Road Safety and British Cycling

BBC Poll sparks interview on BBC Radio Shropshire LIVE with Jim Hawkins...

A recent Poll of 3000 people carried out by the BBC suggests

"Roads are 'too dangerous' for cyclists"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-28093374 

Today I was invited to share my story with BBC Radio Shropshire 

on the Jim Hawkins show.

I became physically and psychologically injured whilst cycling on the road in a serious RTC August 2012 at the sole fault of the motorist. My life was stopped it was turned upside down. I am about to spend my 3rd and possibly 4th stay in hospital. Here's an insight into what happened...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIbJeD5756o 


LISTEN AGAIN HERE 1st - 8th July 2014: from 2.17 http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0215l7f 

This completely avoidable RTC sensitized me to road safety. I am not against cycling, I am not anti motorist, I am trying to make positive change towards safer roads and an enhanced environment. which generated my research into helping to improve our roads this research led me to 2 important campaigns;

• '20s Plenty Where People Live' http://www.20splentyforus.org.uk/

Campaigning for 20mph to become the default speed limit on residential and urban streets. The '20s Plenty for Oswestry' group campaign is supported by; Residents, Commuters, Business Owners, Oswestry Town Council, Local West Mercia Police and the Police Crime Commissioner Bill Longmore...furthermore the Leader of Shropshire County Council happily goes on record saying;

"I openly support 20mph for Oswestry" Keith Barrow 01.07.14

• CTC 'Road Justice' http://www.roadjustice.org.uk

Campaigning with a 3 pronged approach to improving the safety of our roads. A 'Sentencing and Courts' debate was held at Bedford Row, London June 2014 with specialist attendees; Simeon Maskrey QC, Martin Porter QC, Chris Brace, Joseph Giret, Sally Cunningham, Katy Waterman, Liz Evans, Kaya Burgess and Paul Kitson along with RTC victims, road safety campaigners, MPs and the press. You can see sound bites from the event here;
https://www.youtube.com/user/CTConline

Road Justice aims to ensure that when an RTC occurs; 

• Police Investigations 
• Prosecution Levels 
• Sentencing and Courts 

Are set at an appropriate level.

An overhaul of Sentencing for driving offenses is long overdue and is currently being looked into for revision at all levels.

What can you do to help?

It's time for change on our roads. Spare a few minutes to click on the CTC 'Road Justice' links below and be a part of positive change.

• Sign the Police Petition http://roadjustice.org.uk/police-petition (12500+) already have 
• Report bad driving http://roadjustice.org.uk/report 
• Email the Justice Minister to support appropriate sentencing http://www.ctc.org.uk/news/ctcs-sentencing-debate-sparks-call-email-justice-minister

You can also support '20s Plenty for Oswestry' by emailing the 4 Local Shropshire Councillors;
keith.barrow@shropshire.gov.uk
martin.bennett@shropshire.gov.uk
peter.cherrington@shropshire.gov.uk
vince.hunt@shropshire.gov.uk
(copy and paste each address into your email)


There are a growing number of campaigns and initiatives to improve road safety and the community;

• Government Cycle to Work Initiative
• NICE & Sustainable Transport initiatives to increase active travel 
• Sustrans #saferstreets
• The Times #cyclesafe manifesto  
• Brake National #GO20

... and many many more

Acting now really could make change & save lives!

20's Plenty for Oswestry gains further support

Oswestry Town Mayor Chris Schofield, 20s Plenty for Oswestry, Rod King MBE 31.03.14

“Welcome to Oswestry” was the message from Town Mayor Councillor Chris Schofield to Rod King MBE before the public meeting at the Walls restaurant. Rod is the founder of 20's Plenty.http://www.oswestry-tc.gov.uk/news/article/article/20s-plenty.html

The Town Council welcomed Rod King MBE to an informal meeting held at Oswestry Guild Hall prior to the 7pm public meeting 31.03.14. At this informal meeting 20mph, DfT Guidelines and the Roads Policy for Shropshire County Council were discussed.

Rod explained;

·      229 local 20mph campaigns are in place across the UK

·      13 million people in the UK now live in 20mph residential and town centre areas

·      20mph implementation is inexpensive

Campaign Support in addition to petition;

·      Oswestry Town Council has endorsed 20mph for Oswestry

·      West Mercia Police are supportive of this campaign

·      All attendees of the public meeting sceptic or otherwise confirmed there support for

    20mph in Oswestry

What’s next?

