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[email protected] Photo: Photo: Cycling England Wheels of fortune Support for cycling was erratic over the winter, with winners, losers, and some still waiting to see where the funding roulette wheel will stop

ycling is a broad church, and Transport Minister Rosie Winterton, D e p a rt m e n t o f C u l t u r e , M e d i a a n d C sometimes that makes for who promised to ‘work with S p o rt t h a t S p o rt E ng l a n d i s s h i ft i ng conflicting messages – especially Cycling England and give long term f r o m p h y s i c a l a ct i v i ty b a c k to ‘re a l where money is concerned. This commitment’ when she spoke at a s p o rt ’, a rg u i ng t h a t i t w as s o m e o n e winter was no exception. conference showcasing the progress e l s e’s jo b to w o r ry a b o u t t h e n a t i o n’s First the good news. Sustrans’ of the six Cycling Demonstration p h y s i c a l a ct i v i ty l e ve l s. Cycl i ng Connect2 project won ‘the People’s Towns. She didn’t say when this c o u l d b e t h e b igge s t c as u a l ty. U n l i ke Millions’ public vote. Sustrans Chief commitment would be forthcoming. s w i m m i ng , s a i l i ng , h o r s e r i d i ng o r Executive John Grimshaw sent a Cycling England’s funding seems e ve n s kyd i v i ng , c yc l i ng h as b e e n s p l i t personal note to CTC, asking us to to be mired in an internal bun-fight a p a rt , w i t h c o m p e t i t i ve c yc l i ng (ro a d thank you for your support. within the DfT about how to balance r a c i ng , B MX a n d m o u n t a i n b i k i ng) Also, CTC’s Lottery Funded sustainable transport against the c o n s i d e r e d s p o rt , a n d e ve ryt h i ng e l s e programme ‘Cycling Champions’ is mighty roads and runways lobby. c l as s e d as r e c r e a t i o n a l – i.e. n o t s p o rt . now under way, with 11 of the 15 staff Tristram Hunt wrote a good piece in Q u i t e h o w a p l a y o n t h e s l i d e a t t h e already appointed. In the next issue l o c a l p o o l i s s p o rt we’ll introduce the teams and explain w h i l e a tw o - h o u r a bit more about what each of them ‘How a play on the slide at the local pool b i ke r i d e i s n o t is doing, but check out www.ctc.org. is sport while a two-hour bike ride is not is i s s o m e t h i ng w e uk/champions for updates. h a ve ye t to w o r k something we have yet to work out’ o u t . B u t CTC, CYCLING ENGLAND EXPECTS B r i t i s h Cycl i ng Now the bad news. When we went the Guardian – worth reading online. a n d m a n y l o c a l a u t h o r i ty s p o rt s to press, Cycling England was still Search for ‘stop sniffing the petrol’. d e p a rt m e n t s w i l l b e h ig h l ig h t i ng j u s t waiting to hear about its future, h o w d a ft t h e d i s t i n ct i o n i s. L o ng - t e r m , some four months after submitting NOT VERY SPORTING i t c o u l d m e a n t h a t o n e o f o u r b e s t its funding bid. The Department But the award for ‘lack of joined-up O l y m p i c s p o rt s e n d s u p as t h e p o o r for Transport has been curiously thinking by a government department’ r e l a t i o n , d e s p i t e m a n y g r e a t s u c c e s s e s silent, with just a murmur from goes to an announcement from the o ve r t h e p as t f e w ye a r s.

