know to obtain the Licence in use at the time they delivered their NEGLECTFUL actions !

Sincerely

M. Mc Carthy

This email will also receive exposure on Social Media !

#####################################################

Plagerised

noreply@blogger.com (skippy) — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 10:54:00 +0000

Someone else's work below , that sums up the situation in the UK , where Cycling & Cyclists are an after thought for the majority of Politicians ! Pity they keep on harping about Cycling to get elected , but move on before doing anything worthwhile towards delivering ?

Bozo the clown , known currently as the " Lord Mayor of london " has recently announced that he is seeking to become a Member of Parliament in 2015 . Could it be that he knows the game of Blind Man's Bluff , is OVER ? Everything that he has promised is still virtually UNDELIVERED ! Each year funds brought down to be spent , are in many cases returned to the exchequer , UNSPENT !

Far from being the champion of Cyclists , he appears to be the blight that has seen Failure to Deliver , THRIVE ! Who follows him ? Can they be any worse ?

The iten following appears to highlight the malaise that Cyclists currently endure :

" A day in the life of a British transport officer: "

"Hi there! Welcome to our lovely new cycle-safe British roundabout. On your bike yeah? OK, get off the road via this dangerous kerb onto a shared path that requires you to do a 90 degree turn. Obey all the signs telling you that you are of inferior status to pedestrians and must give way to them so that they feel entitled to shout abuse at you even when you're using the designated shared path. Let me show you our lovely toucan crossing for bikes. Take a seat for a few minutes whilst we let fresh air go past just in case a car might come by. Oh, now you're at the crossing would you mind awfully dismounting for no reason whatsoever. So you have to do that at each arm of the junction you need to cross.

Ready to get back on the road? Right, we've helpfully placed a glass and oil-covered kerb at a right angle so you can swing right out in front of that lorry that can't see you behind all the 'give way to pedestrians' 'cyclists dismount' and 'no cycling' signs and that lovely tree we planted to make the design look pretty. We helpfully ensured that the carriageway narrows just after the junction, so any drivers coming through will think they have space to overtake you safely when they don't. Just remember your body is a traffic-calming measure to make sure that both you and the drivers around you feel anything other than calm, just keep on riding and they'll slow down. Ahem.

When you're back on the road, make your way on the pothole and debris covered cycle lane that is clearly indicated by some worn out paint and a few other random old road markings we couldn't be arsed to remove properly. This cycle lane lasts for the grand distance of 25 metres and stops at a particularly dangerous secondary junction, where motor vehicles will cut in front of you. Oh, did you go over that poorly-signed section of path that is actually safer to ride on, but we forgot to designate as a shared path? Sorry, I'm going to need all your personal details and £90, this should only take another 20 minutes.

Now, if you look to the left there are some blokes in a van who need to hurl abuse at you and swerve into you for their amusement. That will be closely followed by a lorry that cannot legally be on the road driven by someone who is tired and can't see anything around them. Some cars with people on mobile phones driving them will be milling around too-isn't modern communication wonderful! Don't worry if any of them run you over killing or maiming you, if they cry and say they didn't see you, they won't be prosecuted.

Ah, you're wondering about that traffic sign in the bike lane leading back to the carriageway? Ah yes, well, if you could just vanish into nothingness for a few seconds, you'll pass it without any bother. Cross over to the footpath for 5 metres though and I'll be needing another £90.

Just to let you know there's a Police officer from Operation Safeway round the corner who has just ticketed a couple of drivers and will need to give you a bollocking for something like not wearing a helmet or high viz. Yes I know that's not illegal, but how can they be seen to be fair if they don't randomly harass a load of cyclists whilst ignoring all the drivers stopped in the wonderful ASL we put in for you.

Please smile and wave as you go past the Mayor and the press who are here to celebrate the opening of this fantastic new cycling facility. We spent most of the cash putting in extra traffic lanes and on consultants who have much more important things to do than ride a bike themselves - that's what this tiny proportion of funding is for isn't it? Oh yes, and thanks for taking part in the consultation process, that submission you spent hours on was read by a secretary who filed it away neatly. Well, no, we couldn't do what the Dutch do, we have to find our own solutions and with these three traffic lanes, there just isn't room for a protected cycle track. We do have an exchanging places event next weekend though, where you can exchange with a lorry driver so you can be horrified at how little they can see around them. Er, no, it's actually a special kind of exchange where the driver can bore you to death about how terrible cyclists are; that's much better than making them have a go on a bike in traffic around other HGVs.

Pick your jaw off the ground and be on your way, I guess I'll be seeing you later though: we're doing a travel options survey down at the hospital. Oh, I almost forgot, have this glossy cycle map of all the half-arsed and non-existent cycle facilities in the area - yes that road is a cycle route. Why? Well we put it on this map and there's a painted bike symbol on the road that no-one understands and a couple of blue bike signs that community volunteers have helpfully added their own tips to, like 'f*ck cyclists' and then turned out of sight of drivers. Have a great day now! Urgh, glad that tosser's gone now. Bloody cyclists!"

NO DAMAGE ? Doesn't matter then !

noreply@blogger.com (skippy) — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 08:28:00 +0000

Deja Vue ? Another example of " Careless / inconsiderate Driving or worse ? Reaching the point that the B171 an Austrian Road that stretches from the German Border through Tirol to Vorarlberg , is not a safe place to ride a BIKE ! Even when you ride on this route you are subjected to " Subliminal Ads / discarded Red bull Cans " ! No doubt there are some tthat recall my blog post on this matter many months ago ?

Here is my comment to the Seattle Blog , where the 3rd/4th Death of a Vulnerable Road user in a Suburb was reported today :

" http://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2014/03/24/kenmore-19-year-old-killed-while-biking-in-crosswalk/#more-263194

Police throughout the World have reached the point where they ask , "Are you hurt , is there property damage "?

Answer NO ?

" Doesn't matter then " ! They take no notes and show you the door !

Yesterday in Tirol , Austria , just such an occasion :

1045am eastbound on B171 in sunny , dry conditions about 100M inside the 60kph zone , as i was passed by a grey opel 4 door , the wing mirror was folded back by a touch on my body . The driver was so intent on turning into the RHS side street that i had to go around with them , as i beat my closed fist on the passenger window . Wearing a bright green wind jacket with orange parcel on the tri bars , it would be a BLIND driver that was unable to see me !

Having come to a stop , in a way that a person might make a U turn , i went around the front of the opel to speak to the driver . She looked at me , looked to see the road was clear and drove off in the easterly direction . Fortunately she arrived in a traffic queue , so that i was able to catch up and bang the window and indicate to pull over . She ignored this and as the traffic started , she drove away with the following truck banging on his klaxon indicating his impatience .

Local Polizei Officer ( in 50s thus not taught English at school ) unable to speak precise English , did as i requested , called for English Speaking help . Though i only lost half an hour , it would appear that Austria Law will not allow me driver details and since they took no detail , for them the matter is of NO CONSEQUENCE !

THIS driver will continue to behave in a similar manner until she leaves someone for DEAD ! The Polizei will appeal for " Witnesses / the perpetrator THEN , but what can be expected until the Traffic Laws are reviewed ? Polizei handcuffed by regulation is the NIGHTMARE of the Vulnerable !

Are YOU supposed to call an Ambulance , each time you are touched by /or sent flying off the bike with no apparent damage , by a VEHICLE ? Seems to be the ONLY course left in order to get an OFFICIAL record of an event such as these !

At 68yo , i have ridden more than 7000km this year , including the bulk of the " Tirreno-Adriatico ProWorld Road Race . I am not found riding less than 35kph unless uphill , so there is NO EXCUSE for a following Vehicle to claim iam impeding their progress !

As an advocate for " Physically Challenged Sport " i am known in many Sports , i have NO WISH to join their ranks , nor wear a wooden overcoat !

As a matter of course i try to find those that cause me grief on the road ! I follow them into the Client they are delivering/ collecting , follow to their Depot or House . There i explain in plain language the consequences of their thoughtless behaviour , remind them that since they do not see the front of the Cyclist , it could very well be Members of their FAMILY or their Church , then ask them HOW THEY WOULD FEEL ?

Very few take the " Couldn't care less approach " , some Company Management will ask for the Polizei to be called , thinking that this will result in the matter going away . What many Truck Company Executives need to remember is that their Drivers when involved in a Road death , COULD be considered for a "Corporate Manslaughter Charge " ! When a few of these hit the Headlines , it will be TOO LATE for the Cyclist/Pedestrian involved , but perhaps it may result in a rewrite of the Road Codes allowing for STIFFER Penalties !

Recently i remarked on an anomaly in the UK Road Code ! It allowed for those Cretins who leave a Person for DEAD after a " Coward Pass ( hit & run ) , then " hand themselves in " after Sobering Up/ Drug Use disipating , thus being charged with " Leaving the Scene,etc " with a minimal sentence , rather than risking the 14 years for " Death by Dangerous driving ,etc "!

YES it is " Human Nature " to save your neck , but the " Testing Facilities " are there which can detect and extrapolate the usuage many days later ! YES it costs MONEY and locking up ther perp does not bring back the VICTIM !

Do we have to wait until it is the Family of a Prominaent Politician before there is ACTION ?

Vision-ZERO-Worldwide

noreply@blogger.com (skippy) — Sun, 02 Feb 2014 16:42:00 +0000

THE correct Link to the PAGE :

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Vision-ZERO-Worldwide/540123632761709

with the effort to get the Graphics created , i made several mistakes . It appears that you can GOOGLE the Title . At present it is the 3rd item , that comes up on my computer , not necessarily for others ? Once i have the French & Italian translations available , i will return to Sterndruck.at , to rectify the facebook address !

Worldwide , the " COWARD PASS ( hit & run ) " and " BULLYING PASS ( near miss of mm ) " is on the increase , as shown by the number of Media Reports ! Would it be that Media , are ONLY NOW realising that these problems have been there for decades ?

The Times of London have been straddling the fence in recent days with their input . On the one hand , they created " Cities fit for Cycling " , after the near fatal collision , involving their staff member , Mary Bowes , whose perpetrator got off LIGHTLY , when prosecuted in Court during 2013 . In recent days they carried a report about interaction of Cyclists with Pedestrians . The Headline left Pedestrians and Drivers , thinking that Cyclists , were responsible for collisions with Pedestrians ! Those who read the article carefully saw that the Collisions , took place on the ROADWAY , not on the pavement !

Since when can a pedestrian wander off the pavement , without looking , perhaps fiddling with their Cell phone / Ipad /electronic device , and expect the road to be EMPTY ? Reports suggest the " Transport for London Buses are involved with a DAILY " Killed or Seriously Injured Incident "!

My tweets on this subject :

‏@skippydetour

@MayorofLondon With TFL Buses having a Daily KSI, can you name TODAY'S VICTIM? WHEN will U START "VisionZEROLondon"? When U R PM? START NOW!

Credit is due to BoJo as he has tackled the UK Government about Larger HGV s which are seeking to use UK Roads :

skippy mc carthy ‏@skippydetourJan 31

@MayorofLondon With TFL Buses having a Daily KSI, can you name TODAY'S VICTIM? WHEN will U START "VisionZEROLondon"? When U R PM? START NOW!
Expand
- Reply
- Delete
- Favorite
- Buffer
1. skippy mc carthy ‏@skippydetourJan 31
  
  @MayorofLondon U think 130 FPN will cause fit of Safety Equip ?http://buff.ly/1de86YW UK full of Gambler! 1000+ will DO JOB! 1 1/2M SAfePass

Frankly , there is one clear solution to STOPPING these Huge HGV s from entering London , sTOP them at the Ferry Ports ! A few white lines painted on the approach to the Customs / Immigration Control Office , with overhead CCTV Cameras will record the Reg.# of the vehicle and their OVERSIZE , so there is no later dispute with regard to Legal Action entered into by the Inconvenienced Parties :

‏@skippydetour

@number10gov @MayorofLondon Have Problem with http://buff.ly/1eiN3cl  UK Does NOT let them on FERRY! Might not RIGHT!

Around the Christmas Period there was a period of " Victim Bashing " , when the Authorities THOUGHT it a GOOD IDEA to launch " Operation SAFEWAY "! 35 times as many Cyclists were Stopped and " fined" by " Police Officers " , ill equipped to handle the situation ! rather than encouraging cooperation with CYCLISTS , they demonstrated that the POLICE had in most cases NO IDEA , what the " Highway Code " had to say about " Cycling " ! Result of this INEPT Operation was it being labelled "  #OpGRIM" by ALL concerned . In addition , the 1999 Guidelines on Fixed Penalty Notices , were dug out and reissued  :

skippy mc carthy ‏@skippydetourJan 27

@policeChiefs "93%of 754/Cyclist& 98%Car stopped had no training" http://road.cc/content/news/109108-greater-manchester-police-under-intense-criticism-they-host-twitter-chat-about … … … Biased POV! SHAME on U! pic.twitter.com/jLm8ImCIFm
Expand
- Reply
- Delete
- Favorite
- Buffer
skippy mc carthy ‏@skippydetourJan 27

@PoliceChiefs #opgrim in 2012 1 UK ped kill/Cyclist & 253/ DRIVE! BIAS? NO? 1 eye Police ATTITUDE To Cyclist! WRONG !

Many Cycling Safety Org.s wrote to the Policing Authorities as a result of "#OpGrim " and my Tweet was:

‏@skippydetour

This is my response to the Group's Great work : DO LIKEWISE Folks ?A letter to Sir Hugh Orde :  " info@acpo.pnn.police.ukSir ,  In respons…

More resulted as the story grew :

‏@skippydetour

3/3 @MayorofLondon @David_Cameron @TonyAbbottMHR This http://buff.ly/1jgM0dM  unacceptable whilst this http://buff.ly/1jgM2Td  & others ACT !

‏@skippydetour

2/3 @MayorofLondon @David_Cameron @TonyAbbottMHR This http://buff.ly/1jgM915    unacceptable whilst this http://buff.ly/1jgM9hi  &others ACT  

‏@skippydetour

1/3 @MayorofLondon @David_Cameron @TonyAbbottMHR This http://buff.ly/1jgMeSe    unacceptable whilst this http://buff.ly/1jgMdOm  & others ACT 

skippy mc carthy ‏@skippydetourJan 19

@MayorofLondon @David_Cameron @TonyAbbottMHR COWARD PASS stopped by Onlooker! No Susp.Licence http://buff.ly/1fMyC36
Expand
- Reply
- Delete
- Favorite
- Buffer
skippy mc carthy ‏@skippydetourJan 19

@MayorofLondon @David_Cameron @TonyAbbottMHR IF doubt READ http://buff.ly/1fM3HUw & http://buff.ly/1fM3HUy CYCLISTS W/wide Disdained by U !
Expand
- Reply
- Delete
- Favorite
- Buffer
skippy mc carthy ‏@skippydetourJan 19

@MayorofLondon @David_Cameron @TonyAbbottMHR http://Parrabuddy.blogspot.com highlights the UNIVERSAL Cycling Safety Problem that YOU FAIL 2 SOLVE !
Expand
- Reply
- Delete
- Favorite
- Buffer
skippy mc carthy ‏@skippydetourJan 19

@MayorofLondon @David_Cameron @TonyAbbottMHR http://Parrabuddy.blogspot.com NOW highlights the UNIVERSAL Cycling Safety Problem that YOU ALL FAIL !

SINCE I HAVE HAD NO REPLIES , or even RT (retweet ) , the minions are sifting out the message to their Principals ?   When it happens to THEIR Family , what then ?

