CTC, BC or LCC

[Crankarm]

What? I'm not sure what your understanding of the "Safety in Numbers" campaign is but it is nothing to do with "huge packs of cyclists". It's about recognising and highlighting the fact that the greater the number of cyclists on the roads, the safer it becomes. There is the clear evidence that has arisen from just about every cycling study carried out world wide. For example, London has seen a 91% increase in cycling since 2000 and a 33% fall in cycle casualties.

The thrust of the Safety in Numbers campaign is an increase in the number of cyclists means:

• Drivers are more aware of cyclists
• Drivers are more likely to be cyclists themselves
• There is greater political will to improve cycling conditions

CTC is busy campaigning on these issues. Perhaps you should have a read of the CTC's New Vision for Cycling, of which the Safety in Numbers campaign is a small part.




The membership services system is something I and other people are working hard on at the moment. It isn't perfect (but neither is LCC's or BC's and they don't have anywhere near the same number of members) but it will be getting better.

I know how frustrating CTC membership services can be - they haven't got my renewal right in the last five years.



CTC uses 0844 numbers because it has geographically diverse sections. The 0844 rate set by CTC means that you pay no more than a local rate call (i.e. it is the equivalent of using an 0845 number). CTC doesn't have any 0870 numbers.



LCC is very good (I'm a member) but it is limited in its scope and, to be perfectly blunt, is floundering around a bit at the moment trying to decide what is actually there for.

Well as a consumer I have made my choice. I stand by my opinion of the CTC. Having been a member of CTC from the mid 90s to the early naughties I found them beaurocratic and indifferent to their members. The magazine became very moribund save for Chris Juden's techical articles.

I am not sad I left I am more than happy with the current cycling organisations I subscribe to. CTC needs to get it's act together. Is it so arrogant and complacent that it can't even renew existing members subscriptions smoothly? If this is still going on then some heads need to roll. When I was a member they very definitely used 0870 numbers as I complained to the guy at the top and got a stock fob off arrogant letter in response and a CTC water bottle for 3 years of membership cock up renewals. They even mucked up the family membership of a friend I enrolled as a gift. They certainly used up my good will. So I took my membership elsewhere. CTC's loss, my gain .

What makes you think the LCC is floundering around? It certainly isn't, but you would say this being a CTC official. A vested interest you might say.

 

[Hilldodger]

It also needs to support local organisation better and not come across as "We're the CTC and we have all the answers attitude".

They also need to LISTEN to people who have MUCH more experience on certain issues. Special needs is a classic example.

 

[dellzeqq]

Not at grass roots level they don't.

Yes they do. Next?

 

[theclaud]

Well as a consumer...

Tells you all you need to know really...

 

[dellzeqq]

Yes the CTC tried a hostile take over of the LCC a few years ago. Thankfully members of the LCC voted against it .

A good number of LCC members saw this as a way out of their then problems. It was their idea. It would have been a shame had it happened.

The assertion that the CTC tried to take over the LCC against the LCC member's wishes is just bonkers.

 

[Hilldodger]

I agree entirely. Perhaps you could stand for Council and do your bit?

I already run a successful and expanding cycling charity, thanks.

 

[dellzeqq]

What makes you think the LCC is floundering around? It certainly isn't, but you would say this being a CTC official. A vested interest you might say.

That's pathetic, Crankarm. User is a member of the LCC, he's not an official of the CTC, he's a volunteer, and a member of the National Council (and, I think I'm right in saying that I recruited him, for which I give myself three pats on the back and a gold star). He has no desire to do down the LCC.

The fact is that LCN+ has been superseded by events. The LCC has got to think of something new. And, as some people within the LCC are frank enough to admit, having persuaded the powers that be to lavish £140million on LCN+ only to find that it's hardly ever used, means that they've got to go in for a bit of soul-searching.

 

[Hilldodger]

Yes they do. Next?

You need to take your blinkers off - so many times at events we do all over the country we hear the same. "I've never heard of the CTC. Do they have a stand here?"

"No" is the usual answer.

 

[Crankarm]

Tells you all you need to know really...

Oh oh! Alert, alert.........incoming .

 

[Hilldodger]

Ah - so you feel happy to whinge about CTC but you're not willing to put your money where your mouth is and try to change things, eh?

I work seven f*ucking days a week helping get people into cycling. How much more should I f**king do?

 

[dellzeqq]

You need to take your blinkers off - so many times at events we do all over the country we hear the same. "I've never heard of the CTC. Do they have a stand here?"

"No" is the usual answer.

All I can tell you is that in London the LCC and the CTC mesh together at all levels from rides leaders up to transport strategy. Next?

 

[Hilldodger]

All I can tell you is that in London the LCC and the CTC mesh together at all levels from rides leaders up to transport strategy. Next?

That's strange because a lot of our events are in London.

 

[Crankarm]

Ah - so you feel happy to whinge about CTC but you're not willing to put your money where your mouth is and try to change things, eh?

I'm sure he's not. I'm certainly not prepared to do so either.

 

[theclaud]

Oh oh! Alert, alert.........incoming .

Meaning? I merely point out that if you see your relationship with a members' organisation in the same way as your relationship with Tesco, then you probably have a different idea of 'value'.

 

[Hilldodger]

I went to a series of meeting with CTC management over a project they proposed. One of the meetings was at HQ to which I went at my own expense. That was last year. We have heard nothing since.

When we did do some work for a Cycling Champion it took months to get paid.

So forgive me if I'm a bit cycnical when it comes to the way the CTC is run.