Having problems with message search?
In this vein, there is a significant debate going on in the three Chester papers about cycling - partly about the successful demo town bid, partly about cyclists in pavements fuelled by a recent court case against a cycle-thug that was dropped due to the inability of a Police Officer to give evidence (heart attack).
It would be good if cyclists could add to the correspondence, but please, please follow the following rules:
Don't attack motorists - this is counter productive, and paints cyclists as negative, and cycling as a fringe activity - anyway, most cyclists drive too.
Do emphasise that cycling adds to economic activity particularly in Chester City Centre, and improves quality of life in a whole host of ways.
Do say that cyclists don't generally want to be on pavements, and we don't condone dangerous or boorish behaviour from cyclists any more than we do from car drivers.
And have fun!
Peter Black
To: CTC-RTR@yahoogroups.com
CC: cyclomania@yahoogroups.com
From: roy.spilsbury@...
Date: Mon, 7 Jul 2008 09:59:40 +0100
Subject: [cyclomania] The importance of responding to letters in the press
Get Messenger on your Mobile! Get it now!
It would be good if cyclists could add to the correspondence, but please, please follow the following rules:
Don't attack motorists - this is counter productive, and paints cyclists as negative, and cycling as a fringe activity - anyway, most cyclists drive too.
Do emphasise that cycling adds to economic activity particularly in Chester City Centre, and improves quality of life in a whole host of ways.
Do say that cyclists don't generally want to be on pavements, and we don't condone dangerous or boorish behaviour from cyclists any more than we do from car drivers.
And have fun!
Peter Black
To: CTC-RTR@yahoogroups.com
CC: cyclomania@yahoogroups.com
From: roy.spilsbury@...
Date: Mon, 7 Jul 2008 09:59:40 +0100
Subject: [cyclomania] The importance of responding to letters in the press
It is important to respond to letters in the press unfairly attacking cyclists. If balanced and well articulated, they can do much to inform and guide public opinion.
Here is a pleasing example of a robust response to an outrageous letter by an Evelyn Campbell Smith. She accused four veteran cyclists of delaying traffic by riding side by side. There is no mention of inordinate delay having taken place. Ms Smith drew level and bawled at the cyclists through her passenger window, whereupon one of the 'thugs' banged on the side of her car.
Note the letters in the RH side panel. There are valuable road safety 'scoring points' here. Heartening to see a response from a Birkenhead North End Club member included This club has good reason to react to dangerous driving. . See http://www.cyclingnorthwales.co.uk/pages/birknhd.htm
Roy
CTC RTR Denbighshire/Conwy
Get Messenger on your Mobile! Get it now!
Offline 
Send Email