Demonstrating that Social Media has consequences , was the prosecution in Norfolk of a woman that Tweeted about her " BULLYING PASS " , which gained her International notoriety , lost her , her Job and emptied her pockets ! Luckily for her , it was not a  " COWARD PASS " , which could have seen her in Jail !  

Today we have another case of "TWEETING Stupidity " , the man involved drives his Employers vehicle , the SOUTH Australian Police , his Employers and a variety of Cycling Safety Org.s are ALL alerted . What chance does he have of sitting in the truck on monday ( t/row ) , let alone driving it , as he is employed to do ? How many more out there like him , that carry THAT Attitude ?

Currently there is a Petition in Australia , started in Tassie as a result of the " Coward Pass " on a young Rower , out on the training Cycle ride , backed by @AmyGillettFdn . ALL that is being asked for , is 1M safe Pass to be a Federal LAW ! With the EU having 1 1/2M in place , it is disappointing that Australian Law Makers are reluctant to aCT !  Time the gutless led by @tonyabbottmhr , got around to recognising the interesting fact that 4 million Aussies ride REGULARLY and that 7.3 MILLION bikes were sold in a period of 2007 to 2011 , as reported here :

http://www.examiner.com.au/story/2057704/cyclists-fight-uphill-battle-to-gain-respect/

The CPS , that bunch of spineless individuals , that the hard pressed Police Officers have come to " despise/ hate " , decided to go for " reduced charges " since they wanted a 100% proof prosecution rather than prefer a variety , so that the Magistrate could choose the level of PENALTY  to impose !

Too often now the " Policing Authorities " are finding that they wish to meet the Public's wish for MEANINGFUL Sentencing for " Road Crimes " , yet the CPS ( Criminal Prosecuting service ) decide to go for lower Penalties in order to get ANY CONVICTION  !  " Jury Blaming " is not acceptable , as an excuse , the JUDICIARY , should be instructing the Jurors to set aside THEIR FEELINGS , they are there to decide THE LAW and the appropriate decision as to whether it has been broken !  THEY are NOT there to decide WHAT PENALTY THEY WOULD WISH TO RECEIVE , if in the same situation ! Read the Media articles , then ask yourself , " WHAT WERE THEY THINKING "?

In the light of this MESS , the CPS and the Juries attitude to those being Prosecuted , the CTC ( Cycling Touring Club Charity ) has created the following Petition :

http://www.roadjustice.org.uk/police-petition

Hopefully the Authorities will respond FAVOURABLY ?

With Police Officers , reported to say "

“you cyclists take your lives into your own hands”.

Can CYCLISTS , after bing "skittled " expect an overnight change in the attitude of " Institutionalised Neglect "?

DOUBTFUL !

The PETITION :

Petition the police: the recommendations

Road Justice: the role of the police highlights failures of the police and the lack of resources available to support road traffic policing. These must be addressed to help improve safety for cyclists.

The report sets out the following 10 recommendations including how will we know when we have succeeded.

Click here to go back to the petition.

Additional Cycling Specific rules applicable in Adelaide , Australia :

CYCLING SPECIFIC ROAD RULES : http://m.couriermail.com.au/news/national/how-drivers-and-cyclists-are-doing-battle-on-daily-commute-on-adelaides-roads/story-fnii5yv5-1226815871934

HAND signals must be given when turning right

CYCLISTS may ride in an emergency stopping lane unless prohibited by a sign

CYCLISTS cannot ride more than two abreast unless overtaking.

WHEN riding two abreast riders should not be more than 1.5m apart.

CYCLISTS may ride in bicycle, tram, bus and transit lanes unless prohibited by a NO BICYCLES sign

CYCLISTS must ride in the bicycle lane unless it is impractical to do so

ONLY a rider of a bicycle who is under 12 years of age may ride on a footpath

THE rider of a bicycle must wear an approved bicycle helmet

AT night the bicycle must have a flashing or steady white light that is clearly visible for at least 200 metres from the front of the bicycle; and a flashing or steady red light that is clearly visible for at least 200 metres from the rear of the bicycle

CYCLISTS must not lead an animal while riding a bicycle either on a path or a road.

RIGHT of WAY AUSTRALIA

noreply@blogger.com (skippy) — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 16:18:00 +0000

The Petition created to try to AID Cyclists is limping along , one added person ,
daily ,
since the start of 2014!

Would anyone believe " LinkedIN" claim that i have contact through their " Network System " with 9.88Million people ? Pure & Utter BS ! Even FARCEbook with 4000+ " friends" has turned up it's toes !

For those that have been sitting on their hands , telling themselves, they will join when 100 , OR , 1000 are signed on , SHAME ON YOU ! Cyclists are Dying because they are being BULLIED on the Roads , Every day , EVERYWHERE ! No matter WHERE you live , getting HOME from a ride , without some hassle is an achievement these days :

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

Seeing the following article i thought to tackle the situation from a new perspective

http://m.autoblog.com/2014/01/04/nyc-mayor-di-blasio-tracking-traffic-fatalities-vision-zero/

With this in mind i have written the instigator of Right of Way New York City , seeking assistance . In the meanwhile i have adapted their " Mission Statement " for use in Oz :

MISSION STATEMENT :

“ Traffic fatalities are ubiquitous, tragic, and entirely preventable. We hope this campaign wakes people up to these facts, as well, and inspires them to join this movement .

The Attitude that Cyclists are " Road furniture/obstacles " is NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE !

Complacent Judiciary dealing leniently with Cyclist Injury and Death is NOT ACCEPTABLE !

Those that honk Cyclists , throw objects at Cyclists , edge Cyclists off the roads , your idea of " SPORT " is NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE !

I have also adapted their Media Release :

" FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE "

Contacts:

Skippy Mc Carthy Email : skippi@ausi.com

Twitter : @skippydetour

Facebook : Skippy Mc Carthy

LinkedIN : SkippyAus

ACTIVIST LAUNCHES INTERNET CAMPAIGN TO TRACK TRAFFIC DEATHS, REMINDING AUSTRALIAN POLITICIANS that ANY CYCLIST DEATH is NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE !

Webpage tracks deaths of all road users, compares number to previous years , 2010 to 2013 ( Time needed to obtain Statistics Timelines ), to determine if AUSTRALIA is on course to achieve Zero TOLLERANCE by 2024, and alert AUSTRALIAN AUTHORITIES to progress every time someone is killed in traffic via dozens of Twitter accounts ( to be detailed )!

What:
Beginning from the January 1st 2014 , the website RightofwayAUTRALIA/ZeroTOLLERANCEClock will automatically ( within days ) update every time a pedestrian, cyclist, or driver/passenger is killed in traffic, providing transparency as to whether AUSTRALIA is on course to achieve this NEED to eliminate traffic fatalities by 2024, with updates echoed by dozens of safe streets activits who have linked their twitter accounts to the CAMPAIGN page.

AUSTRALIA 2013 had TOO MANY CYCLIST DEATHS ( http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2014-01-01/national-road-tolls-2013/5181358 ) : Making eliminating traffic fatalities part of the transportation platform of AUSTRALIA'S FUTURE is AN URGENT NEED of Every STATE Government. A plan to achieve ‘ Zero Tollerance ’ must include a “comprehensive approach that balances smart Road and Street design choices, sweeping expansion of 30-kph ‘slow zones,’ expanded enforcement of reckless driving such as speeding and failure to yield to pedestrians, SAfe Passing of Cyclists and a camera-based deterrent and enforcement system that is free from politics,” as well as complete street redesigns of the most dangerous Junctions for Cyclists in each State Capital .

“Achieving Zero Tollerance " by 2024 demands decisive action starting on Day 1, with " Right of WayAustralia " , “There will obviously be many competing interests for Government Attention but when the 2013 Financial losses of $500 Million ( Never forget the Family Trauma ) due to Traffic Incidents are taken into consideration then the Australian Government can have NO HIGHER Priority " ? When State Governments return to their Offices after the Summer Holidays , it will already be TOO LATE for so many Traffic Victims and THEIR Families ! With people of all ages being killed in traffic across the Continent nearly every single day, Zero Tollerance must remain a top priority . ALL Stats 2013
Politicians must take every step possible to achieve ZERO Tollerance .
” Right of Way AUSTRALIA " will launch the " Zero Tollerance Clock Campaign ", in a few days , to keep this critical issue on the front burner, alert the Authorities every time a tragedy occurs on the streets, and let them know if they are doing enough to fulfill this NEED! “Ultimately, even one more CYCLIST Death is unacceptable,”

Lots of work ahead trying to find the Statistics from 2010 through 2013 !

https://www.facebook.com/RIGHTOFWAYAUSTRALIA

Visit and click " LIKE " then sign the petition , IT WON'T HURT YOU !

14th Jan 2014
==========
This is how London Metro Police hope to save CYCLISTS' LIVES :

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/14000-fines-are-handed-out-in-london-cycle-safety-blitz-9058360.html

FRIDAY the 13th !

noreply@blogger.com (skippy) — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 19:56:00 +0000

Social Media puts us in touch with people from ALL parts of the World ! With facebook , i was directed to a US Safety Org. , " LOOK : Save a LIFE "! Of course i added that site to my " followers " and enjoyed receiving notifications on my Timeline , from time to time . It was a good source of Info , since it covered other countries , in addition to Arizona , USA . I was seeing another's point of view and thus was more informed of what else was happening in the world .

Another site was highlighted by the Queensland based " SafeCyclingOZ " in recent days , " http://www.dearmotorist.com/ . It came as a surprise to find that " LOOK : Save a LIFE " , was the second story related amongst several stories ! Here are the Author's words :

" It’s a strange thing, being able to ride more than a hundred miles on any given day and wake up in a hospital bed- not able to perform simple tasks such as walking or going to the bathroom. Please do not ever take life for granted!! "

Not sure if i even noticed , that i hadn't seen a Notification from this source in recent weeks/months ? Wonder how many of you would comment if this blog was stagnant for a few months ?

Fact is , even though i have been blowing hard on the petition :

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

So far 11 people have decided to add their name !

Shameful , that nearly a month has passed and that is the result ?

Friday 13th December , started with me rolling late out of bed , with the knowledge that there was to be a hard frost . Thursday a Dental visit in Schwaz , resulted in a broken front tooth being removed and necesitating a return in the afternoon . When i rode back Mid Afternoon i found that the work could not be done and agreed to return Friday morning , since i had no other commitments .

Past few days with Frost on the roads has encouraged me to wear longs , ear covering and heavier gloves . With burning cheeks , the rest of me feels warm enough but the traffic has other ideas about a Cyclist being on the road on a Sunny Winter's day . Heading west on my Shopping Bike , the yellow/black Sapin , that i took to this year's Le Tour i passed through the centre of Munster . It was calm so 35+kph was a comfortable pace , but i could hear what would turn out to be a Builders Forklift/Scoop gaining on me . As he slowly passed the road was clear , but the following car decided that being alongside me was the place to be whilst they assessed the chance to pass .

The road is wide enough for two semi trailer / Coaches to pass , but not for a car to be alongside a Cycle at 35+kph . I knew that the first sign of a car would result in the car doing a right swerve to avoid any chance of a head on , so i rapped on the passenger/ right side Glass window , got the " WTF are you still there for " look , then a car appeared from along the other side of the road . Instead of dropping back the car immediately edged right , pushing me closer to the kerb . No harm done this time , but when will he be in Court , excusing himself for serious injury/death of another cyclist ?

Last weekend i saw info on a " 2 view Helmet camera ( front & rear simultaneous ) " , having emailed the Vendor , it is annoying that they don't respond in a timely way to the Format they created ! Had i had that camera attached , " Herr Dimsquat " would be browning his undies with the Polizei ! Even though i was 5+metres from the back of the Machinery , this miscreant couldn't wait to push me out of the way , looking to save HOW MANY SECONDS ? So chancing his luck in a 50kph zone , he then swung out got around the " dumpster " wearing a 40kph sticker , and was soon only an annoying incident . As the dumpster headed up the incline towards Weising , i lost the draught and then trailed him onto the main Brixlegg-Schwaz B171 road .

About a kilometre before Jenbach junction , i was tooted by a grey Opel , totally unneccesary action , but i thought about what to say when i caught up at the traffic lights , which i felt certain he could not get through in under two phases . This week the English News relayed the results of 2 english having an altercation about a " Disabled Parking Bay "! Punches exchanged resulted in a Death and the assailant copping a 5 year holiday of Her Majesty's Pleasure . Caught in the queue , the Opel driver wound down the window , when i appered alongside . His comment " It is winter , Ausgets ( get off road?)" , silly OLD fool , turned off the road 100m later , into a supermarket . Must be an Incontinent in urgent need of a toilet . Wonder if he has the courage to toot the next Cyclist he sees riding the Winter Roads ?

By the time i passed through the Jenbach intersection , the " dumpster " was a distant memory and i was alone on my side of the road . Not for long though , there was a car approaching determined to enter the 50kph zone at about 100+kph as it tried to reach the front of a convoy of vehicles sticking to under the 90kph required . Would have been tough luck for " Herr want to be Boy Racer ", if he arrived at the red light and had to wait whilst all those overtaken got a left hand turn green . Not much you can do when the oncoming vehicle is determined to break the law , a mouthful of spit on the windscreen , doesn't count for much ?

On entering Schwaz there is the usual road furniture approaching the first of two roundabouts . As i always take middle of the lane , i was not concerned about the air brakes of the following heavy truck , through the roundabout , onto the second , exiting this time i found that a car had pushed through delaying the truck , then started to try to force passage between me and the central paving . As soon as that finished he was alongside , red faced screaming at his closed window before roaring off to join the queue at the next roundabout , several seconds later . All that , for being able to demonstrate stupidity and how to waste fuel ?

The return journey was made on a quieter road , i thought ! This road is the southern of 3 roads running through several small villages . With it being just short of Mid Day , people are normally heading home for lunch . In one of these villages i was surprised to find a White Suzuki Swift rush out of a minor road on my left hand side directly into my line of travel . At about 40kph i was left with little option but to swerve towards the kerb , hitting a drain hole , which as it turned out caused a puncture and slight wheel buckle . Herr Sh#t for brains , late for lunch , didn't even notice there was other road users ? i guess he makes the same journey , each day . Next Tuesday i will be in the same area , i will arrive early and await his arrival . I am sure he will understand when i present him with 3 inner tubes .

As mentioned , a slow puncture developed and i made it to the Polizei post in Strass . Their reception area is warm and as it turned out it was just as well as i spent the better part of an hour changing tubes due to forgetting a previous problem when the sidewall was damaged . After leaving there i headed for home and in time found i had another leak . Pulled up at the side of the road and had a nice young fellow give me a ride to the door . With him being on Facebook , i am sure he will get to read the link to this post , so thanks to Florian , for the ride and speaking English to a lazy old fart .

WHO needs EXCUSES ?

noreply@blogger.com (skippy) — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 19:50:00 +0000

Cycling is NOT something that the Chief of New Scotland Yard , Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, the Metropolitan Police commissioner does , he revealed when interviewed on BBC London Radio recently ! Unlike Boris ( motormouth ) Johnson
who has claimed responsibility for the increase in Cycling in the City that he supervises as Lord Mayor.

Emulating " Monty Python Antics" with this ?

" Mr Johnson says that his cycle lanes are safe, and that some cyclists ought to be more careful—not wearing headphones, for example".

Both of these gents were commenting on the loss of 6 Cyclists in 9 days on London Roads , a significant loss , against the previous calendar year of 2012 , when only 14 Cyclists were lost in Traffic "Accidents /Incidents "! Boris with Bernie

Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe had this to say on the Radio :

“I’ve never been a big bike rider anyway but it seems to be that if you get it wrong, or the driver gets it wrong, the person that’s going to pay is the cyclist.