• A group will now form to secure multi agency support for this campaign with the aim of successful evaluation and implementation. Let me know if you can be a part of this via email peacecycling@btinternet.com
  
  
• The next stage is to secure the support of Local Shropshire Councillors. Please contact them to demonstrate your support for 20mph in Oswestry.

Keith Barrow, Oswestry South Division

keith.barrow@shropshire.gov.uk

Martin Bennett, Oswestry East Division

 martin.bennett@shropshire.gov.uk

Peter Alun Cherrington, Oswestry East Division

 peter.cherrington@shropshire.gov.uk

 

Vince Hunt, Oswestry West Division

 vince.hunt@shropshire.gov.uk

MAKING THE NEWS

More Media Coverage...

Chronicle 03.04.14
Local Cyclist Group Vel-Os supporting 20mph for Oswestry
http://www.oswestrychronicle.com/2013/01/25/cyclists-in-campaign-for-20mph-town-zone/

Oswestry Town Council  01.04.14
Town Mayor welcomes Rod King MBE to Guildhall
http://www.oswestry-tc.gov.uk/news/article/article/20s-plenty.html 

Shropshire Star 01.04.14
Road Safety Campaign's Founder Speaks out at Town 20's Plenty Meeting
http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2014/04/01/road-safety-campaigner-speaks-out-at-oswestry-20s-plenty-meeting/


Free Radio Shropshire 31.03.14
Town Meeting 'How 20s Plenty for Oswestry' 

BBC Radio Shropshire 27.04.14
Featuring Rod King MBE

Chroncicle 27.03.14
Calls to Support Meeting Over Speed
Meeting on 20mph Limit


Shropshire Star 27.03.14
Crash Victim Campaigns for 20mph Limit
http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2014/03/27/crash-victim-campaigns-for-20mph-limit-in-oswestry/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Advertizer 25.03.14
20mph Zone Fight Steps up a Gear

I Heart SY March 2014
20s Plenty Campaign Public Meeting
http://www.iheartsy.co.uk/March%2014%20new_Layout%201%20WEB%20SMALL.pdf
(page 9)

Chronicle 27.02.14
National Award for 20mph Campaigner


Shropshire Star 22.02.14
National Award for 20mph Campaigner

20s PLENTY - BBC RADIO SHROPSHIRE

 

On Wednesday 9th January 2013 I had the 'unexpected' chance to discuss the safety of cyclists on our roads 'live on air' with Jim Hawkins of BBC Shropshire Radio & Emma Bullard of Shropshire County Council. 

You can listen again here until 16th January 2013; http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p012jxyd

(I'm on air from approx 15mins in up to 30mins )

 '20s Plenty Where People Live' petitions now available to sign for Oswestry;

available at - Honeysuckle, Stuart Barkley Cycles & Radio Cafe.

More petitions coming soon to Shrewsbury. 

If you want to protect your area why not start a petition yourself.

Starting Your Own Campaign is Easy...

You can get a petition and poster to campaign in your area and a template letter sent to you via email that you can send to your local Councillor. Email your inquiries to; 

peacecycling@btinternet.com 

follow me on Twitter @S_CPeace for update alerts and information on how you can help make our roads "Safer For Cyclists = Safer For All"

BBC RADIO SHROPSHIRE LISTEN AGAIN

If you missed the live broadcast with my cycling feature on Monday 12.11.12 you can 'listen again'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p00zwhnd/Eric_Smith_and_Clare_Ashford_12_11_2012/

Clips of what I have to say are scattered between 7.00 - 9.00am. This will only be available for a short time (7 days) on Listen Again.

Once you've listened don't forget to go to the "Get Britain Cycling" post and get your email on it's way to;

Adam Coffman (coffmana@parliament.uk) before 5th December

Make our roads a shared space "Safer Roads for Cyclists = Safer Roads for All"

BBC RADIO SHROPSHIRE

I am stepping up my campaign to make "safer roads for cyclists = safer roads for all" you can support me...

TUNE IN TO BBC RADIO SHROPSHIRE Monday 12.11.12  I will be ON AIR 7:08 & 8.08 am.......There will also be further talks on cycling...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radioshropshire 

I will be talking about my personal experience whilst still recovering from a cycling RTC this year & campaigning to make roads #cyclesafe #saferroadsforcyclists #saferroadsforall

To support this campaign further get involved by scrolling to the "Get Britain Cycling" Call For Evidence Inquiry and 'doing your bit'

Thank you & cycle safe out there