Join me in an emailing & letters campaign

[downfader]

Those of you who talk to me through twitter will know that this morning I received news about a friend of the family who was hospitalised whilst cycling. The guy is always lit up like a christmas tree at this time of year or when its dark and is a conscientious rider, the driver admitted "I didn't look" at the scene where he pulled put.

I would like to seriously attempt to make the roads safer. I often correspond with the local newspapers, writing to their letters page - even once or twice making article suggestions. I have written to a few newspapers this afternoon highlighting my concerns..

..it would be wonderful if others here could help. All you have to do is send in correspondence to the letters pages of newspapers. Even if its JUST one, it will help highlight that we need a change of attitudes on the road. Tell them your experiences.

If you want to go further write to your council, MP, etc.

Cheers!

 

[Arfcollins]

Those of you who talk to me through twitter will know that this morning I received news about a friend of the family who was hospitalised whilst cycling. The guy is always lit up like a christmas tree at this time of year or when its dark and is a conscientious rider, the driver admitted "I didn't look" at the scene where he pulled put.

I would like to seriously attempt to make the roads safer. I often correspond with the local newspapers, writing to their letters page - even once or twice making article suggestions. I have written to a few newspapers this afternoon highlighting my concerns..

..it would be wonderful if others here could help. All you have to do is send in correspondence to the letters pages of newspapers. Even if its JUST one, it will help highlight that we need a change of attitudes on the road. Tell them your experiences.

If you want to go further write to your council, MP, etc.

Cheers!

I'm up for that DF. I was growling at the Portsmouth local paper tonight where an article headed 'Rider Injured' starts with 'A cyclist collided with a van in Portsmouth'. There is nearly always this insidious form of bias against cyclists, with the suggestion that the innocent (maybe even stationary!) van suffered being run into by a cyclist. I'm sure that even these low-level attacks in print have an impact on the general population's attitude to cyclists. I had thought about writing to the editor to suggest a more even-handed approach by reporters, now I will.

 

[downfader]

I'm up for that DF. I was growling at the Portsmouth local paper tonight where an article headed 'Rider Injured' starts with 'A cyclist collided with a van in Portsmouth'. There is nearly always this insidious form of bias against cyclists, with the suggestion that the innocent (maybe even stationary!) van suffered being run into by a cyclist. I'm sure that even these low-level attacks in print have an impact on the general population's attitude to cyclists. I had thought about writing to the editor to suggest a more even-handed approach by reporters, now I will.

Thanks!

So far I have managed to email 2 newspapers, will do more tonight.

In total however I have had many emails and letters published (at least one a month each in 3 local papers, and about 10 in the nationals this year). I will compose one to The Guardian tonight in light of the Xmas Vigil and how its seen outside London.

 

[Matthew_T]

I would love to do this but unfortunately I have recently contacted my local paper and got a story published.

It was more about my camera than me, but it did highlight the fact that I incure a lot of bad driving.

I believe the story is in the Cyclechat Cafe. You might have to go through a few pages though (titled: I am going to be in the paper).

 

[downfader]

I would love to do this but unfortunately I have recently contacted my local paper and got a story published.

It was more about my camera than me, but it did highlight the fact that I incure a lot of bad driving.

I believe the story is in the Cyclechat Cafe. You might have to go through a few pages though (titled: I am going to be in the paper).

Good stuff!

 

[Arfcollins]

Hi DF, there was a good letter in the Portsmouth News yesterday re road safety, from a gentleman in Southampton. Was this one of yours?

 

[downfader]

Hi DF, there was a good letter in the Portsmouth News yesterday re road safety, from a gentleman in Southampton. Was this one of yours?

Possibly. Was it by "DJ Cook"? If so it was me. He sometimes rides out to Pompey for his job so I thought it important to cc them in. I also wrote to several of the local and national papers but as far as I'm aware only one Hants paper has published. 4 of the 9 or so papers got the same letter, I was honest about this as I felt it pointless to rewrite.

Taking a short break from writing letters now. Other stuff has come up (like my puter nearly going nuts on me the other day - turned out I filled the HD, oops! First time I've forgotten to back up in an age)

 

[Arfcollins]

Possibly. Was it by "DJ Cook"? If so it was me.

It was indeed. I'll keep an eye out for any responses and keep you posted.

 

[lukesdad]

I hope your friend wasnt to seriously hurt, and makes a speedy recovery. There has recently been a fair bit of recent activity along these lines in our evening post.