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!

GET BRITAIN CYCLING CAMPAIGN POSTER

You only have until 5th December 2012

Take this opportunity to have your say

Do your bit to improve our roads

For further information visit the "Get Britain Cycling" section of this blog & send your email ASAP 

PEACE CYCLING SPORTS A NEW LOGO

As support for the campaigns I am promoting grows I thought it was time to create an identity, which as my campaigning develops will become a recognisable symbol of the ultimate aim for Peace on our roads;

"Safer Roads for Cyclists = Safer Roads 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"

MAKING THE NEWS - BBC RADIO & IN PRINT

ADVERTIZER NEWSPAPER 17.12.13 Injured cyclist still fighting for a 20mph speed limit


SHROPSHIRE STAR NEWSPAPER 31.10.13

http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2013/09/27/plans-for-20mph-speed-limit-in-oswestry-put-on-hold/

ADVERTIZER NEWSPAPER 28.05.13 Cyclist's speed limit fight gathering pace...A campaign to make Oswestry a 20mph zone...

SHROPSHIRE STAR NEWSPAPER 14.04.13
http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/transport-news/2013/04/04/councillors-call-for-20mph-speed-restrictions-on-all-oswestry-roads/ 

ADVERTIZER NEWSPAPER 09.04.13 http://www.bordercountiesadvertizer.co.uk/news/121531/council-backs-town-centre-speed-cut.aspx

CHRONICLE NEWSPAPER 04.04.13

SHROPSHIRE STAR NEWSPAPER 04.04.13

http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/transport-news/2013/04/04/councillors-call-for-20mph-speed-restrictions-on-all-oswestry-roads/ 

OSWESTRY TOWN COUNCIL 04.04.13
http://www.oswestry-tc.gov.uk/news/article/article/town-centre-20mph.html 

OSWESTRY 21 COMMUNITY VOICES 04.04.13
http://www.oswestry21.com/?features=town-council-backs-20mph-limit-for-town-centre 

ADVERTIZER NEWSPAPER 26.03.13

CHRONICLE NEWSPAPER 26.02.13 
http://www.oswestrychronicle.com/2013/01/25/cyclists-in-campaign-for-20mph-town-zone/

SHROPSHIRE STAR NEWSPAPER 26.02.13
http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/transport-news/2013/01/31/call-for-20mph-limit-over-whole-of-oswestry/

CHRONICLE NESWPAPER 22.02.13 (Shrewsbury)
http://www.shrewsburychronicle.com/2013/02/22/councillors-back-plan-for-20mph-speed-limit/ 

CHRONICLE NEWSPAPER 14.02.13

SHROPSHIRE STAR NEWSPAPER 12.02.13
http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/transport-news/2013/02/12/two-hundred-back-20mph-petition-in-oswestry/

CHRONICLE NEWSPAPER 07.02.13 

ADVERTIZER NEWSPAPER 05.02.13
http://www.bordercountiesadvertizer.co.uk/news/119602/injured-cyclist-says-justice-system-is-too-lenient.aspx

SHROPSHIRE STAR NEWSPAPER 31.01.13

SHROPSHIRE STAR NEWSPAPER 30.01.13

CHRONICLE NEWSPAPER 31.01.13

CHRONICLE NEWSPAPER 24.01.13
http://www.oswestrychronicle.com/2013/01/25/cyclists-in-campaign-for-20mph-town-zone/ 

BBC RADIO SHROPSHIRE 12.01.2013
Live - Discussing cycle safety, raising awareness and safety on our roads 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p012jxyd
(listen again available for a limited time only) 

BBC RADIO SHROPSHIRE 12.11.12
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00zwhnd
(listen again available for a limited time only)

CHRONICLE NEWSPAPER 18.10.13

SHROPSHIRE STAR NEWSPAPER 16.10.13
http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2012/10/16/injured-shropshire-cyclist-in-calls-for-improved-safety/
I am proud to have been a part of campaigning for the Early Day Motion 'Justice Review' alongside British Cycling, encouraging people via social and local media to write to their local MP asking them to sign the Early Day Motion.

ADVERTIZER NEWSPAPER 25.09.12

ADVERTIZER NEWSPAPER 29.08.12
http://www.bordercountiesadvertizer.co.uk/news/115748/cyclist-injured-in-rush-hour-incident.aspx
Subsequently I spent 2 weeks in hospital following emergency surgery and it was from my hospital bed that I started campaigning for "Safer Roads for Cyclists = Safer Roads for All"

ITV GRANADA
News Live: Peace Cycling Blog, Cycling RTC and campaigning Novmber 2012 (no link available)

BBC RADIO 2
Jeremy Vine Show Live: Cycling RTC feature August 2012 (no link available)

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 

GET BRITAIN CYCLING CAMPAIGN

Ask yourself 3 questions;

1. Have you ever moaned about how dangerous our roads have become?
2. Have you ever felt in danger cycling on our roads?
3. Have you always wanted to make a difference but didn't know how?

Well this is your chance to get involved. Read the document available via the link below and email Adam Coffman (coffmana@parliament.uk) before 5th December with your information. Then be proud of yourself for being a part of making "Safer Roads for Cyclists = Safer Roads for All"

Cyclist Inquiry Call for Evidence - Your chance to make a difference

Not sure what to do? Email me; peacecycling@btinternet.com

Thank you for taking a step towards making our roads safer...

You don't want yourself or anyone you know to end up like me with these as your main form of transport!