6 CYCLE FEBRUARY/MARCH 2008 FROM THE CAMPAIGNS DEPT Gordon Selway: ROGER GEFFEN Road safety looks set to be a major 1949-2007 focus of our campaigning in TC Councillor Gordon Selway, 2008. C one of cycling’s hardest working Firstly, the campaigners and most formidable Government’s intellectual forces, died suddenly in decision to carry out a study of cycle safety issues is November. Gordon was not only CTC long overdue. It is good news that Councillor for the West Midlands Region they will look into the problems of and a Trustee of the Cyclists’ Defence collecting the data needed to assess Fund (see p8) but held seven other CTC cyclists’ safety in the first place. voluntary campaigning posts at local and The under-reporting of cyclists’ national level. He volunteered for at least casualties is a well recognised problem, but research is still needed six other charities and was an elected on how best to address it. The member of Bromsgrove District Council. Department for Transport (DfT) In particular, Gordon was a nationally also proposes to assess the relative recognised expert on rail issues, and his benefits to cycle safety of cycle- knowledge of legal matters was unparalleled. specific provision (e.g. cycle lanes or Whether you wanted to know about traffic, tracks) and other measures (such as

highways and planning law, employment, Photo: Mike Harrison lower speed limits). However, the study also needs charity or health and safety, through to to understand the factors which the most obscure aspects of rights of way moved on to another scholarship at Oxford most endanger cyclists – e.g. bad legislation, Gordon usually knew the answer. where he read classics. After teaching Latin driver behaviour (such as speeding), And if he didn’t, he would always know where and Greek, he went into a legal career until ill highway layouts (such as dangerous to hunt it down. It was perhaps fitting that he health forced him to return to Bromsgrove in roundabouts) and vehicle design, passed away on a train, having cycled to the the late ’80s. This became Gordon’s chance particularly HGVs. And it must avoid exaggerating the ‘dangers’ of station that morning. He had several health to get involved in voluntary organisations, cycling – its health benefits still far issues, which generally he chose to ignore and including CTC and Birmingham’s Push Bikes outweigh the risks involved. just get on with doing the things he liked to do cycle campaign group. Meanwhile, the Commons and which he knew he could do best. CTC Director Kevin Mayne recalled: ‘My Transport Select Committee will be Responding to the many tributes, Jill Kieran, abiding memory is him phoning me at 10pm conducting an inquiry on all aspects Chair of the Council, said: ‘Gordon was one night because he thought he ought of road safety. CTC will be making the arguments for lower speed indefatigable and the range of his interests to remind me that he had just petitioned limits, better street design and and knowledge were extraordinary. Over Parliament about the Crossrail Bill on the more emphasis on driver awareness the years his ability to give detailed support club’s behalf. I didn’t worry, because when it campaigns backed by tougher and to campaigners throughout the country on came to that level of policy detail he could be better-enforced road traffic law. the most complex of issues has made a huge trusted implicitly to get it right.’ The aim must be to make speeding, difference to cycling. He will be sadly missed.’ A fuller obituary, including links to examples mobile phone use and other forms of Born in Bromsgrove, Gordon attended King of Gordon’s work, appears on the CTC dangerous driving as unacceptable as drink-driving. Edwards, Birmingham on a scholarship and Obituaries web page. Along with consultations on the training of novice drivers and on penalty points for speeding drivers, we also await the introduction of new ‘bad driving’ offences, along CHANGES ON COUNCIL with recently published policies on the prosecution and sentencing of bad drivers. Mobile phone users will gaping hole has appeared on CTC Council with the death of Gordon Selway be treated more severely (something A (above). There will never be another Gordon, but many members will have other CTC had called for) but surely the skills that they could bring to Council. guidelines are wrong to classify This is an exciting time for CTC with the start of a new five-year plan for the organisation. If you drivers who pull out of side roads are interested in standing for Council to represent the West Midlands until the end of December as merely ‘careless’ not ‘dangerous’! 2008, complete a nomination form (available on the CTC website or from National Office) and Ultimately the legal framework itself still needs a proper overhaul. return it by 29th February 2008. If you want to know more about being a councillor, see the CTC The Commons inquiry and the website or phone any existing member of Council or Director Kevin Mayne at National Office. cycle safety study will both have The last issue of Cycle called for nominations to fill vacancies in London and the North West. a major impact on a new Road Three nominations were received for the North West; ballot papers are included with the magazine Safety Strategy for the coming for members in the region. No nominations were received for the vacancy for London, but Council decade, which the Government is has extended the deadline to 29th February. To stand, complete a nomination form as above. due to start work on later this year. CTC is now drawing up plans for The vacancy in London was triggered because the existing Councillor, Philip Benstead, is a major road safety campaigning disqualified from acting as a CTC Councillor from 31st July 2007 for five years. Under CTC’s article initiative. Watch this space for more of association ‘No person disqualified from acting as a trustee of a registered charity by virtue of information! section 72(1) of the Charities Act 1993 shall serve as a member of the Council.’