“It seems to me that there’s a lot of traffic and personally I wouldn’t (cycle). But of course some people don’t have the choice; economically it’s not easy you know.

Later in the day he had to issue the following Statement when the earlier comments caused people to assume that he had implied that Cyclists were "skint /poor / :

“I was expressing a personal view as a non-cyclist and I would like to clarify my position.

“There is no doubt that despite the growth of cycling in London, it has got safer and its cost effectiveness and health benefits make it an attractive option for many people."

The graph here shows clearly that there is a

problem on London roads . From reliable

sources , " From TfLs own statistics, in 2012

there were 14 cyclist fatalities and 657 serious

cyclist casualties." Reports in the Media , indicate there have been 13 Cyclist Deaths in the UK ( mid month ) , so far in November 2013 .

With the spike of Cyclist Fatalities , Boris has been reported to make outlandish claims which reflect very poorly on his character . Bear in mind that there is an expectation , that when he finishes as Mayor , he plans to take up residence in the House of Commons ( US House of Reps ) , on his way to seeking the Job of Prime Minister ! With English Politics being what it is at present , ANY Comic , has a good chance ?

Some of those suffering the hazards of London Roads , have this to say , on the subject of London Transport

" The odd day when I have to travel by public transport is miserable, stuck standing on a bus in traffic inhaling everyone else's breath, or squashed on the tube in a tunnel everytime I do it I consider what a difference cycling to work could make to the lives of the people travelling in misery and paying for the priviledge! "It seems to me there is a lot of traffic" - yes well done Bernie that's the chief problem, hence trying to get more people on bikes, hence all the fuss when they keep getting killed, keep up. The various comments from people in power this week have been astonishing.

" No Mr Hogan-Howe, when I was working in London I rode cos

1) It was farking great
2) I got to work buzzing and wide awake
3) 8 miles took me 25 mins by bike, 45-50 mins by train/tube and over an hour to drive.

" Poor dear. Benefits of my regular commute:

* better physical and psychological health

* increased concentration levels at work

* less illness

* it's quicker

Bernie mate, it's not the money,"

Whilst this was going on , the Judiciary in Norfolk were busy collecting Revenue from a Self Proclaimed "#bloodycyclist " tweeter ! In revealing that she had " skittled a Cyclist " , she tweeted :

" Definitely knocked a cyclist off his bike earlier. I have right of way – he doesn't even pay road tax!" and came with the hashtag, #bloodycyclists."

She was convicted of " Failing to Stop & Failing to report " an accident ! The more important charge , She was found not guilty of " careless driving."! Can you believe that SHE confessed to the CRIME , yet it is not accepted as a CRIME ? Relieved of GBP637 , there is no report of whether the Cyclist has received any recompense for the damage to bike or " slight Injuries suffered ?

http://road.cc/content/news/99337-ctc-says-emma-way-case-shows-need-police-investigate-hit-and-run-incidents#comment-212059

Another JUDICIAL failure was in Oxford where a bus collided with a Cyclist , whilst on it's way to a rest stop . When the Cyclist caught up , he was PLAIN Spoken about the incident , to a brazen , uncaring female driver :

" Lee said: “I tried to talk to her and she said she didn’t care and to report her.

“It was quite a serious thing to happen to me and it shook me up.

“I complained to the company and the bus driver was sacked, but she got her job back on appeal.

“She got a second chance so I’m just asking for one for me. I sincerely apologise to everyone.”

http://road.cc/content/news/99401-cyclist-knocked-bus-guilty-threatening-behaviour#comment-211726

HE now has a Criminal record , after paying out GBP35 and LAUGHABLY " Victim Costs of GBP15 " ! The " LAW is an ASS ", surely applies here ? In addition there appears to be no record , of her conviction for similar offences to the " Emma WAY matter "?

In the Comic relief segment of the news , you find this GEM :

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/tory-peer-claims-london-cyclists-are-longing-to-be-run-down-by-drivers-so-they-can-film-them-doing-so-8955248.html

some of the comments are hilarious , yet this pompous fool , really believes that what he had to say was relevant to the current Road Carnage .

Even the Canadians wonder IF Cyclists being KILLED on the roads is a Crime :

http://www.treehugger.com/bikes/lets-stop-calling-murder-cyclists-people-driving-bmws-accidents.html

Rising Canadian squash star Adrian Dudzicki was murdered yesterday by Aleksey Aleksev, while riding his bicycle to practice in Toronto. The weapon was a 1992 BMW 325; Aleksev has been charged with dangerous driving causing death and criminal negligence causing death.

Not seen the Excuses offered by the Car driver !

Another Canadian " Incident " demonstrates that a Car driver can KILL , but there are ONLY Complaints about Cyclists :

http://www.treehugger.com/bikes/when-an-81-year-old-driver-kills-an-84-year-old-cyclist-why-do-they-blame-the-victim.html

This could ONLY happen in the USA :

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/opinion/57157696-82/cyclists-canyon-accident-driver.html.csp

This month, two cyclists traveling in bike lanes up canyon roads have been struck head-on by cars. In both cases, the drivers crossed the center line and the opposite lane to collide with the cyclists near or on the far shoulder ("Utah Judge Anthony Quinn killed in canyon auto-bike accident," Tribune, Oct. 24).

They don't shoot " Judges "? They run them down !

According to USA Today:

Fatality rates for drivers begin to climb after age 65, according to a recent study by Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh and the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, based on data from 1999-2004. From ages 75 to 84, the rate of about three deaths per 100 million miles driven is equal to the death rate of teenage drivers. For drivers 85 and older, the fatality rate skyrockets to nearly four times higher than that for teens.
And yet when an 81 year old driver kills an 84 year old cyclist, everyone blames the victim and demands bike licensing and there is not a peep, anywhere, about whether 81 year old drivers should be relicenced. Why is there this disconnect?

Because there are millions of voting seniors who can't live without their cars, and seniors are about the only people who pay for newspapers anymore. But cyclists? Who cares as long as they get out of the way.

Sydney , Australia has seen it's share of recent Cyclist Deaths , as has South Africa , both of whom are trying to have Laws revised to reflect the need for 1 1/2M safe passing and " Strict Liability " , as in Europe .

A South African article :
http://rideyourcity.wordpress.com/2013/05/21/pedal-power-submits-impressive-comment-to-the-draft-safetyof-cyclists-regulations/#comment-980

Victoria State of Australia , seems to have taken a STRONG Step forward in their current Road Safety Campaign starting TODAY , 25th November , with the imposition of $A437 fines AND 4 Demerit Points for Each Use of Mobile Technology , unrelated to Driving :

Cyclists don't seem to care to much about " Safety Issues " , since the following is being IGNORED :

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

Seems to be an issue that few will worry about until they find themselves in a strange country , after an unpleasant experience ?

HOW HARD is it for English Speaking Countries to copy Europe with :

1 1/2M ( 5ft ) Safe Passing , EVERYWHERE ?

Strict Liability Laws :

Compulsory Check of ALL Traffic Incident participants' Cell/Mobile Phone Records

My Facebook comment on the Change.org Petition :

" These people will not be signing ANY Petition to improve Cycling Safety Issues :

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

Details of the 13 cyclists to die so far in 2013 in London can be found below:

1: George Orrey, Leytonstone hit and run, Feb 9 (v car): http://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/wife-of-cyclist-tells-hitandrun-driver-come-to-the-mortuary-8494815.html

2: Dr Katharine Giles, Victoria Street, April 8 (v HGV): http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/parents-of-cycling-death-scientist-dr-katharine-giles-pay-tribute-to-her-groundbreaking-work-on-climate-change-8568020.html

3: Paul Hutcheson, Lewisham, June 24 (v car): http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/wife-of-cyclist-killed-in-suspected-hit-and-run-in-lewisham-pays-heartbreaking-tribute-to-her-soul-mate-8675885.html

4: Philippine de Gerin-Ricard, Boris bike rider, Aldgate/Whitechapel, July 5 (v HGV): http://lydall.standard.co.uk/2013/10/mother-of-first-borisbiker-to-die-my-daughter-was-an-innocent-victim-of-dangerous-roads.html

5: Alan Neve, Holborn, July 15 (v HGV): http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/family-pay-tribute-to-kind-compassionate-loving-alan-neve-51-who-was-killed-when-hit-by-tipper-truck-in-holborn-8713203.html

6: Dr Clive Richards, Archway Road, August 5 (v HGV): http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/protect-cyclists-say-family-of-ex-gp-killed-in-crash-on-archway-road-8752093.html

7: Chiara Giacomini, West Dulwich, September 4 (v HGV) : http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/tributes-flood-in-to-cyclist-killed-in-dulwich-on-day-mayor-announced-fines-for-hgvs-flouting-safety-measures-8801141.html

8: Maria Karsa, Aldgate/Whitechapel, September 15 (died September 22) (v HGV): http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/ill-never-ride-a-bike-again-says-boyfriend-of-young-cyclist-dragged-under-tipper-truck-in-aldgate-8838507.html

9: Brian Holt, November 5, Mile End Road (v HGV): http://road.cc/content/news/98457-mile-end-death-cyclist-named-another-critical-after-coach-crash

10: Francis Golding, Southampton Row , Nov 5 (died November 8) (v coach): http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/cyclist-killed-in-holborn-coach-crash-named-as-architecture-expert-francis-golding-8932634.html

11: Roger De Klerk, East Croydon, November 12 (v 410 bus): http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/london-cyclist-deaths-met-warning-over-hgv-killing-machines-8941184.html

12: Venera Minakhmetova, Bow roundabout/Cycle Superhighway 2, November 13 (v HGV): http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/russian-tech-entrepreneur-24-is-named-as-12th-cyclist-to-die-in-london-this-year-8939369.html

13: Unidentified man, Whitechapel High Street, November 13 (died nov 14) (v 205 bus): http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/mayor-boris-johnson-warns-london-cyclists-against-taking-risky-decisions-after-fifth-rider-death-in-nine-days-8938505.html

For a comparison of statistics showing the number of cyclists killed or seriously injured since 2000, and whether cycling in London is getting safer or more dangerous, see this blog post by Adam Bienkov.

OK TO KILL CYCLISTS ?

noreply@blogger.com (skippy) — Sun, 10 Nov 2013 08:38:00 +0000

NO !

But the Judiciary behaves as if it is !

Point a GUN at a citizen ANYWHERE and SWAT Teams are called out , Every Law Enforcement on the Radio Network , leaves their Meals , Desks or other Policing matters to show up at the scene !

Drive a vehicle over a Cyclist and you will be SYMPATHISED with , by L.E.O. , by standers , MEDIA , your neighbours and Family , because YOU are TRAUMATISED ! Too bad about the Cyclist ! Too bad about THEIR Family ! Lets think about the living , after all , it could happen to US/me ? Right ?

WRONG !

CYCLISTS are people , they HELP YOU ! They choose to ride , when the easy option is to jump in that Vehicle , that they ALSO own , to do that neighbourhood chore ! Forgotten the milk , hop on the bike !

https://www.facebook.com/events/355336574602747/permalink/355434251259646/

Too many in vehicles are SINGLE occupant on their way , to a nearby destination . Was it laziness that decided the use of the vehicle ? TOO hard to put on a Helmet , get the bike out on the road ? How convenient is the vehicle parked at the front door ? Does it need to be a situation , where if you make the choice of a vehicle rather than the bike , that you will lose the parking space ? That may apply in larger Cities , but in the Burbs ?

Just as Cyclists do not consciously think about the CARBON Footprint , nor does the vehicle user . Those that are thinking about the Planet , are fewer than people realise . Certainly there is a growing conscientiousness of the need to conserve the Planet's resources , BUT , " i'll just nip down the road " , doesn't enter that discussion ?

TIME THAT CYCLISTS WERE RECOGNISED AS HUMAN BEINGS !

They are part of YOUR Neighbourhood , Family AND Social Network .

Above is the photo of a family that was happily enjoying life in Brisbane , Australia , until the mother was out Cycling one day !

Here follows the photo , of a Cyclist ( www.amygillett.org.au ) that was out training with her colleagues , 8 years back !

Here is a photo of a Guy , Joshua Alper ,http://news.ucsc.edu/2013/11/in-memoriam-josh-alper.html ) that the local LEO , thought was not worth writing a Citation against the driver , when struck and killed !

Countless cases of the Judiciary , throughout the world , demonstrate that they do not do the work for which they receive Salary ! Some are " Elected Officials " , others Salaried Employees ! ALL with an " attitude problem " that needs ajustment ? Wonder how they deal with the LOSS of THEIR Family OR Friends ?

This article deals with some of the News Items that i have seen elsewhere during the past months :

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2013/11/10/opinion/sunday/is-it-ok-to-kill-cyclists.html?h=DAQGcofbg&s=1&enc=AZP9sIKlwFvgQ2tQFu5pIoK1ELDWOyB1xDTkEzwZqFrersT7MDKxnPY8YS5Q4Lsx2e8&pagewanted=all

Each Cyclist has contributed to THEIR Community , in their OWN way ! As you operate that Vehicle , are you 100% attentive to the task at hand ? So many think that they are ! They are busy texting , tweeting , smoking , eating , speaking and DREAMING , that they so many times say " SMIDSY "! Yes , there are some that " the sun was in my eyes " , " they came out of nowhere " , apologists , as well as " S orry M ate I D idn't S ee Y ou ( SMIDSY ) "!

Follow My example , make YOUR Legislature AWARE ! Here are a few people that i think COULD MAKE A Difference , IF they choose :

‏@skippydetour

@TonyAbbottMHR @gaudryt @inrng @jaimiefuller @BrianCooksonUCI @UCI_cycling  Makes 1 1/2M MATTER NOW! pic.twitter.com/GRtYWHr2xC

When i saw this article i responded :

http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1258267/media-advisory-photo-opportunity-paralympic-gold-medallist-to-lay-wreath-at-ottawa-remembrance-day-ceremony

It reminded me of this article :

http://inrng.com/2013/11/fallen-cyclists-war-stories/

AS we celebrate Remembrance Sunday , in OUR own way , is it not time to remember FALLEN CYCLISTS ? They set out to enjoy their day , yet their family are left bereft ! Wonder when there will be a DAY , to mark " The Unnecessary Passing of ALL Cyclists "?

As i finish this post , i find that an injured Sydney Cyclist , has reportedly died of the injuries that left him in a Coma . He had been riding with a Local Group near Kurnell , a suburb , South of Sydney 's Botany Bay and Airport . No vehicle involved , BUT , will the local authorities have to answer to the Coroner for the state of the Cycle Path being used ?

http://t.co/20JpBfy4A2

Is it not TIME , to have a dedicated Sunday , to remember THOSE Cyclists lost on the roads ? There are SO MANY other Events for a variety of reasons , BUT , Cyclists come from ALL walks of life and their LOSS impacts on the WHOLE Community ?

Here is the link to show ONE Family , they are in OUR thoughts :

Acc Name.... A Night For Michelle Fundraiser. Commonwealth Bank. BSB 064 172...a/c: 1068 2330.

ON A LIGHTER NOTE !

This is the result of the " Summer Time Hour being changed "! Some people would have for gotten that the clocks going back an hour meant that it was darker the next working Monday ?

http://road.cc/content/news/98467-lightless-cyclist-locked-lancashire-police

Lots of laughs in the comments :

" Maybe a good solution is for the police to team up with a bike shop and then do a 'stop and fit or get a fine' initiative.

