World Day of Rememberance

Today is UN World Day of Remeberance

in honour of all those lives lost or injured on roads...

Picture sourced from http://www.roadpeace.org/

(c) S-C Peace

With so many lives being lost or broken on our roads and in particular those of cyclists with an overwhelming number in the past week it's time to take a stand. 

Respect all those effected, change the 'them & us' approach to 'we are all human & trying to get somewhere'. Help to raise awareness on our roads. We can sit and hope for attitudes to change or we can take action and do something about it. An important step is helping people realise the vulnerability of different types of road users. Education is very much needed as we all know. 

An improved justice system is definitely needed and here's where you can help; I am campaigning with #CTC for safer roads with their #roadjustice petition please sign 10,500+ and counting!  

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

For further information on WDR visit http://www.worlddayofremembrance.org/

CTC Justice Report with West Mercia PCC

Please sign this petition asking your local Police force to pledge to

 improve Roads Policing in YOUR area. 1000's already have!

 

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

Meeting West Mercia Police Crime Commissioner Bill Longmore 

to discuss 'The Role of Police' for CTC #roadjustice

• According to CTC Road Police numbers in West Mercia dropped 72% between 2002 and 2012, compared to the national average of 29%
• CTC want to work with West Mercia Police and other forces across the country to help make our roads a safer place to be for VRUs (Vulnerable Road Users)
• You can view my road victim video here http://www.roadjustice.org.uk/Sarah-Charlotte
• You can support the campaign further by donating or signing up for the newsletter here http://www.roadjustice.org.uk/

  Thank you for helping to make our roads 'safer for all'

  

  
  

CTC Cycling Campaign for Justice Reform for Vulnerable Road Users

As an injured cyclist my experience has been documented to demonstrate how the legal system fails to deter bad driving. 

Every year 1000s of VRUs (Vulnerable Road Users) ie pedestrians, cyclist and motor cyclists are injured or killed on UK roads. I am one of 3 UK injured cyclists campaigning for Justice Reform with CTC the National Cycling Charity to improve the way the legal system handles VRUs to improve road safety and ensure justice. 

• RTCs with VRUs are often not thoroughly investigated by police/coroners, leading the CPS to throw out charges due to lack of evidence/coroner verdicts
• Drivers at fault are often given the choice of a driver awareness course or accepting a charge
• Charges of ‘careless’ rather than ‘dangerous’ driving are favoured by the CPS, leaving courts limited to issuing lenient sentences. Failing to; deter bad driving, enforce re-testing or raise driving standards
  
• VRUs are more often than not assumed to be the guilty party until proven otherwise
• There is no guidance or victim support for VRUs following an often life changing RTC

By improving the legal system for VRUs bad drivers will be prosecuted with appropriate punishment. The fear of prosecution and a long-term driving ban/damaging fine will motivate drivers to exercise greater caution.

Find out more and support Road Justice here;
www.roadjustice.org.uk

View my story here;
http://www.roadjustice.org.uk/node/465

A 10mph speed reduction means injuries are 60% less serious

“20’s Plenty for Us” road danger reduction campaign

E-PETITION LINK; 
http://petitions.shropshire.gov.uk/consult.ti/system/viewPetition?petitionid=6538

please remember to activate the automated confirmation email

PAPER PETITIONS AVAILABLE;

OSWESTRY - Honeysuckle, Stuart Barkley Bikes, Radio Cafe, Hobo Florists,

Gobowen Orthopaedic Hospital - Physiotherapy Department, Zion Fitness, Bodytech Gym,
Walford & North Shropshire College, Oswestry Leisure Centre, Furniture Exchange Scheme,

Get Fizzical Get Fit, Aroma Coffee Shop, Gooseberry, Upstairs Downstairs, Milano's Coffee Shop,

Applewoods, Covent Garden Fruit & Veg, Slim Gym Fitness, Walls Eating House, Willow Gallery,

Fitness To Improve, Vel-Os, Station Pharmacy, The Venue, Derwen College,

Coach House Wynnstay, The Gates, Lawrences Newsagents, 

Woodside School, Hobo, Travelodge, Bookabooks, Honey Pots, N Llyod Opticians, 

Sophies Choice Delicatessen, Marches School, Morda School, Woodside School 

& many, many more 

SHREWSBURY - Stans Cycles, Dave Mellor Cycles, Mid-Shropshire Wheelers,

Shrewsbury Sports Village

 