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2008 CYCLE 7 CYCLENEWS

FROM THE TOURING DEPT MARK WATERS Cycle safety review If it’s cold and miserable TC has welcomed a Government outside, it Cdecision to commission a study of means that cyclists’ safety, but cautions that it now your time could needs to ask the right questions if it is to best be used in thinking come up with useful answers! about all those News of the study, to commence shortly, wonderful places you’re going to coincides with media reports of the death of visit this year on your bike. It has cyclist Kate Charles, a 41-year-old lawyer at the been said that your tour begins Department for the Environment, killed by a the moment you open the map out lorry at the junction of Brixton Hill and the South and start planning. There was a time when Circular Road in south London. We understand researching a tour involved visits she is the sixth cyclist – and the third woman to the library, travel agent and cyclist – to be killed by a lorry in London during local bookshop. Invariably maps of 2007. And her death came just one week after a scale suitable for cycle touring, HGV driver Colin Jones was cleared of careless or of unusual destinations had to driving following the death in 2006 of 28-year- be ordered and you never really had an idea as to whether they old cyclist Victoria Buchanan. He claimed he were the best ones for the job. had checked his mirrors repeatedly but failed to How times have changed! You see Buchanan in her hi-viz top as he turned left hardly need actually to go on across the cycle lane where she was riding. face are overwhelmingly from dangerous roads holiday these days, such is the CTC Campaigns manager Roger Geffen and junctions, from lorries and other dangerous breadth of knowledge and number said: ‘While it’s great that the Government is vehicles and – above all – from dangerous of travel reports available from studying cyclists’ safety, it is vital that they look drivers. We have to find ways to crack down on down a broadband cable. With the plethora of sites beyond the obvious issues of cycle tracks and the classic “sorry, didn’t see you mate” and other describing routes and destinations, helmets. Cyclists don’t fall off for fun – there is similar “little errors”, whose consequences can it’s easy to forget the time and usually a very good reason. The risks cyclists sometimes prove catastrophic.’ effort that goes into making CTC information sheets useful to members. Whilst human resources are strictly limited, we do our best to keep our ‘country information FIGHTING FOR CYCLING sheets’ up to date. So when you’re he Cyclists’ Defence Fund (CDF) is looking for two or three new trustees to oversee its wondering which are the best work on legal issues relating to cycling, and a number of lawyers to sit on its Advisory maps to use on your forthcoming T tour to wherever, it’s worth having Panel. The CDF was originally set up by CTC but is now an independent charity. Its work a look at the relevant CTC country includes providing support for legal actions which may impact on the legal treatment of information sheet. You can get cycling and cyclists. them from the website or from Do you have expertise in planning, road traffic, highways, rights of way or health and safety law? If National Office. so, would you be willing to be an Advisory Panel member to assess cases which CDF is being asked Do remember, when you to support and advise the board on whether CDF should back them? Or perhaps you have the skills get back to let us know of any to make decisions as a CDF Board member, taking advice on proposed cases and other projects, information you’ve gleaned from you trip which others might find keeping an eye on their legal, political, financial, PR or fund-raising implications? useful. Happy touring! For either role, please email [email protected] or see www.cyclistsdefencefund. org.uk for more information. Those without internet access should contact CTC National Office in the first instance. NEWSINBRIEF

D E A T H B Y C A R E L E S S D R I V I N G Carbon paper T h e R o a d S a f e t y A c t ’ s n e w o f f e n c e o f ‘ c a u s i n g d e a t h b y c a r e l e s s d r i v i n g ’ ack in No v ember last y ear, the c o m e s i n t o f o r c e e a r l y i n 2 0 0 8 . W e BDepartment for Transport (DfT) r e m a i n c o n c e r n e d t h a t , i n s t e a d o f released its vision for the future of i n c r e a s i n g t h e s e n t e n c e s f o r d r i v e r s transport: the snappily titled ‘Towards w h o k i l l , i t c o u l d r e s u l t i n c a s e s a Sustainable Transport S ystem ’. They b e i n g t r e a t e d a s ‘ c a r e l e s s ’ w h e n ha v e been running workshops around the p r e v i o u s l y t h e m o r e s e r i o u s o f f e n c e o f ‘ c a u s i n g d e a t h b y d a n g e r o u s country, with CT C staff , Councillors and d r i v i n g ’ w o u l d h a v e b e e n u s e d . I n Right to Ride reps in attendance. a n y e v e n t , t h e n e w o f f e n c e s t i l l d o e s T h e D f T h a s p r o p o s e d t h a t a n y c a r b o n Department’ s new priorities - also potentially n o t a d d r e s s t h e m i s m a t c h b e t w e e n r e d u c t i o n s f r o m t r a n s p o r t w i l l c o m e f r o m s u r f a c e of benefit t o cyclin g. This will lead t o a Green t h e t o u g h s e n t e n c e s n o w a v a i l a b l e t r a n s p o r t a l o n e a n d b e m a d e b y t e c h n o l o g y Paper in May, with a White Paper later in the f o r d r i v e r s w h o k i l l c o m p a r e d w i t h c h a n g e s ( v e r y h o p e f u l ! ) a n d t a c k l i n g s h o r t c a r y ear, all of which present us opportunities t o t h o s e w h o s e d r i v i n g i s p o t e n t i a l l y lev er a better role for cyclin g. l e t h a l b u t w h e r e n o b o d y d i e s . j o u r n e y s – i n p a r t b y c y c l i n g . The document also acknowled g es the For more information, see www . ctc. or g. uk/ health contributions of transport in one of the campai gns.