The police would get to enforce the law in a way that's friendly and helpful, cyclists get lit up properly and it would also save money on handing out then rescinding fines. A local bike shop would do a decent trade as well.

If any cyclists refused to fit lights, then fine them for being a dickhead."

" I wonder whether the Police officer concerned and custody Sergeant that didn't query the offence oughtn't to be charged with wasting police time. At the very least they ought to be docked the wages for the time spent on this.

" The main thing people are missing with this is the fact he is in Blackpool and was being nicked for not having any illumination.

Blackpool.

Illuminations.

Ah, feck it, pearls before swine...

" Quite, I couldn't agree more.

And while we are at it, we should reintroduce the Birch for pavement parking and hanging for drunk driving, speeding, driving while using a handheld mobile phone, driving a car through a red traffic light etc etc.

" CPS - Can't Prosecute S***e! Great post, well considered and thank goodness there are people like you out there!

MY NEIGHBOUR ! What chance with others ?

noreply@blogger.com (skippy) — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 08:57:00 +0000

SMIDSY ( S orry M ate I d idn't s ee Y OU ) from a neighbour , hurrying to a Sunday afternoon drive ?

An attitude of "I AM BIGGER THAN YOU " , as the blue estate car pulled into a slightly wider street , from the one lane track that runs past his house . I have not had a look to see if this peasant , actually lives in that lane , which i am allowed to ride a bike along , but is signposted against " Rat running ". No point as he had driven off elsewhere .

Living in rural Tirol ( An area bidding for the UCI Road Race Champs in 2016? ) of Austria , in the village of a Radio Shack Racer , you would think that the locals are aware of Cyclists . Not so , the local Polizei only see me when the local turd complains about me stopping them in their driveway to explain that , " I ride to promote " BEHINDERTEN ( disabled/para ) SPORT " , not to join them !

My gate is on RHS of photo past house , note the road sign and width of lane used by neighbour ! The white car is about where the Blue Estate car stopped.

The road i live in , is 40kph and 10M east of my entrance there is a choke point that is wide enough for a Bus/Truck to pass through whilst others travelling west wait . Regularly in the afternoon , as i sit in the sun , i see Coaches having to back up East , so as to allow another Bus/Coach/truck to pass through . No doubt this is because there is more backed up traffic going west ? This road is NOT the main road , but has become an escape route since local bus services use it to capture more passengers in the winter . Many of the houses , are winter accomodation for Skiers , thus walking in Ski Boots and carrying Skis , etc , poses an unacceptable burden for the visitor ? Local traffic at this time of year involves many tractors towing extra sized Farm machinery .

My gate is on LHS of photo

When the village has the " Speed Radar Display ", and when i am not aware of it , i usually see 35kph displayed , but when i know it is there , i am trying for in excess of 45kph , OOps , i meant 40kph ! This village is 40kph throughout , but vehicles make sure they get in front of you , before they decide to observe the " Speed Limit ", when they remember ?

Yesterday , i was 50M from my gate bowling along at 30+kph , when " Herr A**ole , arrived at the end of his lane , looked at me , ABSOLUTELY SURE he saw me , looked right for vehicles , then drove into my space ! The part of the road i was on , was NOT WIDE ENOUGH for 2 vehicles to pass , but hey a BIKE, THAT CAN STOP , can't it ? Well i went left and stopped in his path , he stopped blocking the road , looked at me , like " WHAT ARE YOU DOING THERE "? Then imperiously waved , get out of my way ! Woman passenger was looking at me saying something , then at him , then he shrugged , like " What do we do now "? Well no point talking to him , hopefully the woman was filling his ear ?

Previous blogposts , have mentioned a variety of other incidents in this road , let alone elsewhere . Fact is , whereever you live as a Cyclist , you can NOT RELAX , each vehicle poses a hazard , regardless of whether it is following or coming towards you . Brad Wiggins wins the " Le Tour " and a neighbour rewards him with a visit to Hospital . Regular reports of Racers of every Cycling discipline feature in the Media and it is ALWAYS reported as the Media's " impression ", that the CYCLIST was the cause of THEIR Misfortune !

CYCLISTS choose to ride the roads for a variety of reasons . In my case , yesterday was a means to get out and about , after watching the Solden Ski Races on Eurosport . In past years , i would arrive in the Resort on Tuesday with my bike , ride to the Glacier on several days , ski with the Racers on their training tracks and ASK them to speak about " Para Sport " with the Media . Since my " Fund Raiser " at Solden in 1998 , i have rarely missed Solden or the Kitzbuhel Weekend , but this year with no car the past 2 months , i have been disinclined to rent a car to make the journey . My original plan was to have headed to Oz after this event but as yet still awaiting replies to some matters that i started enquiries about in August ! Some "Jobsworth " is about to receive a kicking from their Head of Department , particularly when i post the blog on that story !

AS most reading will know , i support several " Cycle Safety Blog/Websites " but i am going to plagerise a new site i found today , since it reveals many of the issues i have previously mentioned !

http://www.amygillett.org.au/oct2013enews

http://www.tcs.cam.ac.uk/sport/0030608-the-on-going-fight-against-gender-division-in-sport.html

http://www.facebook.com/SafeCyclingAustralia?ref=stream&hc_location=stream

The New site :

https://aaron-ball.squarespace.com/cycling-in-brisbane

A selection of points :

" what needs to be done is:

1. Proper funding and world best practice design, even if it means taking space away from moving and parked cars. This doesn't mean separated Copenhagen-style paths on every street. It means useful, connected, planned bike routes where necessary, which are separated from cars.

2. Lowering speed limits: 30kph on local streets and 50kph on connector roads. Here in Brisbane, and in most Australian cities, the default speed limit is 50kph. That means that even little laneways, cul-de-sacs, residential neighbourhoods, nursing homes etc. etc. drivers can drive at 50kph and usually drive at 60kph happily. Next up in the hierarchy of roads, collector roads which provide local access but also move traffic from local roads to main routes, speed limits are usually 60kph or 70kph, which means drivers do anywhere between 65 to 80 kph. Seriously, if you drive around Brisbane at or below the speed limit, you will get honked at, abused, or cut off by irate drivers who want to stay with the flow of traffic (generally 5 to 10 kph above the posted limit.

3. Changes to the road rules so that cyclists don't have to pretend to be cars, or are at least protected from cars. Bicycles are not cars and should not be categorised as 'vehicles'. The average person cannot propel a bicycle so as to beat a car to a destination further than 5km away. The average person probably couldn't propel a bicycle across an intersection quicker than a car. Being forced to do so (by having to stop at stop signs or red lights, and being prohibited from crossing with pedestrians) means the average person won't even try.

4. Get rid of mandatory helmet laws. There's lots of evidence that while helmets may prevent some types of head injury in the unlikely event of some types of crashes, the social damage mandatory helmet laws cause (disincentive to cycling, shaping cycling culture as a male-dominated sporting culture, risk compensation, signalling that cyclists are responsible for mitigating danger etc. etc.) far outweighs the advantages. Despite this, State Government still churns out the propaganda.

Some submissions call for an awareness campaign. Even though none have worked before, not even Scotland's depressingly fucked up Niceway Code campaign (which even goes so far to say that cyclists are not even a subspecies, they're horses).

The problem with most government produced awareness campaigns is that they are usually undermined by government's inherent, car-centric bias. Some pinhead in Scotland's traffic department probably thought cyclists wouldn't mind being ridiculed, if it got drivers onside. I wonder how many Scottish cyclists get carrots thrown at them instead of beer bottles.

Australian governments have the same bias. For example, Queensland's 'Share the Road' campaign went to great lengths to deliver twin messages with equal weighting: It takes two to tango, so cyclists follow the road rules and motorists give cyclists plenty of room. Thereby entrenching the fallacy that cyclists disobey the road rules more than cars do.

Here's the message for drivers, encouraging them to give cyclists plenty of room on the road:

Those reading the above points will have seen much of the same in Blogs from UK, US European & other Oz sites !

TONY ABBOTT ! A Cyclist at RISK ?

noreply@blogger.com (skippy) — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 17:57:00 +0000

tony

Sunday Morning after a late night celebrating , becoming the New Prime Minister of Australia ,
found Tony on his bike , an occurence that is reported to be a daily activity . Seems that he is the type of person that enjoys starting the day in the fresh air . As a private citizen he would be an anonymous figure riding the roads of Canberra whilst Parliament is in Session , perhaps less so when at the Family home in the Sydney suburbs?

Like every other Cyclist he would be risking his life when in close proximity to those that have a grudge against Cyclists ? Where ever in the world you live , it appears that the " Vehicle Operator " regards a cyclist as " road furniture "! What is in the mind of those that jump in their vehicle ? Does enclosing themselves in a vehicle change their " MINDSET " , causing them to ignore their responsibility to other Road Users ?

Normally i regard Trucks as being driven by " PROFESSIONAL Drivers " , in general the greater percentage are thoughtful on country roads . There are a few that need a reminder , having me tell their Client at pickup , about their driving behaviour as they arrive to make that delivery or pickup , comes as a surprise that they and their employer don't enjoy . Imagine how the client feels about their " Products " travelling with a driver who has a blatant disregard to others on the road ? Not ALL Clients will call the driver's employer or the alternative , the Polizei, but the fact that you have turned up on their doorstep adds to the daily burden and i doubt that the driver will be prepared to risk a repeat of the event ?

Cyclist Safety is currently getting some attention by the Queensland Government in Australia . Many Witnesses have been invited to OFFER their evidence to the Committee . Many Cyclist Safety Groups such as the " Amy Gillett Foundation " & " Safe cycling Australia " have added their views . Other parties such as Vehicle Operators have also been offered the opportunity .

In declining to attend this Committee , the " Queensland TruckingAssociation Ltd", sent the following letter :

24th September 2013

Howard Hobbs MP
Chair
Transport, Housing and Local Government Committee
Parliament House
George Street
Brisbane Qld 4000 Your Ref: CYC_130912_03

Dear Howard
Re: Inquiry into Cycling Issues
I write to provide a brief response to the Transport Housing and Local Government Committee,
Inquiry into Cycling Issues.
I am unable to accept the invitation to appear before your Committee on the 1st
October 2013 due
to prior commitments.
My submission takes the form of some general comments without necessarily specifically
addressing the dot points (Terms of Reference) in the email dated 12th September 2013.
I am familiar with the presentation to your Committee by the Department of Transport and Main
Roads. I support in general the Department’s submissions.
The Queensland Trucking Association Ltd is the pre-eminent spokesgroup of heavy vehicle
operators involved in the delivery of the Hire and Reward freight task. The freight task is critically
important to the Queensland economy and the Queensland community and already operators
under a range of parameters imposed by Road Law.
For further detail of the freight task and the important role of the heavy vehicle industry I refer you
to the following:
 The Draft Moving Freight Strategy shortly to be endorsed and released by Government. The
Minister for Transport and Main Roads held a meeting of key stakeholders on the 18th July
2013 and sought detailed submissions/responses from key stakeholders.
 The Queensland Road Safety Action Plan 2013/15, in particular those elements which have a
direct impact on heavy vehicle safety. My Association is engaged with the Department ofTransport and Main Roads to further develop activities and strategies designed to deliver
heavy vehicle safety outcomes.
 The Australian Trucking Association recently released a report titled - Future Strategy for
Road Supply & Charging which can be accessed via the link embedded in the title of the
report. This document was prepared by and reflects the views of PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Its primary function is to address the issues of heavy vehicle charging and road pricing. You
may find this document valuable in understanding the demographics of our industry and the
challenge of finding a balance between road pricing (registration charges and fuel excise) and
supply side reform (road funding).

My Association has a very firm view that we need to participate as an industry with the community
in the reduction of road crashes and fatalities. It is our view that a significant component of actions
to be taken include education of the community and more broadly all road users including cyclists

in Sharing the Road with Heavy Vehicles.

It is our considered view that your Committee not recommend solutions in relation to cyclists
safety which would make it even harder to manage safety outcomes for heavy vehicles, light
commercial vehicles and other road users. An example of such policy failure was the trial
introduction of confining heavy vehicles to a single lane (the left hand lane) on the Brisbane Urban
Corridor three years ago. This so called solution was un-enforceable from a policing perspective,
created significant risks for motorists turning into or out of access on the left hand side of those
roads which make up the Brisbane Urban Corridor e.g. Mt Gravatt-Capalaba and Kessels Roads.
In our view any considerations and recommendations of your Committee must be enforceable,
must be practicable and must not impede the efficiency, productivity and safety of all other road
users in particular the heavy vehicle/freight industry.
Summary
I trust that these few comments assist your Committee, provide insight into the heavy vehicle
industry and the freight task and direct you to a number of documents to assist in that regard.

Yours Sincerely
Peter Garske
Chief Executive Officer

PO Box 325, Stones Corner Qld 4120 Ph: (07) 3394 4388 Fax: (07) 3397 9324

Transport Industry House, 1/96 Cleveland Street, Stones Corner admin@qta.com.au http://www.qta.com.au
Delivering to Queensland Since 1907 ~ The Industry Voice to Government

As i am sure people are aware , this letter is written by the " VESTED INTEREST GROUP"!

thus this : " in Sharing the Road with Heavy Vehicles. " could be considered as a reasonable response ? I separated out that remark from the letter , so that people would be aware of this .

Wonder if Tony feels in the mood to take a ride in Queensland , when he next has occasion to spend time there ?

Some ideas i read which may help those seeking to make Cycling safer :

" Governments need to move away from spin and tokenism and show commitment and leadership when it comes to encouraging cycling. There are three areas requiring attention to get results :

1). Education and promotion, first about the benefits of cycling to all, not just the cyclists, and

second about key safety issues facing cyclists. What is needed is not just a perfunctory effort as has happened in the past, but a proper sustained media campaign that produces behavioural changes.

2). Better infrastructure, including continuous uninterrupted cycling infrastructure, separated as

far as possible from motorized traffic. The Government needs not only to commit adequate funds, but actually show the political will needed to implement infrastructure to protect cyclists in the face of opposition.

3). Better laws and law enforcement. Current laws do not adequately protect cyclists as vulnerable road users and the laws that do exist are not properly enforced.

Motorists frequently act with apparent impunity, with illegal and hazardous actions towards cyclists occurring all the time, yet there are rarely any consequences for the culprits.

As usual , those reading this blog , will find it too hard , to offer their ideas ?

ADDITION on sat 19/10/13

Hey Tony , NO Aussie interested in your welfare , but the Chinese appear to be ?

stats on blog

China
24
United States
15
Germany
8
France
2
Italy
2
Spain
1
Hong Kong
1
Russia
1
Turkey
1

TONY ABBOTT ! A Cyclist at RISK ?
Oct 18, 2013
51
A MOTHER'S PLEA
Dec 9, 2012
1
MARK CAVENDISH
Jul 12, 2011
1
Oz Cycling's FUTURE ?
Oct 15, 2012
1

2014 Giro d'Italia ! Pro Racers ONLY Welcome ?

noreply@blogger.com (skippy) — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 17:34:00 +0000

For 16 seasons i have ridden the Routes of the Grand Tours .

This year i completed my 15th Giro d'Italia , although i did not ride every stage after Tarvisio , Nature played a large part in that failure . I had to laugh after getting out of bed in the Val di Non , intending to ride the Friday Etappe and saw snow on the fields outside . No point going any further after my Host told me that the Passo Tonale was already snowed in . I later saw another rider post a photo of the top of the Passo Tonale , i guess he rode his bike there but i had gone back to bed .