Benefits of a default 20mph speed limit

•   1/3^rd of the country is already signed up for 20mph

•   8 million people already live in places committed to 20mph

•   20mph means fewer crashes

•   on average 20mph creates 20% fewer casualties

•   traffic flows smoothly & at a constant speed

•   smooth traffic is more efficient & cuts congestion

•   Bristol found walking & cycling increased by 20% & for every

  £1 spent implementing 20mph £24 was saved in health costs

•   exercise lowers obesity, heart disease and stress

•   20mph saves 12% of fuel reducing costs & emissions

•   travel times are only effected by 2 minutes of less

•   noise pollution is reduced by 40%

•   light touch policing can enforce 20mph limits

“It’s hard to find anyone living in a 20mph street who wants it back at 30mph”

for further information visit www.20splentyforus.org.uk

20MPH E-PETITION

THE 20MPH E-PETITION IS NOW LIVE, PLEASE FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW

I am pleased to say that paper petitions are filling up fast for 20mph speed limits in Oswestry. The campaign is even spreading further afield in Shropshire and other areas of the UK as interest grows, including Shrewsbury. To be eligible to sign you need to live or work in the area, if you can't get to one of the petition venues please sign the e-petition before 30th April 2013.

 '20mph speed limits in Oswestry' e-petition available to sign;

http://petitions.shropshire.gov.uk/consult.ti/system/viewPetition?petitionid=6538

please only sign the e-petition if you are not signing a paper petition to avoid duplication.

Sign a paper petition for Oswestry;

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

Sign a paper petition for Shrewsbury;

available at - Stans Cycles.

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.Simply request via email; 

peacecycling@btinternet.com 

Helping to make our roads "Safer For Cyclists = Safer For All"

ROAD SAFETY DRIVING TEST E-PETITION

Over 9,000 have already signed this e-petition for cycle awareness in driving tests

• The driving theory test currently only has 'optional' cycling awareness questions

• The practical driving test currently has 'no' specific focus on cyclists

British Cycling supports the motoring organisations call for harder tests including making cycle awareness a core part of driver training with emphasis on how much space a cyclist needs and how to overtake a cyclist safely.

You can make this change happen with a few clicks and help stop people being needlessly killed or injured on our roads... 

 http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/44059

Petition open to sign until 08/01/2014

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"

Velodrome & Watch This Space...

Tonight see's me taking my trauma therapy to a new level after my cycling RTC. 

I'm off to the Velodrome ?!? Scared - Lots of bikes and unexpected noises - YES! 

Hoping it goes well and brings me one step closer to recovery... wish me luck!

Manchester Velodrome (C) S-C Peace

2013 will be bringing more campaigns and support for existing ones, keep checking this blog to see what you can do to make our roads "safer for cyclists and safer all".

Next week will see the launch of; How you can campaign for '20's Plenty' where you live. Followed swiftly by the creation of a 'Rural Cyclists Wishlist'. 'Ride of Silence' is looking likely for May too.

You can start emailing me direct - peace cycling@btinternet.com - with your comments and suggestions for making a 'Rural Cyclists Wishlist' helping cyclists feel safer on our roads. I will be focusing on Shropshire, but there's nothing stopping you from following my lead and campaigning where you live. I look forward to hearing from you.

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 

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!

LOCAL MP CORRESPONDENCE

Even from the moment I hit the tarmac I knew I didn't want this unfortunate incident to be for nothing. As soon as I was able I started campaigning;

"Safer Roads for Cyclists = Safer Roads for All" 

 

Even from my hospital bed during my more lucid moments I found this campaigning almost therapeutic as a side effect of being useful it helped focus my mind forwards away from the terrible  trauma my body and mind had been subjected to.

I have already successfully campaigned to raise awareness and encourage participation in the British Cycling Campaign to 'Get Involved' with the Early Day Motion (EDM407) Justice review. This EDM saw a greater public interest than has been known before and Parliament agreed to meet with British Cycling to discuss matters further despite previous requests not being accepted. This was a great step forward and I am proud to have played my part in getting friends, family and distant acquaintances to contact their local MPs UK wide.

Further more my local MP replied to my letter for the Justice Review EDM407 stating that I would be getting a response from the Secretary of State for Health in light of my RTC...watch this space, I remain hopeful that I have made a strong impact.