8 CYCLE FEBRUARY/MARCH 2008 WE WANT TO YOUR NEWS FROM ACROSS CTC’S REGIONS KNOW ABOUT YOUR LOCAL NEWS STORIES We’ll publish them here and on the website. Email LOCALNEWS [email protected] NEWSINBRIEF Scot free bike hire GRAMPIAN RALLY tow n f rom Ta in a nd the N orth L ine, a nd a new The 4th Grampian Rally will INVERNESS commu te r tr a in f rom K ingussie. M os t off ice s a re take place on 23rd-28th May in 3 ⁄4 t o 1 1 ⁄2 miles from the station – on the lon g Maryculter, Aberdeen. There will side for w a lk ing , bu t ide a l for c yc ling. be daily rides of 20, 40 and 60 miles followed by nightly social W i th a commenda ble pr a g ma tism the Loc a l activities culminating in a ceilidh Tr a nsp ort For um ob t a ine d 2 0 bikes a nd s e t up a and buffet on the last night. f re e c yc le hire s c he me to f ill this ne e d. M os t f re e The routes will traverse parts bike s c he me s t a ke a ve ry na ï ve s t a nce a nd tr us t of The Victorian Heritage Trail, th e hire r s to re tur n bikes promp tl y. T his s c h e m e The Coastal Trail, and Scotland’s ma kes us e of s t aff a lre ad y on du t y a t the ma in Castle Trail with an experienced local rider leading each group. For Ros e Stre e t c a r pa r k, w hic h is r ig h t b e side the information or booking, contact bus s t a tion a nd t wo minu te s f rom the r a il s t a tion. Heather Reid, tel: 01224 873380, nve r n e ss isn’ t qui te th e Pa r is of th e A ll us e r s have to reg is te r (fre e) a nd ad v a nce [email protected]. I north, but it does ha v e a bik e hire b o o k ing is th e p re fe r re d w ay of wo r k ing. se rv ice – a n d i t ’s fre e. Since la s t au tumn, T he ma in cos t ha s b e e n bike pa r k ing CHESTER & NORTH WALES 100 20 un cla im e d b ikes fro m th e N o rth e r n (pic ture d), w hich w a s supplie d by Hi tr a ns, The group’s flagship event, the w hile th e bikes a re ma in t a ine d by a you th sk ills Co ns t a b ula ry h ave fo r m e d a hire p oo l th at Bert Bailey Memorial Veterans’ o p e r ate s o u t of th e tow n’s m a in c a r pa r k. prog r a mm e c a lle d M P 33. H ig hla nd Counc il 100, will take place on 6th July Inve r ne ss is a compac t tow n w i th a re ce n t g i ve s the space in the c a r pa r k a nd s t aff time. 2008. This very popular fixture inf lu x of r a il commu ter s. T here ha s been a 2 00% De t a ils a t www . intrans . or g . uk – f ollow the Re- will be limited to 100 riders next inc re a s e in the numb e r of tr a ins he ading in to the C y cle links . year and entries will be accepted strictly in the order received, so early application is advised. Besides being roadworthy, all bikes must be equipped with NEW CTC LOCAL GROUPS mudguards and either a saddlebag CORNWALL, or bar-bag. Entry forms will ew C TC me mb e r g roups a re sp r ing ing up in th e Wes t Coun try, DUMFRIES, FYLDE be available from 1st February N S co t la n d, a n d L a nc a shire. Each w ill have a n inaugur a l me e ting, at w hich a ll lo c a l C TC – email d i a m e n t i n a @ b t i n t e r n e t . me mb e rs a re urge d to at te n d. c o m or write to: David Ackerley, T he me e ting to for m CTC Cor nw a ll t a kes place on 2nd M a rc h a t C hina C lay Coun try Pa r k, W he a l Ardminish House, Tattenhall