This year the Giro d'Italia seems to have broken their normal traditions . Not only do they start on a FRIDAY in Ireland , but they finish in Trieste . In addition to this they have 3 Rest days ! Looking at the flight from Dublin to Bari ( at a guess ) , it seems to need a rest day to get over the change in Cultures , let alone a probable change of weather conditions ? For Racers , it doesn't matter about the costs involved , in their stay in any Country , but living off my savings , a visit to cold & wet Belfast , is not the ideal start to nearly a month of travelling .

Those Racers that know me , will know that since 2010 , i have had the little green Citroen available as back up for Medical Emergencies. My dose of P.E. after the 2009 Tour de France and repeat in Feb 2011 at the Tour de Med has reminded me that i am getting on in years and Medical Assistance with Hospitalisation is not the best of Ideas . The first bout entailed 10 days in the Schwaz Hospital but the second bout only required 2 Nights since i opted to drive non stop from Monaco to Schwaz , since i knew their records would be able to shortcut any unnecessaryly repeated exploratory work .

From COLD & WET Belfast and Dublin , with their grey granite buildings to the South of Italy with 30c+ temps and Mediteranean architecture overnight , quite a contrast ? I recall the transfer from Wet & gloomy Belgium , years ago to Bergamo , with a tad warmer but gloomy weather that lasted until the Team Time Trial of Cremona to Piacenza , that was run the next day in mid 30s sunshine . The contrast was very welcome for me .Several visits to that area since have always produced comfortably warm sunny conditions .

The choice for me is to depart Dublin by air , or to head to Bari and enjoy the warmer conditions as i watch the RAI TV all day broadcast , as they dart in and out of various aspects of the matters surrounding the daily events .

Today RCS had the Formal Presentation of the 2014 Giro Route . Various Racers were on hand , although which of them actually race will not be determined until after the 2014 Tour de France route is revealed .

Here is the daily schedule :

2014 Giro Route : Total Distance 3450 km

1/ Friday, May 9 21.7 km
Belfast (IE) → Belfast (IE)

2/ Saturday, May 10 218 km
Belfast (IE) → Belfast (IE)

3/ Sunday, May 11 187 km
Armagh (IE) → Dublin (IE)

TRansfer Monday, May 12
Rest day

4/ Tuesday, May 13 121 km
Giovinazzo → Bari

5/ Wednesday, May 14 200 km
Taranto → Viggiano

6/ Thursday, May 15 247 km
Sassano → Montecassino

7/ Friday, May 16 214 km
Frosinone → Foligno

8/ Saturday, May 17 174 km
Foligno → Montecopiolo

9/ Sunday, May 18 174 km
Lugo → Sestola

Rest Day Monday, May 19
Rest day

10/ Tuesday, May 20 184 km
Modena → Salsomaggiore

11/ Wednesday, May 21 249 km
Correggio → Savona

12/ Thursday, May 22 46.4 km
Barbaresco → Barolo

13/ Friday, May 23 158 km
Fossano → Rivarolo Canavese

14/ Saturday, May 24 162 km
Agliè → Oropa

15/ Sunday, May 25 217 km
Valdengo → Montecampione

Rest day Monday, May 26
Rest day

16/ Tuesday, May 27 139 km
Ponte di Legno → Val Martello

17/ Wednesday, May 28 204 km
Sarnonico → Vittorio Veneto

18/ Thursday, May 29 171 km
Belluno → Malga Panarotta

19/ Friday, May 30 26.8 km
Bassano del Grappa → Monte Grappa

20/ Saturday, May 31 167 km
Maniago → Monte Zoncolan

21/ Sunday, June 1 169 km
Gemona → Trieste

Total Distance 3450 km

YOU ARE NOT HURT ! It doesn't MATTER !

noreply@blogger.com (skippy) — Thu, 03 Oct 2013 10:27:00 +0000

Stupidity on the roads , condensed to this , when you visit the firm owning the vehicle ! Polizei in Austria , like elsewhere , will only act if they see the incident ! It is a fair assumption , that there are three sides to and traffic Incident , The driver of the aggressing vehicle , the intimidated victim AND OF COURSE , the truth as seen by any UNBIASED Witnesses !

Having photoed the location , i will describe in detail the events at 11.15am , today , 3rd October 2013 , in some detail , when i return to the house . Courtesy of a neighbouring village Internet point , i have emailed the owner of the Kreidl Vehicle in Canada ! Vehicle is a white van with reg plates KU-654GW !

Having made my thursday ride to Schwaz , i called on a buddy in Jenbach on the way home . He was delighted to stand in the sun chewing the fat and commented that Friday was going to be as gloomy as the earlier part of the week had been . With that in mind , having dropped off the shopping , i set out for the ride to Kufstein , 32+km east of the house . This normally takes an hour in each direction , give or take depending on wind strengths . Living in a 40kph zone , i regularly catch up with traffic as it snakes through to Rattenberg . Half a kilometre before the Inn river bridge , the road takes a 90 ° left as seen in the photo of the bus , runs a few hundred metres then takes a 90° right and then over the bridge . Cornering at 30kph is assisted by Mirrows positioned at the left turn apex , i guess for the Buses , but works for most traffic . As usual i was pushing to maximise the speed , so was surprised as i was passing the Camper Van on the RHS to find a van overtaking me . I heard him coming up behind but with less than 100M could not imagine WHY the risk ?

As he came alongside , coming ther other way was a Yellow Bus , thus he FORGOT me and moved right into my path . But then he braked , he had decided to turn left off this road ! He was heading into his EMPLOYERS Premises ! Both manouvers were ill considered , had the Polizei seen this , they would have spoken to him as they asked for his Driving ID ! Having braked hard , i was able to avoid collision with the kerb and his vehicle , but i was able to see the ADVERTISING on his vehicle ! Moreorless in front of me was his Employers Showroom , so i rode the bike in the door .

What follows would be the classic " Faulty Towers Scenario "! Having asked the receptionist for the " Manager / Director " , i was told the owner was in Canada but expected the " next week "! Having asked for the Next senior i was told they were in Innsbruck . Having called for the driver , this " manfred " arrived then realising the situation , proceeded to draw a diagram of the road as he recalled the incident , including the bus. Meanwhile the receptionist was busy complying with my request for the Canadian Email address , so i could alert their Owner to the " Couldn't care less attitude "!

A fellow rolled out of his office behind the reception , in his wheelchair , joined in discussion with the lady then some " Bolshie , designer stubbled guy rolled up shouting the odds "! Asked if i was hurt , then said " If you are not hurt , Why are you bothering us "? In german it became " RAUS ; RAUS , RAUS , get off our premises ! Told the lady not to give me the email address and then started physically pushing me around !

I may be 68yo , but at 85kg & 1.85M i don't move easily for some pathetic no hoper . When it appeared the driver was going to join the fracas , i decided that no more would be achieved !

Each time a vehicle passes , a Cyclist has no idea who is driving , but most , when confronted will own up to their careless behaviour with apologies . This is perhaps one of the first occasions that someone has tried to physically assault me , on behalf of the driver concerned !

Of course , when you are arriving back at your employers premises , you hardly expect to be confronted by the person , that you just caused grief ? Try " Googling " Kriedl " , i get more out of that source for " Parrabuddy & Skippydetour "! Perhaps that is the reason , their vehicles ALL have their company name so prominently displayed !

Not being in the need of Bathroom or heating Equipment , i see no possibility of a result from Boycotting their products ! Nor since the polizei did not see the incident , do i expect them to involve themselves . Later i saw that driver thundering through Rattenberg above the posted 40kph , i feel sure that his licence is at risk, BUT , more importantly , when he buries an innocent , he will drag down his Employer on a Corporate Manslaughter Charge ! Only a question of whether it is a Child or Adult that suffers !

More follows

Safe Passing !

noreply@blogger.com (skippy) — Sun, 18 Aug 2013 07:26:00 +0000

There are very few drivers that THINK before attempting to pass Cyclists !
Even those with bikes on their roofs or obscuring their rear number plate , rarely signal or move out far enough , even to the 1 1/2M required by European law ! Recall being in Bristol , that English City that claims to be the #1 Cycle friendly city , some summers back , only vehicle that hassled and klaxoned me , was a blue station/estate car wearing bikes on the tailgate ! Totally unnecessary since they got about another 100M to the traffic light , where i was able to ask them , why we should not go to the nearest Police Station , where they could discuss their attitude and the fact that you could not see their number plate ?

So many articles are floating around the Internet , that most people are unaware of them , or mean to get back to them later , so i am reprinting this item in full :

" You're Going to kill Someone "

" http://albertmcwilliams.com/post/54015994028/youre-going-to-kill-someone

If you keep driving like that, you’re going to kill a cyclist. When you do, it’s going to suck as much for you as it does for them. When you drive by my head at 50 mph I can’t have this conversation with you, so I’m going to do you a favor and talk you through all of your arguments as to why you’re driving wrong (you are) and then you won’t end up killing a human. So read on; you’re welcome.

It’s not if it’s when. You are going to kill or seriously injure someone. You are. Someone’s father, brother, mother, daughter - you are going to end their life, forever, like permanently dead. You’ll be a murderer.

You can save those lives. You need to do two things:

Slow down.
Move over.
A few facts you might not be aware of:

When you pass a cyclist without crossing the yellow line you are breaking the law.
When you pass a cyclist while oncoming traffic is present you are breaking the law.
When you pass a cyclist in a no-passing zone you are breaking the law (this should be obvious yes? Because it’s called a “no passing zone.”)
This law wasn’t made up because the state hates you, or cars, or getting places quickly. This law was enacted because squeezing by a cyclist in the same lane is incredibly dangerous – to the cyclist. It’s not dangerous to you, unless you don’t like jail, or fines, or being a murderer.

NOW YOU MIGHT SAY:

“But, I have places to go and people to do! You’re in my way! Too slow!”

Okay, great, I appreciate your sacrifice. Let’s look at the math. This is math mind you and not subject to opinion. I’ll be generous and assume you’re on a 45mph speed limit road (most cycling takes place on much slower roads, but I’m in a giving mood, because I care about you). When I ride I’m traveling around 20mph. So you’re going 25mph faster than me, or about 55% faster. Again, being generous, you might be stuck behind a cyclist for 8 seconds. Usually much, much less. I know it seems like a long time, but it’s not. It’s 8 seconds. That’s with heavy oncoming traffic. However, you’re not stopped for that time, you’re traveling at 20mph. This means that slowing down, waiting for traffic to clear and passing the cyclist safely costs you about four seconds… max. Do you want to risk my life (permanently) and you being a murderer (forever) for four seconds? Really?

“But, you ride too far out in the lane, you’re supposed to ride single file, all the way to the right. You’re an asshole!”

Legally, you’re wrong (in Michigan at least). Let’s leave the law out of this though. Go ahead and see above and know that I’d rather you be annoyed than me be dead. You’d rather that too, because this way you don’t have to go home and tell your kids they can’t have a swimming pool because you paralyzed a cyclist from the waist down. Riding further out in the lane forces you to slow down and wait for traffic to clear to pass me. You’re less likely to hit me on purpose than because you drive like an inconsiderate bag of dicks.

“But, I pay taxes/registration fees/gas tax.”

This one is really dumb. See, you pay usage fees because your heavy-ass car destroys the road. Guess what, bikes don’t wear out roads like cars do. And guess what else (this is going to blow your mind) nearly everyone you’ve ever passed on a bike also has a car, and registration fees, and gas taxes (crazy huh!). However, I use my car less and cause less than my share of wear on said road than I pay for. You see where I’m going with this? You should take this argument and hope no one ever hears it because it works against you.

“But, Cyclists disobey laws all the time, they run red lights and stuff, so screw them!”

Yes, I do. I ride my bike safely. The rules say I’m supposed to pretend that I’m a car, but see, that’s dangerous if I’m the only one obeying that rule. I’m pretending I’m a car, and you think I’m a bike, and you run over me and kill me with your car. This is bad for both of us. So, the minute you treat me like a car, I’ll start acting like one. In the meantime the difference between when you break the law and when I do is that you’re endangering my life, and I’m endangering your … wiper blades? Maybe? Probably not even that.

“But, I live in Ann Arbor and Bike Lanes! Fix our roads first! Uppity Cyclists! I pay for this shit and I hate you! Bikes slow my commute! Get them off the road!”

(for reference, read the comments section here)

Here’s the thing. You’re being shortsighted. Imagine if all those people on bikes that you hate commuted downtown one-per-car. What would that do to your commute? What would that do to your parking availability downtown? What would those additional heavy cars do the pavement condition (remember that my bike doesn’t wear the road at all) ? I’ll give you a hint … you’re a lot better off with the cyclists. They’re doing you a favor. They’re saving you money. They’re paying the same as you for that road, but using it less. You should be thanking them. You should be handing me a cupcake through the window.

“But you’re wrong!”

Nope. I’m not. Who do you think knows more about cycling, the guy on the bike or the guy in the car?

So to wrap it up:

Slow down.

Move over.

And for fuck’s sake stop texting.

This way, I won’t be dead, and you won’t be a murderer.

You’re Welcome.

Please add OTHER Blog addresses , since this is a way to keep each other ALIVE !

UNGRATEFUL EMPLOYERS !

noreply@blogger.com (skippy) — Sat, 10 Aug 2013 17:40:00 +0000

Worldwide News caused by the loss of 19 Firefighters , working to Save LIVES & PROPERTY in the USA ! ALL the Major News Networks followed this story for DAYS !
Yet NOW that the Families are left Destitute , WHERE ARE THEY ?

Andrew Ashcraft , father of 4 , was a member of the Granite Mountain Hot Shot Crew , supposedly a FULL TIME EMPLOYEE of the " City of Prescott , Az " ! Seems that his Employment Records were lost in the Fires , as was his Supervisors !

Very convenient for the " City Administration " , currently they seem to think , that it is OK to deny his Family's Benefits ! Andrew being a fulltime Employee of the City , would have meant that he had no time to work elsewhere , thus now the City refuses his " Entitlements " , the Family has no income ?

SHAME ON THOSE MONGRELS !

Last year i was appalled to read of the US attitude to their Firefighters , i not only signed the Change.org Petition started by John Lauer of the Tatanka Hot Shot Crew , i also blogged about this SHORTSIGHTED Approach to those who RISK THEIR LIVES to save the Property of OTHERS !

My blog : www.parrabuddy.blogspot.com/AnUngratefulNation

This was followed later with another blog post :

www.parrabuddy.blogspot.com/VictoryNews

Regretably , i did not follow up on the Promises made by President Obama , so many thinks that he has promised lately seem to be subject to the " Whims of Congress "! Even now , i am seeing on the News Networks , more News of Fresh Fires breaking out in the USA , and at the same time other States suffering inundations from Flooding , by Epic Rains .

HOW MANY MORE FIREFIGHTERS HAVE TO DIE ?

Oh , excuse me , 12000 people die each year because of the 2nd amendment , another OBAMA FAILURE !

Seems living in the USA is a laugh a minute , if you are a " Responsible Citizen " ? If the GUN Crazies don't get you , or the Sequestration doesn't cause you & your Family suffering , then the Community will Stand behind you whilst you lose your LIFE in their Service , then deny YOUR FAMILY any prospect of FAIR PLAY ?

Here is the link to sign the PETITION :

https://www.change.org/petitions/our-fallen-hero-andrew-ashcraft-get-the-family-andrew-s-benefit-package-that-they-were-promised?alert_id=tRtBhMqGQI_uzbWMtipww&utm_campaign=31064&utm_medium=email&utm_source=action_alert

Mont Ventoux on Bastille Day !

noreply@blogger.com (skippy) — Sun, 14 Jul 2013 07:45:00 +0000

Anyone on Mont Ventoux today will be NUTS ! Reports of it blowing hard at the bottom , come as no surprise :

‏@cyclingtips1h

Not sure what it's like at the top of Ventoux,  but it's blowing a gale here at the bottom! We'll soon see...

