----- Original Message -----

From: Roy Spilsbury

To: ctc-cymru-committee@... ; CTC-RTR@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Monday, October 22, 2007 3:52 PM

Subject: Fw: [CTC-RTR] Obesogenics

Just received an indication from the INDEPENDENT that the letter below is likely to see the light of day

 

Roy

CTC RTR Denbighshire/Conwy

----- Original Message -----

From: Roy Spilsbury

To: Independent

Sent: Friday, October 19, 2007 11:02 AM

Subject: [CTC-RTR] Obesogenics

Editor

The Independent

 

Madam/Sir

 

Obesogenics - now we have a word for it.  Too much eating.  Too little exercise.  Society celebrates the first.  And makes it ever more difficult to perform the second - other than as spectators.

 

On a frosty Sunday morning in January 06, twelve members of the Rhyl Cycling Club set off from their homes on a sixty mile cycle ride.  There were three generations - grandparents, parents and children.   All getting a 'high' no illegal drug could ever compete with - and without the aid of a motor vehicle.   Surely an activity any civilized society should be backing to the hilt. 

 

We now know what happened.  Four cyclists died, including a youngster - struck by a car travelling too fast on ice.   Messages of sympathy and platitudes arrived from wide and far. 

 

Would there have been this publicity if it had just been a solitary cyclist?  Definitely not.  And would a satisfactory acceptance of responsibility have been reached, had it not been for the gritty determination of Coroner John Hughes, to tolerate no back sliding or prevarication.  Very doubtful.  The teflon suits were out in force.  Society had all the excuses ready for them.

 

By all accounts a financial settlement for the families has now been reached.  But without the attention of the media and the coroner?  Unlikely.  The families had the prospect of years of litigation ahead of them.   What is regrettable is that the coroner was not invited to urge the government to revisit the principle of liability in the event of a collision between an an equestrian, pedestrian, or cyclist; thus placing the burden of responsibility on the driver, rather than the vulnerable party. 

 

Leading European countries have adopted the principle of 'No Blame Driver Liability' -  shifting the burden of proof onto the shoulders of the party likely to cause most damage - the motorist; thereby rebalancing the dynamics of shared space, making it safer for all.  Together with reducing the speed limit to 20mph in urban areas, these two changes in the law would do much to encourage and protect the likes of Rhyl CC.   Instead of being marginalised and vilified, cycling demands to be placed at the top of the country's transport priorities, if our society is to avoid suffocation under a mountain of human blubber.

 

 

Roy Spilsbury

2, Lark Hill,

Fernbrook Road,

Penmaenmawr,

LL34 6EG

01492 623 293