Rd, M a rt y n, C a rth ew, St Aus te ll, PL 26 8 XG. I t w ill r un f rom 11am to 1pm a nd re f re shm e n t s a nd a Tattenhall, Nr Chester, CH3 9QQ. bu ffe t lunc h a re inc lu de d. T h e m e e ting mus t colle c t th e sig na ture s of 10 CTC m e mb e r s to for m th e g roup. Cor nish me mb e r s conside r ing a tte nding should con t ac t A le x G e e n, tel: 0 14 8 3 2 3 8 33 4, alex. SOUTH BUCKS g een@ct c. or g . uk. WEBMASTER HONOURED T h e m e e ting to for m CTC D um f r ie s a nd G a llow ay w ill b e on 15th M a rc h a t 1.3 0 pm a t th e St At CTC South Bucks’ 2007 Ninia n’s C hurc h H a ll, W hi te pa r k, C a s tle D oug la s. For de t a ils, con t ac t J ohn Tay lor, tel: 0 1556 6 7039 5, AGM, webmaster Paul Robinson johnwt ay lor @ c a re 4 f ree.ne t. was honoured for his work in setting up and running the group T he F y lde B ic ycle B elle s in L a nc a shire a re a ls o a b ou t to b e come a CTC me mb e r g roup. T he website. Jane Crombie said: m e e ting w ill b e a t 12 no on on 24th Fe br ua ry a t B illing ton’s C afé, Ro o t s L a ne, B lac k le ac h (ne a r ‘Paul took this job on a few years K ir k ha m), L a nc a shire. Con t ac t Ur sula Wa lker for de t a ils, tel: 0 1253 76 8 8 8 9, u w a lker @ tis c a li.co.uk. ago and, starting from scratch, built it up to the magnificent site it is today. He is always adding innovations and trying to Stands up for cycling improve things. We showed our appreciation by presenting him ong r atulations to c ycle - c a mpaig ne r David G a rf ie ld, LONDON with a certificate.’ C who ma na ge d to ge t these sple ndid c ycle -s t a n ds ins t a lle d ou t side the H ave r ing Council O f f ices in Romford. H e w r i tes: ‘ Promo ting th e bic ycle a s a R U B B I S H R O A D S A H E A D v ia b le tr a nsport mo de is ce n tr a l to my ad vo c ac y a n d CTC is supporting an initiative to help clear the roads of debris such c a mpaig ning. T hat ’s w hy I r ide a p rop e r l y e quip p e d, as broken glass, metal, gravel us e r-fr ie n dl y, l ow - m a in te n a n ce b ike th at wo n’ t m a r k and other rubbish. The British my cl o thing. S imila r l y, a b ike ow n e r sho ul d b e e n a b l e d Motorcyclists’ Federation (BMF) to t a ke a p r i d e in t h e b ike’s a p p e a r a n ce. has produced a ‘Rubbish Roads ‘Conven tiona l c ycle - s t a nds a re de sig ne d w i th the f lawe d Ahead’ booklet and is writing to pr inciple tha t the bike’s f r a me should b e le a ne d a ga ins t i t. every local highway authority urging them to clean-up the areas Da ma ge c a n re sul t to the pa in t wor k, g r a phic s a nd protr uding of carriageway used by two- comp one n t s (br a ke a r ms, la mp br ac ket s, pa nnie r s, e tc.). wheeled vehicles. CTC Campaigns T ha t ’s w hy I a r r i ve d a t this a l te r na ti ve de sig n, w hic h onl y & Policy Manager, Roger Geffen, re quire s con t ac t w i th the s e a t a nd pe da l. T here a re other said: ‘Rubbish Roads are as much ad v a n t a ges, bu t i t ’s ad v is a ble to a nchor the f ron t w heel to as a problem for cyclists as they preve n t i t t w is ting sidew ay s. ( I t ’s re comme nde d to us e t wo are for powered two-wheelers.’ lo c k s in L ondon a nyw ay.)’

10 CYCLE FEBRUARY/MARCH 2008