With having suffered pedestrian interference , as i rode this climb in previous tours , and the fact that getting off the mountain after finishing as near to the finish line as allowed by the " turd Brigade " allows , there is no longer any appeal for me . Those who are die hard fans , will have motored to the point where they are able to park and no doubt will have carried supplies to last out the many days that parking there will require .

Visitors to my blogs will see that one of my last visits , was as described in this comment to the " ROAR Blog ":

http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/07/14/a-giant-smouldering-6000-foot-high-slagheap-why-mont-ventoux-is-so-feared/#comment-1564174

My comment :

" My twitter photo was taken , the day i rode the TRIPLE , in early Feb 2013 ! Yes it was possible , even with it being Winter elsewhere , Bedoin was showing 15C as i headed up for the 2nd climb . Coming off the top i met 3 Belgians who were heading up for their afternoon ride . I had rolled out of my tent at the Vaucluse YHA/Auberge Jeunesse at 6am with frost on the ground . Later in the week i would meet others at the Tour de Med , who had seen me in Maloucenes & Sault . Being in that area came about through my travel arrangements to the Tour Down Under going awry . faced with staying in London i headed to the South of France and visited a Criterium/ race lasting 4 days there , but being in such warm weather , the lure of revisiting Mont Ventoux proved too strong . Saturday i made the ride from Carpentras to Bedouin thence passing a few non english speakers arrived on the summit and descended to Sault , before going in search of the Auberge , which is tucked away in some really lovelly villages and cycling area . Well worth the visit alone. Sunday riding around the area visiting the various village markets , loosening up inspired the desire for the Triple . Monday was a tempo day , pushing mainly in 21 & 23 , although had 27 available , all the time in the world , but it was only after finishing that i discovered there was a register available to those that wanted to record the event .

Will not be at Mont Ventoux , today , i was there EARLY , the last time , the ride was continually interupted even in the early hours by walking people with the attitude that YOU should not be riding a bike , whilst they had to walk up carrying whatever supplies they needed for the wait for the rACERS to arrive ! WHAT AN ATTITUDE , going to suffer 6+ hours to watch the Racers pass , yet disrupting those that make the effort to emulate " THEIR SPORTING IDOLS "? Of course i would be happy to see the BEST MAN WIN , but with it being Bastille day and having suffered so much poor sportsmanship in the past visits , i will be dissappointed if a Frenchie emulates Richard Virenque's victory , whom i last rode with on that Monday Rest Day in Avignon , as members of the BikeStyle Tours & Sporting Tours fraternity , who spotted us and tried to chase down , will attest ".

No doubt many of those Tours Company personnel , will have set up Tents and will have sufficient Supplies available to ensure the health & Safety of their Clients . Make sure to LOCK Securely those bikes , since there will be plenty of villains looking for their Bastille Day Present ! For me the Eurosport TV feed will be a reward for the climb to 2000+m i will be making this morning , as i ride the Zillertal Hohenstrasse .

This item is from Ced Vasseur , i think it was the day that i saw the Paralympian French Champion ride , with one leg , this climb :

https://twitter.com/cedvasseur/status/356318222687014913/photo/1

Above photo taken when i did the Triple , more on that event to be found here :

http://www.skippi-cyclist.blogspot.com

To those that will be scrambling for the few moments that the Peloton passes them , i hope it was all worth that effort :

‏@inrng22m

Reports say one million people could be on Mont Ventoux. Not sure about that, it'd be mean 24 people per metre of road on both sides

Last time Bastille Day meant anything worthwhile to me , was , when living in Sydney , we had a " Fancy Dress Party " , at the house in Longueville . Dressed as " Louis X11V " and my partner as " Marie Antonette " , we still had " Guests arriving " after midnight , some with the excuse of coming from work at the Theatre , thus unable to participate in dressing for the occasion . Some day i will find a way to turn photos of the occasion , into internet usuable material .

Those reading the " ROAR Blog , will recognise the following item :

" When Doctor Pierre Dumas leant over Tom Simpson after the British bike rider had crashed to the ground for the last time during the Tour of 1967, his mind would have gone racing back 12 years to the Tour of 1955.

On that occasion Dr. Dumas had to prise open the jaws of fallen cyclist Jean Mallejac in order to administer oxygen and then inject a stimulant to restart the stricken rider’s heart. Unlike Simpson though, Mallejac survived.

Both incidents occurred on the barren, sun beaten slopes of Mont Ventoux and under extreme conditions.

Temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius, coupled with furious racing and the dubious use of ‘supplements’ contributed to the demise of both riders. "

Whilst considering what will take place today , i would like to remind people that attempt to ride this climb and L'Alpe d'Huez that being properly refreshed and riding a comfortable tempo , is the key to success . Yesterday i spoke with a guy who was experiencing knee problems . It appears that he had been doing 30-40 km rides , then decided to do a 150km ride , claims the muscles were OK , but the knee suffered , wonder why ? Riding any amount of flat distances , will not prepare you for continous high percent climbing . Better prepared Cyclists will have found climbs that they are able to do multiple repeated ascents to condition the muscles but more importantly the mindset . When i decide to do a climb , i remind myself that i have done this climb before , although i do not attempt to recall the time i took on that occasion . Being 67yo riding past youngsters is sufficient motivation , but i do not spot someone ahead and increase my tempo with the thought to pass them . That tends to be self defeating further into a long climb .

Comment on another Blog article worth a read :

" I have met a group of rides who where doing an escorted tour. ie ride between hotels, with a van that takes baggage forward to next hotel and does sag wagon.

They only had one day to have shot and do the climb which I guess temped one of their members to ride around a road closure sign. He ended up with hypothermia and was getting blown off his bike, apparently he could not even keep his glasses on his face without holding them on..he was very lucky the cafe just near the forest was able to help me (and treat him).
The name Ventuox basically means the summit is in the mistral winds… which means the weather at the top can be extraordinarily cold and windy and down right dangerous if the weather is bad. After talking to the locals, its not uncommon for people to get caught out…
Moral of the story its a wonderful place to ride with many fantastic rides in the region around it, but, allow some time and don’t tempt fate with the weather at the top.

We were able to pick and choose days to ride there absolutely memorable experiences… want to go back again and again "!

Is this what the fuss is all about :

From noon here , i will be following the progress of Ashton Agar , as he seeks to dig Oz out of the hole that the rest of the team has dug for themselves . With the " Wonders of Modern Technology " available to them , both the Captains and the Umpires need a " Good Kicking "! Allowed 2 referals apiece , when the facilities are there for full time use , strikes me as STUPIDITY ! Certainly , unwarranted referals should be penalised , perhaps adding an extra " Ball " to the over , or deduction of " Runs " from their Total , perhaps even Monetary Penalty , can be applied ?

1/ Can you believe that Peter Sagan would run with the Escape then do a " Robbie Mc Ewan " as the Peloton catches him ?

‏@letour2m

The showman does a wheelie before being caught http://www.letour.fr/le-tour/2013/us/live/aso/ … #TDF

2/ CAN YOU BELIEVE that TEST Cricket , has you sitting on the edge of your chair ? Lunch break after half hour delay , not improved by Broad tying his shoe laces :

‏@jaimiefuller36m

stuff that up your arse broad. your time wasting tactics didn't work

‏@PhilAtSilver738m

@Peter_Fitz How refreshing is it to watch a gripping sporting encounter without having odds rammed down your throat? #ashes

Retweeted by SKINS Chairman

ONLY 20 runs needed for Oz , or heaven now forbid , that the Poms , get that last wicket !

DO NOT MISS THIS CHANCE to help Cyclists survive on the Roads Worldwide ! Usually Oz leads the way with Vehicle Safety Initiatives , so Why are they following Europe for CYCLISTS ?

‏@SafeCyclingOz26m

Remember everyone, the #survive1point5 petition is still running. Keep signing and help us make our point! http://fb.me/1YSYUe7pc 

CHANGE is Coming ! Just not until September ?

noreply@blogger.com (skippy) — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Brian Cookson , a brit , is pursuing the road that leads to the Firenze UCI Congress in September and Presidential Election that will be held there . With many years of involvement in British Cycling , he became available to pursue this Office , when elected to the UCI Management Committee in 2009 . Since then , he has distinguished himself and has been elected President of the UCI Road Commission . This is where the similarity to the current UCI President ends . To further his aspirations for the presidency , Brian Cookson published on 24th June , his Manifesto :

http://briancookson.org/files/9313/7208/1970/Manifesto_English_COL.pdf

As president of the British Cycling Federation since 1996 , he has achieved some significant results , some would say , " Spectacular Results " , since the past few years has seen the Australian Cycling Team having to fight for every Medal that they once thought as theirs , at every level .

Only 42 Voting Delegates have the right to cast their vote in the Election of the President . How this came about is due to the influence of one man , whose shadow still hangs over the Sport of Cycling ! Hein Verbruggen decided to relinguish the Presidency in 2005 and his influence was such , that he TOLD Everybody with the right to vote , that his " Heir Apparent " , was Pat Mc Quaid , the then President of the UCI Road Commission . Sporting Politics and the UCI Constitution has ensured , that His Wish , has seen Professional Cycling lose it's credibility with Athletes , Fans and ALL Other Stakeholders in this Sport .

In October 2012 , after Lance Armstrong was once again the centre of Media Attention , UCI , in the form of their President , announced the " UCIIC " , then in January 2013 , provided sufficient frustration to ALL External Organisations who would have given valid INPUT , that the same person decided that he could " Disband the UCIIC " , thus denying the World the " Transparency " promised .

Phat the rat , ever since he took the name of Jim Burns and claimed to be English in 1972 , has shown contempt for each and every Organisation of which he has been a part . Recently we have seen so many examples of " brinkmanship " , that it becomes a case of wondering WHY , even the IOC , allow him to hold Office , when they " Barred him from competition " as an athlete in the Olympic Movement ! When people behave with utter disdain for others , as he choses to do , you have to ask WHAT IS BROKEN IN THE SYSTEM !

Whilst i am Dublin Born and have Irish Parents , and thus travel on an Irish Passport in Europe , i like so many others , am not proud of the fact that phat is born in the same country . Barack Obama recently visited Eire , as he did in 2010 , when he was tracing his Irish Ancestral Roots , and many members of the " Kennedys " were recently in County Wexford , would they be happy to be associated with this charlatan ?

Recently phat's brother made his views of his thoughts about the Presidency known , they were not flattering!
Kiernon was at the Giro d'Italia , manning the 2014 Grand Depart Stand , on behalf of Eire and i had occasion to speak with him and a young woman that stated that the current president , was her uncle . It seems that the Mc Quaid family has done a lot for the Irish Cycling Sport in past years , really a great shame that ALL their previous efforts are over shadowed by this reluctance to do right for Cycling by resigning . It was almost a daily occurance in recent weeks to see UCI Matters being Headlines , very little of this was of benefit to the sport .

With the announcement by Jan Ulrich , that Lance Armstrong was being " assisted by the Powers in Cycling Sport "and the recent relevations , in respect of JaJa , those of us heading for Corsica are going to be even further mired in the past . That sections of the Media are already calling on Miguel Indurain , to " Fess up about his Activities inn the EPO Age " , is adding fuel to the debate as to what UCI was doing since 1990 ?

Those reading my blogs will recall , that i wrote to Chris Prudhomme when it became " Public Knowledge " , that ASO , owners of " Le Tour ", were going to annul ALL of Lance's 7 Victories , suggesting that ASO go back to the beginning of the " EPO Age "! My suggestion was 1990 , since EPO whilst available in the late 1980's , would not have had common usage , immediately . Speculation that Greg LeMond could have been suspect , finds very little traction , with any of the " Mushroom Hunters of the Clinic " , a veritable source of innuendo , spin & rumour .

Dockside today , in Nice were members of the Media of Italy , France and the Low Countries , all of whom were saying that the " JaJa Saga " was Old news . Numerous Teams are loaded on board this ferry , each having 5 Estate Cars , a Pullman Coach , Mechanics Truck , even a small camper Van . Not needed on Corsica are Time Trial Bikes , thus they will arrive in Nice in time for the 2nd July Time Trial . With each team having 9 Racers , you will see they could ALL have their own vehicle , but what with Soigneurs , Mechanics , Chefs and Directors Sportif , many of whom will fly into Corsica , each team will number 30+ without taking account of their PR people !

if any of you recall my comments about the West France Grand Depart/start in 2011 , when Journos were tripping and thus falling like " Dominos " , don't be surprised to hear of similar reoccurences in Porto Vecchio , this year !

So you couldn't see ME ?

noreply@blogger.com (skippy) — Tue, 28 May 2013 12:38:00 +0000

Sometimes it is necessary to find the Boss , when the driver leaces you at the side of the road !

My letter to remind Company Owners , that they are responsible for the ACTIONS of their Employees !

" CEO of Deferser

Sir ,

With distinctive colours on your Vehicles , it is easy to identify your vehicles . For Publicity purposes , this works well , but when your drivers misbehave or are careless with respect to " Vulnerable Road Users ", this comes back to haunt your Management Team ! Some countries in Europe have legislated for Corporate Manslaughter , where a member of the Management Team , can be imprisoned for the actions of a Subordinate !

Returning to Austria after several weeks in Italy with the " Giro d'Italia " , i can tell you , that as a Cyclist , i notice differences . I can also tell you that there are considerable differences in Drivers' Attitudes to Cyclists , in 2013 , as against those in 1999 , when first in Italy for the Giro .

Over several years riding a race bike in the Tirol , i have taken the time to speak or write to various Company Vehicle Owners . Most understand that there is a need to bring to their attention , incidents that cause alarm . What you will appreciate is , that there are TWO Sides to each argument . The Cyclist in every case is going to suffer when in collision with a vehicle . That said , there is a need for Vehicle drivers to remember that Cyclists , have the right to be on the road , bUT more importantly , most own their OWN VEHICLES !

No doubt as CEO of Deferser , you may also be a Leisure Cyclist , you may have Family or Colleagues who would tell you of Riding with Toschnig , Eberharter or Rohrregger . Each of these people , you would hope your vehicles do not cause them injury . What of the Mothers , Daughters , Sons or colleagues , they also deserve the 1 1/2M , that the Road Regs. call on drivers to allow as they pass ,

Today , a Deferser vehicle passed me with less space than required , however , because he did not signal , the following vehicles not only did not see me but hammered their Klaxons , as if it was against the LAW , for me to be on the road . Had your vehicle signalled and given the 1 1/2M , i doubt any of these following drivers would have displayed their ignorance . We will have to accept that some may have been trying to text , but i did see two of these drivers that klaxoned , holding their ears , funny how many people use a Cell phone to hold their EARS ?

Returning from Schwaz through Weising , i passed the Mpreis where several of your vehicles were parked . Coming across some drivers finishing their " Pause " , i asked if any spoke english .

The driver of unit 76 , SZ 506yc , said " A little " , so i tried to explain what had happened in the morning , but he took it as critisism of himself . No it was not , nor my intention other than to ask what Deferser's policy was to the Cyclist's Safety .

When he left me i started to write down unit #s , with the intent to write you . Seeing this he stood in front of the Reg plate . Then he got in the cab , started the motor and immediately crept forward in my direction the 5+ metres , requiring me to move immediately out of his path . Normally truck drivers , start the deisel motor , after the key is in the ignition for 30 secs , then allow the motor to warm , not this guy . Bernard was in some kind of a hurry ?

Now i realise that people do not take kindly to being critisied , but this was definitely not correct behaviour .

As to whether you reply to me , or you have a Company Policy in regard to Cyclists , it will come as no surprise , when i tell you that in London there are several Tip truck Companies , that are recorded as causing Multiple Deaths to Cyclists . It has been described as an epidemic and Legislation there is being utilised to attempt to save more Lives from being lost .

Thankyou for your attention to my concerns , i hope they result in more Companies being reminded by you , that Truck drivers need to signal , so that following traffic can avoid being involved in the death of a Cyclist , maybe , even your neighbour ?

This letter will be published in www.skippi-cyclist.blogspot.com

SO , having had lunch i am out for further riding in the warm sunny afternoon . Coming from Brixlegg onto the large Roundabout with the intention to go to Kramsach , i am in the middle of the two lanes and an IMPATIENT Car driver decides to force out into my lane , from Rattenfeld , causing me to swerve left and stay wide in case he continues left , but , he then screeches right into the exit , i was going to use . Meanwhile i have to roll up onto the concrete island to avoid the back of a stopped truck .

No i didn't get the german number plate !

FUNDING " ANTI DOPING " now !

noreply@blogger.com (skippy) — Mon, 27 May 2013 08:16:00 +0000

The Giro d'Italia has finished with " Nibs " , forecast as winner , taking the Crown ! Good for him , he prepared well with the win , at the " Giro del Trentino " , amongst other work efforts
.

Some of his challengers for the title , went home due to illness , perhaps brought about by the unseasonably bad weather . Falling from the bike and then " Descending like a Girl " , would have shaken Sir Brad's confidence and desire to fight off the symptoms of bad health , he was fighting .

Just as well he quit at that time , since the weather became even worse . Ryder arrived at the Giro determined to fight for a repeat result , but reports indicate that he was severely underweight , thus allowing the body , little ability to resist the symptoms that caused his earlier than desired exit .

During the Giro , we saw several Racers , sent home after testing Positive to PED abuse . Georges has caused his Team , to honour their commitment to the " MPCC Code ", thus declaring they would not participate at the Dauphinee Libere Event in June . Di Luca , on the other hand , has even incurred the displeasure of the likes of Lance Armstrong , since this is his 3rd Sanction ! Being a previous winner stripped of his 2009 Giro Crown , you could expect he would have learnt that lesson . But NO ! This imbecile thought " EPO " , was the way to go , a Sponsor of His , convinced " Team Fantini ", that he deserved another chance . Bundles of cash , from that Sponsor , would have overcome the Team Management's desire , to not touch him with a " bargepole ". No matter , the decision was made to allow him to race without testing . Football Teams test the Athlete before signing them on , so what happened here ?

With these TWO , besmirching the Giro's reputation , for being the Hardest of the Grand Tours , the debate about " Anti Doping " , has been thrown into the Public Arena , once again . Days before Di Luca's problem was announced , UCI released a report :

http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/pat-mcquaid-cycling-has-an-extremely-bright-future

" phat in mouth " , as posterity will describe him , MUST have known about Di Luca's problem , since it is UCI that is reported to be in control of these announcements . Did he rush out the " Brighter Future report " , and attempt to delay the Di Luca announcement ? In recent times , phat , has been giving the impression , that he is hopping around on one foot , with the other firmly jammed elsewhere ! Being paid a SALARY to safeguard the UCI Constitution , does nothing to stop him , putting his self interests above ALL ELSE !

The search for " Anti Doping " solutions continue , but one that came to my attention in February , deserves MORE than the casual glance , that appears to have been given in recent times :

http://www.cyclingnews.com/blogs/jonathan-vaughters/opinion-its-not-all-about-lance-armstrong-and-heres-how-we-can-fight-doping

Even i as a fan , have some guilt in these matters , i have been known to chide people such as Christian Vandevelde , for their transgressions , but in general , i have no ability to cause the returned Racer anything other than momentary discomfort .

JV , is correct in his statement that ONLY Substantially increased FUNDING , will change the equation in respect of the FIGHT AGAINST DOPING !

Until mid June , we will not know what can be done in this ongoing fight , BUT , Cycling Ireland , by refusing to Nominate JIM Burns ( aka pat mc quaid ) , can start the progress towards CHANGE in the UCI and thus a new sense of Purpose at the UCI Congress in September . For my part i can write letters to the Voting Delegates at that Congress , but , if OTHERS , join this effort , those Delegates with the POWER , will understand that the WORLDWIDE CYCLING COMMUNITY deserve better from them !

Here in full is JV's appraisal of the situation :

" The blame game, MPCC and just who should clean up cycling

Jon Vaughters & Lance Armstrong just before the 1999 Tour

view thumbnail gallery

I am wearing a garbage bag. Why, you might ask, thinking that Merino wool is more my thing. Quite simple, I know that in these days of cycling, banana peels and rotten tomatoes are thrown at anyone who dares stick their head up. Rocks also work quite well and, sadly, my garbage bag won’t do much against those. They hurt.

Cycling has become a post revolution mob, not much different than paintings we see of post-revolution France. I think, back then, banana peels were replaced with bed pan water. So, before I begin, let me go ahead and save you the labor of writing in the comments section: I am an ex-doper, a filthy team manager hell bent on extracting dollars and wins at any cost. I am a person who not only should not be allowed in cycling, but should not be allowed to have an opinion. I am someone with no moral compass and someone who needs to just shut the hell up. Those comments are just the rotten tomatoes and banana peels. The rocks hurt more.

However, the old expression about sticks and stones hopefully will prove correct and because of this, I figure I’ll continue onward with this monologue. Let me start by saying something really simple: I love bike racing. From a very early age every aspect of the sport just enthralled me. Its history, its traditions, its strategy, its heroism, its toughness, and even the constantly evolving bike technology. I love it. I love waking up early and watching some poorly web streamed feed when I’m home.

I love the feeling of my hair standing up on the back of my neck when I realize one of my riders has made the lead group. I love sitting in the wind tunnel for hours. I love the laughter of the guys at the dinner table, even when they have broken bones or concussions! I loved getting a disgustingly dirty and sweaty hug from Johan after he won Roubaix. This sport has been my life, inside and out for 20 years. It’s like an old marriage to me, we fight, but I love it.

Now, despite the fact that I am all of the things described in paragraph one, I often wonder, how is it that I managed to damage something that I loved so much? Why did I disregard that? And why is it that when I watch my peers that have damaged the sport of cycling in similar ways, do we fail to see that we are the problem. We are the problem. But I don’t see anyone saying that. I see people saying “he is the problem” or “they are the problem.” It’s gone from blaming Lance and Lance only, to blaming the journalists, to blaming the team managers, to blaming the UCI, to blaming the riders, definitely blaming Pat McQuaid, oh and don’t forget to blame the race organizers, and then back to blaming Lance. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that I played this game too. The fact of the matter is that it is our entire fault. We, the people who make up the world of professional cycling, are to blame.

I can already hear the peeling of bananas... “Damn you, JV, no! I am not to blame, my team stopped doping in 1999 after Le Affaire Festina!” or “No, I am not to blame I never raced in the EPO era!” or “No, I am not to blame because I only did it to survive.” or “No, I am not to blame because everyone else did it!” “I am only a race organizer that made the most mountainous Grand Tour in history of mankind, I am not to blame!!” ... I can go on, but I think you see the point. Before I move on, let me say for those who were talented enough to race at the highest level in Europe, and did walk away, you aren’t many, but you are not to blame. You are to be highly regarded. You can leave the principal’s office now and have pudding. I can only offer my apologies to you guys, and pudding.

So, we can come to the conclusion that actually no one is responsible for the doping issue in cycling. Everyone denies their culpability and we happily hang a few riders every year, give them the blame, and refuse to understand the responsibility we all have.

I was absolutely shocked to learn, this morning, that the MPCC, an organization I have been a part of since 2007 and one that I truly believe in, is thinking about suing Lance Armstrong. Yes, it is his fault, a 100+ year history of doping problems in cycling can be remedied by extracting financial damages from Lance Armstrong. All the while, this organization, of which I am member, is chaired by someone who once tested positive, and whose members have a rich and varied history ranging from Festina to Puerto to USPS to CERA to Corticoid investigations. And our solution to protect cycling’s image is to sue Lance Armstrong? I truly hope they don't sue anyone. Maybe I need to attend the next meeting? Maybe a bit of introspection is needed here? Maybe a better way would be to sue myself and give the damages to someone like Danny Pate? But this seems to be the mentality entrenched in cycling, blame the other guy to fix the problem. Put it on his plate.

Let me take a big hunk of “it’s my own damn fault” and put it on my own damn plate. At this point, I’d rather personally be responsible for all of this than to watch the petty squabbling at hand devolve into the equivalent of hair pulling on the Jerry Springer show.

When I signed up to go testify to USADA about cycling’s past, I did it, not to “bring down Lance!” I did it because I was convinced it would help cycling in the long term. But instead of fertile ground for positive change and forward movement, my testimony seems to have turned into mud for throwing at each other. Seeds don’t grow in mud. It was an attempt, my me, at helping cycling unwind from a nasty past, but I’m not sure it worked the way I wanted. So, what will work?

First we have to realize, cycling cannot separate itself from its own history. That is impossible. When, a hundred years ago someone decided to cheat in the Tour de France, that got the ball rolling. It kept rolling. And while I hope you (the readers) will feel it is somewhat honorable to walk away from doping and try to mend the damage you’ve (me) done, whether one stopped doping in 1956, 1976, 1998, or 2006, the fact that at one time you doped has contributed to the pervasive culture of doping. That’s not to say there aren’t reasons for this culture. To start with, cycling is the toughest sport ever invented. It is contested by hardened individuals from hard backgrounds. This is not the sport of the aristocracy, this is the sport of tough kids who are fighting their way out of tough lives. That is cycling’s history in Europe. The ethos professional cycling started with is not that of higher, faster, cleaner...It is an ethos of “I need to feed my family.” That is cycling’s 100 year history. The private jets only came at the tail end. So, while all of us, especially me, would like to believe that we are “part of the solution” we weren’t, we were part of grinding this culture in further and further. To try and indemnify ourselves from that will not work. In fact it will only entrench the culture deeper, as it teaches hypocrisy.

We, in professional cycling, all are to blame and we all end up hurting each other because of blaming each other. Public spats, lawsuits, backstabbing policies, hatred... these all hurt cycling. They work against any budding possibility of a long term solution for this sport. Trying to solve a 100 year old problem with short-sighted and knee jerk reactions will not work. This takes creativity, vision, and UNITY. And who does this lack of unity hurt? Well, we might think harsher measures and lawsuits hurt those evil doers who need public flogging, but instead who do I see getting hurt? I see young riders, who have had nothing to do with this mess, being the ones that get hurt. The up-and-comers who, with idealism still intact, they are the beneficiaries of our inability to work out real and lasting solutions, together. They get to carry the burden of being seen as a “doper” in the view of the broader public, for the next ten years, when in fact, they’ve never doped. Not yet, anyway. But, if we don’t figure this out, soon, guess what? 100 years of cultural entrenchment beats a few of us old guys coming up with a few new rules. That is sad. And that is my own damn fault.

How about we give these young riders a chance at having a doping free career? How about we do something that overcomes the image that they’ve been saddled with due to their predecessors’ (like me) actions?

Because I absolutely hate complaining without a solution, I’m going to make a very simple suggestion for a solution: Make us pay. Now, I know many of you think I should be in jail, and whole heartedly agree with my suggestion of making me pay, but “making us pay” isn’t an analogy. Quite simply put, as opposed to launching lawsuits, trying to overthrow the king, blaming the dog, etc.. We need to fix anti-doping. I’m sorry, I do not think that is accomplishable by policy changes and adding extra rules invented by people who broke the rules. I do not think that is accomplishable by telling a rider who has less than 12 months visibility into if he’ll be able to feed himself that he needs to “just say no”... Nor do I think telling a highly ambitious type “A” athlete that he should be happy with second place, is going to work. Nor do I think a newly reformed team manager telling his team “do as I say, not as I did” will work. Nor do I think telling guys that ride 30,000 kms a year in rain, snow, sleet, and heat to just “work harder” is going to work.

Let me give you an example: There are two young guys I know quite well. One is on my team now, one raced for me as a junior. Both are thought of as future GT contenders. Both of these guys are unbelievable tough, incredibly competitive, driven, and ambitious. And both of them would saw their kneecaps off with a rusty butter knife, if they knew it would win them a bike race. That’s why they are so good. They are both clean riders from a generation that shows us what cycling could be. But you throw a drug in the mix that makes you 10% better, there is no test for, and then that’s a whole lot more tempting than sawing off your kneecap for the win. We need to protect these guys. The toughest and most competitive are the most at risk. The guys we love and the qualities of those champions are exactly the things that put them most at risk for doping. So, since I don’t think anyone wants to make bike racing easy and start giving awards for nicest rider or rider who really wanted his buddy to win because he was having a bad hair day, then we need to realize the risks that come with the highly ambitious and protect them. Quite simply, if we want this to change, we have to actually enforce the rules so that these hardened and respectable young men and women can stop having to chose between “being first loser”(now society is at fault too) and saying no to doping..

I’ve been referring to “we” a lot in this rant. “We” means those of us working in professional cycling. But here comes the part that we need to be responsible enough and man enough to step aside for: This is the one part that “WE” can’t do. WE need to step aside and pay for someone, totally outside cycling, to be in charge of enforcing anti-doping rules. WE were the problem, WE cannot be in charge of fixing the problem. But we sure can pay for it. Meaning this: right now teams spend less than 1% of our total budgets on anti-doping. For the biggest problem in cycling, less than 1%. That won’t ever work. You can’t fix a problem this big with something so small. WE, including me, need to pay.

Cycling needs to step aside, the UCI needs to step aside, Pat needs to step aside, teams and riders need to step aside, I need to step aside. We’ve had 100 years to figure this out, with limited success, how about WE let someone else have a shot? Someone who has no race to worry about, no sponsorship to think of, no conflict of interest at all. None. WE (those of us with a conflict of interest) need to escrow much, much, much more than 1% of funds available, give it to a totally independent entity that specializes in anti-doping and nothing else - and then let them do their work. We race bikes, you guys (WADA? AFLD? USADA?) make sure we are doing it straight. Period. Of course, WE can help. WE can tell them how we doped, we can give them total honesty to help their work. It takes one to know one, right? But WE cannot be in charge of this. At 8% of every teams’ and every races organizers (yes, they need to help more too) budget, we’d be looking at a pool of $40M annually. Sounds a lot better than the current pool of $4M. Ask any scientific researcher around the world what he is limited by? Funding. Ask any police force what limits them? Funding. How would it be spent? Testing? Science? Investigative efforts? I don’t know. Leave it to the experts how the funding is used. But give them the tools, and never let cycling’s biggest problem be held back by lack of funding. All of the issues you hear about the testing not being good enough, the science is behind, not enough tests...All of that can end. All of the excuses can end. All of the blame game can end. WE just have to stop trying to be the solution and instead step aside and start paying for what WE did. Literally.

Then we (you guys too) all can get back to loving bike racing.

Second Letter to the Board of Cycling Ireland!

noreply@blogger.com (skippy) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 19:06:00 +0000

Gentlemen ,
It came as a pleasant surprise on Saturday 27th April , to read that your Friday meeting resulted in the decision to have an " Extraordinary General Meeting "! That you chose this course of action demonstrates that you are NOW Listening to your Membership !

ALL the reports i read , indicate that there is a Groundswell of Opinion , that feels Pat Mc Quaid , has had his time in the office of President of the UCI ! Should he be refused a Nomination by Cycling Ireland as a result of the " EGM ", then let the Swiss run the risk of suffering the Derision of the Cycling World , should it choose to offer him as their nominee !

When the results are in from the " EGM " , and it is clear that Pat Mc Quaid will not receive support for a Nomination , may i suggest that you forward " Anto Moran's name " as the Candidate of Cycling Ireland ! As to whether " Anto Moran " will consider accepting this proposal , i feel sure that his INTEGRITY , is such , that other Countries will be happy to endorse the Proposal . This man has shown the Cycling World that he will not be a party to the " Shenanigans " that have taken place in Aigle , during the past Generation .

Anto Moran , has done Volunteer work for Cycling Ireland and will be as aware of what is needed in the UCI , as any other Candidate . He would probably be reluctant to live in Aigle & Switzerland , full time , BUT , this is a world where SO MUCH of the admin work can be done over the Internet . Physically being on site is not a Game Breaker . During the period he will hold that Office , he could oversee the CHANGES that are required to improve the Constitution of the UCI , remove " Anti Doping " to another authority , and implement the changes that will see the UCI become more Transparent .

All the items that you proposed to Pat Mc Quaid , to be considered , would be at the forefront of Anto's agenda . He appears to be a man of principle and would undoubtedly win over ALL Those with a different agenda !

As time is pressing , i would ask that Anto be consulted , IMMEDIATELY , so that in sending out the " Notice of EGM " , you will be able to include this proposal for consideration also ?

sincerely

Skippy Mc Carthy

PS Whilst i do not expect an answer , i would appreciate an office worker , acknowledging receipt of this Email !

Sent to Office Holders at Cycling Ireland : geoff@cyclingireland.ie

http://www.cyclingireland.ie/Home/Contact-Cycling-Ireland.aspx

CYCLISTS in the CITY

noreply@blogger.com (skippy) — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 08:44:00 +0000

Another tragedy on the London Streets created by a Tipper Truck ! This was the report i read today , after returning from the " Giro del Trentino " on the Website " Cyclists in the City "! Thankfully , i live in a country area where traffic is lighter , although i have occasion to chase after errant motorists and remind them that , their being in a vehicle does not absolve them from responsibility for their illconsidered actions !

Before going to Italy i was heading west , up a slope towards Weising , when i was passed by a 7 Tonne Box Truck . He then braked within metres , moved into my path ans signalled his left turn into a trading estate . My appointment elsewhere went out the window , as i followed him into the left turn . Within metres of the turn , i found that i was being " Beeped " by a White Van , who was following , then he decided to overtake on a bridge . Alongside me , he started guesturing , sort of get out of my way , moved over to squeeze me to the kurb , except i was not moving , but his passenger window got a few thumps . The " Nothegger " parcel truck was less than 10 metres in front of us both .

When we were about 300m from the road junction , we were in a turning area that was a junction of several estate roads . He was deciding what to do , whether to get out of the van , having arrived at his destination , or to try to leave/flee the scene . His decision was made for him by a colleague going to the van . This was his home depot . For me this was welcome relief as i was able to go into the warehouse and demand " Either Polizei or Director "! Whilst awaiting the arrival i asked several of the workers " How would you behave , if it was your Wife/Husband , Son/Daughter , Father/Mother menaced by a vehicle .

Eventually a Manager arrived , explanations made and a " Promise " of DRIVER TRAINING made ! I made the point , that HAD I been injured or worse , the Director would have faced the prospect of " Corporate Manslaughter " in the most extreme case . The prospect of which , he was unaware , but is an option available to the Authorities in many Countries . As i was leaving , one of the other Directors , arrived and told the audience that he sees me daily riding throughout the winter , mostly in shorts . At a guess the business was a Father / Son enterprise that acts as distributor for various other Nationally known Products ?

After leaving this work place , i went next door to see about confronting the driver from " Nothegger " , in the interim , he had departed . On explanation , the staff found the paperwork , relating to the delivery of goods and supplied the vehicle details and phoned to discover the Driver details .

Each of these enterprises , acted in the same manner as countless others . They put themselves in my shoes , recognised that the behaviour was unacceptable and supplied the info sought , to see the perpetrator was acquainted with their reaction . People generally realise that Drivers are frequently guilty of acting thoughtlessly whilst in control of a vehicle . Politicians and the Policing Authorities on the other hand rely on seeing the incident take place before they decide to act .

Whilst in the Trentino , i was passed by a car in a tunnel , which was being overtaken at the time by another car . The overtaking car was across the DOUBLE WHITE LINES , contrary to the Road Regulations , and facing oncoming traffic , posing the risk of a Headon Collision . This tunnel was followed by another where there were Road Works controlled by Traffic Lights ! The offending Driver was awoken from his day dreams by the flash of my camera , capturing his image and number plate . In Ponte Arche , the next Town , the road Junctions were controlled by the Polizia Locale , who now have copies by email of those photos .

What the Polizia Locale will do now , remains subject to conjecture , my photos and word against a " Local driver " , who knows ? Perhaps in checking their records the Polizei , will discover that this is the latest of a string of incidents ?

BACK TO THE WEB story :

" Cyclists in the city " relates the following items :

" And in the meantime, I'd recommend you read Mark Ames's sage words of advice: " Always remember; if the truck is ahead, stay back. If the truck is behind, get ahead."

But just using this common sense isn't enough. I avoided being run over by a tipper truck last summer by bailing out on to the pavement. The driver decided to overtake me in a pinchpoint. The only two options were a) deliberately fall off my bike b) have the driver run me over. This, by the way, is a pinchpoint on Cycle Super Highway 8 that now has a massive 'look out for cyclists!' sign in front of it. The engineers know it's not safe. It isn't safe. They need to sort it out. Getting ahead or staying back isn't enough to keep you safe on a bike. We need meaningful and proper intervention - on our roads and in the construction industry. And we need it now. "

" The BBC yesterday: "A sat-nav system which warns lorry drivers when they are approaching roads where they are most at risk of hitting a cyclist has been unveiled."

My response :

When you have drivers , on the cell phone , eating their lunch , held in one hand , whilst shuffling paperwork with the other , possibly with a fag in the ashtray and holding the steering wheel with a knee , ACCIDENTS WILL HAPPEN ! In my Blog Post , several years ago , i faced an oncoming Sprinter van , doing just that , had i not swerved left , to the wrong side of the road , it would have been curtains . As it was i finished up , facing his colleague , following in a similar vehicle emblazened with their Employers Graphics ! That Driver when stopped , was , " What can i Do "?

" Cyclists in the City " :

" The Manchester Gazette earlier this week: "Cyclists in Manchester are set to benefit from investment in safer roads...[with] 100 advanced stop lines and 50 trixi mirrors help prevent cyclist casualties".

I don't hold out much hope for trixi mirrors or sat nav gizmos making a blind bit of difference.

What I do trust, however, is the report by the Netherlands' road safety institute which says this: "Truck drivers do not make the best possible use of the different mirrors [and] cyclists insufficiently take account of the fact that trucks have a limited visual field. The ultimate solution for the blind spot problem is a structural separation of trucks and cyclists."

" Enough is enough. The solutions proposed and promoted by the UK media are half-baked, ill-thought through and not good enough. The Dutch are right. You need to keep tipper trucks and people on bikes apart from each other. The majority of people killed on bikes on London's roads are killed in collisions that involve tipper trucks.

But you also need to sort out the lethal practices of the construction industry. Every week, it seems, another person is mauled or killed by a tipper truck. My view? The construction industry has a lot to answer for. As ibikelondon blog puts it: "A combination of unscrupulous payment practices whereby some drivers are paid per load, a distinctly criminal element that runs through the haulage industry, and the fact that most drivers (no matter how careful) can't actually see the vulnerable road users around them, combine to ensure that HGVs are the most dangerous vehicles on the roads, and account for a shocking level of deaths." I'd clarify that comment a bit and say it's not just any old HGV drivers. It is largely (but not exclusively) tipper truck drivers that are the menaces on our streets, driving waste for the construction industry."

Junction of Theobolds Road / Gray's Inn Road today
Picture courtesy Joseph Stashko

2009. A green tipper truck. Just near Oval tube station at the junction of Kennington Park Road and Harleyford Road. Plus Catriona Patel, cycling to work.

What followed?

"'I've lost half of my life' - a man speaking today about the death of his wife. Katrina [sic] Patel was crushed by a lorry last year, cycling through the morning rush-hour by Oval tube station. The driver, Denis Putz, was over the legal drink-drive limit. He was on his mobile phone. And he'd been caught 'driving while disqualified' 20 times before. He was jailed for 7 years yesterday and 'banned from driving' for life."

" Read that carefully - he'd been caught driving while disqualified 20 times before. What sort of industry hires people who are so utterly incapable of doing the job safely and gets away with it?

Last week, "Dr Katharine Giles, 35, a lecturer and research fellow at University College London, was crushed to death under a tipper truck in Victoria as horrified commuters looked on".

WHAT I THINK IS NEEDED , is to take " Members of Parliament / Members of Congress " , out on the streets UNESCORTED , leave them at the mercy of the Traffic !

See how they feel when they next convene to discuss " Road Cycling Issues "?

BTW , don't get me onto the " GUN CONTROL Issues " in the USA !

Members of Congress have sold their SOULS to the NRA ! Have they no conscience ?

NO ! They are sitting on it , it is in their " BEST INTERESTS " to see NRA triumph over the LIVES OF THE ORDINARY VOTER !

Even GIFFORD , their colleague being turned from a BRIGHT Articulate Politician , into a Person that struggles to articulate their views , has had little effect on them !

LETTER TO CYCLING IRELAND

noreply@blogger.com (skippy) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 19:13:00 +0000

Reports in the Media , indicate that you , Cycling Ireland , will be hearing Pat Mc Quaid speak about Cycling Ireland proposing him for his third term as President of UCI ! Just about any Cycling fan , WORLDWIDE ; will tell you , that they have reservations about his suitability for this Post ! In fact , had this Man any conscience , he would have either stood down whilst the " UCIIC " , conducted their investigation , as a result of his setting them in place , OR he would have resigned , in recognition of his " Conflicts of Interest "!

Not being a member of your Federation , i can only offer my observations , however , being born in Dublin and living in Europe , i feel that i have an interest in the outcome of your deliberations . I am led to believe there is an Australian on your board , Vern Power ? No doubt he has expressed his opinion , and as i am led to believe , has Dr. Conor Mc Grane ? Reading a number of Reports , there are suggestions , that the board of Cycling Ireland are not unanimously in agreement , about nominating Pat Mc Quaid for continuing in the post of President at the UCI .

With the controversies created by the USADA investigation that led to the " Life Time Ban on Lance Armstrong " , there appears to be many issues requiring further investigation !

Further to this issue , there is the matter of the " Information passed to Swiss Authorities " , by Paul Kimmage in November 2012 ! During the period 1990 through to current times , YOU , like other Cycling Fans and Cycling Stakeholders , will have been aware of the amount of information , that Paul Kimmage has published in respect of the " Doping Conspiracies " in Cycling Sport !

May i venture to add my support to the call for Cycling Ireland to hold an " EGM ", thus giving the FULL MEMBERSHIP , the opportunity to voice their opinion as to the acceptability of Cycling Ireland , nominating Par Mc Quaid , once again ?

Should you have any doubt of the feelings of Cycling Fans in respect of Pat Mc Quaid , you would do well to view " Cycling News Forum " threads listed below !

http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthread.php?t=15417

http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthread.php?t=19631

Further to this site, you will see other forums voicing their opinion also !

With April 12th , fast approaching , WE , The Cycling Fans , are hoping that Cycling Ireland will OPT to have an EGM ! Should you do so , you will see the level of discontent with the UCI .

When you look at today's media reports about the controversy surfacing in respect of rule " 1.2.019 ", currently causing concern in USA Cycling , then add this , to all the other unresolved issues , you will see what a quagmire , Cycling Sport , finds itself bogged down in !

Sincerely

Skippy Mc Carthy

Sent to Office Holders at Cycling Ireland :

http://www.cyclingireland.ie/Home/Contact-Cycling-Ireland.aspx

Dick Pound , STEP FORWARD !

noreply@blogger.com (skippy) — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 12:57:00 +0000

UCI Management Committee met Friday ! So far , only rumours have surfaced regarding the goings on that took place there , @uci_overlord & @raceradio , have tweeted , but where there is normally formal information /transcript forthcoming , i have yet to locate this . Considering the email exchanges that have been " pingponging ", between WADA , USADA , UCI , IOC ,CCN & UCIIC , this period seems strangely quiet ?

Oncer again Charles Pelkey has reminded Cycling Fans of the past , with the latest article in " Red Kite Prayer " , " This time i am serious "! April 1st 2005 , he was successful in fooling the Boston Globe into reprinting without Attribution his offering :

http://velonews.competitor.com/2005/04/news/pound-slated-to-take-over-as-uci-president_7779

This week's article is really worth a read :

http://redkiteprayer.com/2013/02/the-explainer-this-time-im-serious/comment-page-1/#comment-577613

Dick Pound needs to be encouraged to STEP FORWARD !

My comment to " Red Kite Prayer "!:

@rodsays , you may not be aware that John T. pres. of Canadian Cycling , waded into this connundrum , last week with the following letter :

http://www.canadiancyclist.com/dailynews.php?id=25637

Wonder how John fared on Friday at the meeting , hopefully , he received support from other Delegates ? No report apparent from that meeting other than rumours via @uci_overlord & @raceradio ! Seem several reports of phat mc squat being extensively booed at the Cyclocross Worlds on Saturday , reports of the " booing , being edited out of the UCI Link , have also surfaced !

Dick Pound loves to get in Nein's face , as i found in Athens 2004 Olympics , when he introduced himself outside the Hilton Hotel !

Written to Brian Cookson , reminding him that , " He is responsible to his Electorate ". Suggest that your readers write their " UCI Delegate on the UCI Management Committee " thus offer the following Email addresses :

Mike Plant membership@usacycling.org usa

Attn Hee Wook Cho cycling@sports.or.kr korea

Attn Renato Di Rocco Presdenza@federciclismo.it italy

Artur Lopes geral@uvp-fpc.pt portugal

Mohamed Wagih Azzam Egypt_cycling@hotmail.com egypt

Daniel Baal dbaal.cycling@ymail.com france

Jose Manuel Pelaez panaci@enet,cu cuba

Sheik FaisalBin Humaid Al Qassimi info@uaecf.ae uae

brian cookson info@britishcycling.org.uk uk

david Lappartient presidency@ffc.fr france

Mohamed Jamel Louafi ftc@planet.tn tunisia

igor Makarov cycling@roc.ru russia

Peder Pedersen dcu@dcu-cykling.dk denmark

Pass these along to ALL YOUR CONTACTS !

BOMBARD , regularly YOUR Delegate , remind them THAT YOUR FEES , pay for their comforts and aspirations !

Only ACTION , will get results ! Change the following " Petitions " wording , to get a BETTER RESULT , or advise similar to ALL CYCLING FORUMS !

http://www.change.org/petitions/wada-create-an-amnesty-in-all-sports …

http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/office-of-the-governor-general-of-australia-create-the-means-for-a-sports-amnesty-in-australia#invite …

http://www.change.org/petitions/international-cycling-union-aka-the-uci-...

Let's not wait until April 1st , this time ? Nor hope that in September , UCI Delegates , will pull their nose out of the banquet , phat mc sqat will provide in his next term !

WE ARE RESPONSIBLE for our Sport , so ACT !