Category Archives: Miscellaneous

The people killed in 2013 whilst riding their bicycles

Over 100 people died in 2013 whilst out for a ride on their bicycle.
Over 100 people died in 2013 whilst out for a ride on their bicycles.

A list prepared by ‘LoveloBicycles‘ on the blog ‘ICycleLiverpool’ shows the people that were killed in 2013 whilst riding their bicycles:

Some of the people killed have their stories - including court case rulings - highlighted in the website’s ‘The Departed’ category:

Image of an interactive map that shows the people who died whilst riding their bicycles (1985-2013)
Image of an interactive map that shows the people who died whilst riding their bicycles (1985-2013)

The same author also created an interactive Google Map which shows you the location of crashes between 1985 and 2013 (info on its data sources is HERE):

If you find yourself in the unfortunate position of having been hit whilst cycling, then there is this checklist card (pdf) to help:

 

The momentum behind Stop Killing Cyclists is astonishing!!

Donnachadh writes…

The momentum behind Stop Killing Cyclists is astonishing!!

Big thanks for all the pressure for a safer cycling environment you guys are helping to create!

Just been thinking about what we collectively have done just this week:

Amazing what this grassroots group is doing with no money and no professional staff !!!

Many thanks to everybody who helped in any way

Yes We Are! 

Donnachadh & Steve


Read about our other accomplishments in January 2014 HERE.

Looking back at January

Amazing - Grassroot Actions Rock !!

January was Stop Killing Cyclists’ second full month in existence.

Just look at the amazing list of actions you guys have helped deliver in just one month!! Whew - its been a whirlwind, rewarding and exciting month for cycling/pedestrian safety.

With NO money and with NO professional organisation!!

Whilst there is lots lots more to do over the coming months as we work towards our goal of safer streets for all - and the more members of Stop Killing Cyclists pitch in, the more we can achieve, I think we all ought to take a bow today!!

Thank you everyone who has helped so far.

Yes We Can!!

Donnachadh & Icame Isawi Steve
Co-founder Stop Killing Cyclists

January 2014 Stop Killing Cyclists Actions

1. Launched successful Subvertisement Internet Blitz Campaign which went round the world – where members creatively virtually graffitti’d Transport for London posters with safety campaign slogans. Inspired by Tom Kearney and Castel Burke.

2. Had top-level meeting with Transport for London’s Managing Director Leon Daniels and the London Mayor’s Cycling Commissioner Andrew Gilligan to discuss Stop Killing Cyclists Demands. Attended by Steve Routley, Betty Sabha, Will Nickell, Donnachadh McCarthy and Tom Kearney. Briefing paper by David Hicks.

3. Successfully got Department of Transport to re-issue Ministerial Guidance on responsible pavement cycling.

4. Successfully persuaded Association of Chief Police Officers to issue the renewed Ministerial Guidance on pavement cycling to all local police forces.

5. Made formal submission to TfL consultation on dreadful proposals for Tower Bridge Road junction.

6. Will Nickell launched a massive research FOI project into the performance of all the 32 London Borough’s which are responsible for 95% of London’s roads.

7. Made formal submission to London Council’s consultation on lorry safety equipment for cyclists – urging them to require full complement of safety equipment. Initiated by David Robjant and Fred Smith.

8. Held members meeting to discuss Stop The Killing Coalition and agreed national event in November to highlight Traffic Violence.

9. Agreed formal letter requesting Times to change terrible misleading headline about a non-existent “army of walking wounded” created by cycling when in fact there is such a tragic army created by motorists. Many individual members likewise submitted objections.

10. Wrote to ASA objecting to decision to censor Cycling Scotland’s cycling safety advert which sought to ban all portrayals of people cycling in correct lane position or without helmets.

11. Successfully requested meeting with senior officers at Metropolitan Police for meeting to discuss policing of cycling in London.

12. One of our major demands which the Mayor’s Office two months ago in response to our TfL Die-In demonstration was “wacky” and said was impossible is now to be half-implemented – ban on blindly-driven trucks in London without certain safety equipment is now to be introduced.

13. Member Fred Smith submitted a response to Westminster Council’s cycling consultation.

14. Organised Deputation to call for urgent improvement in Southwark Council’s woeful record on cycling investment/safety to Southwark Council’s Full Assembly. Deputation included Jane Dent, Freddy Escobar, John Garthwaite Donnachadh McCarthy, Abby Taubin.

15. Steve Routley is preparing designs for launch of the Stop The Killing National Event in November for a Facebook launch next week.

16. A number of the above events got considerable media coverage in the local, national and specialist press.

17. We broke through our 1,700 member milestone today!!

18. Successfully persuaded TfL to include provision for cycling in Crossrail study of potential pedestrianisation of Oxford Street.

19. Got agreement of Cycling Commissioner to request Mayor to appoint cycling/pedestrian reps to TfL Board.

20. Sent out invites to 8th February Stop Killing Cyclists “Cycle Planning Disasters Tour”.

21. Steve Routley designed our great new logo.

22. Andrew Reeves-Hall ran our really useful Website (this one 🙂 )and press-release uploads.

23. Etc etc etc - apologies for volunteer names and actions I may have left out - let me know if I have !!

But most importantly thanks to all the un-named volunteers and supporters and Stop Killing Cyclists members without whose help none of the above could have happened.!!

We now have a YouTube channel!

With thanks to Paul Brocklehurst we now have our very own YouTube channel - and a Google+ account too!

Please be sure to hit the subscribe button there (and ‘like’ our videos)!

The first two uploads are interviews with the co-founders of Stop Killing Cyclists…

ITV London with Donnachadh McCarthy:

NuSound Radio with Steve Routley:

Cycling Minister reaffirms guidance to police regarding pavement cycling

Donnachadh McCarthy writes…

Robert Goodwill Minister for Cycling Letter (pdf)
Click on the thumbnail to read the letter from Robert Goodwill MP, the Minister for Cycling (pdf, dated 9 January 2014)

Wow - some positives from the meeting with the Lib Dem Minister of State (Department for Transport) Baroness Susan Kramer - see article about that by clicking HERE.

I have received a letter from Robert Goodwill, who is the Tory “Minister” for cycling (aka Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport).

(UPDATE:  click for PRESS RELEASE and LETTER TO POLICE; or to see the MEDIA COVERAGE including the ACPO police response)

Whilst the letter covers only a few of the cycling safety issues I raised with Susan, it does cover my request for ministerial clarification on the guidance for implementation of the fixed penalty fines for pavement cycling.

This follows my being told by Operation Safeway police that they had been instructed by their senior officers to ignore the guidance and to implement the letter of the law instead.

The GOOD news is the minister re-endorsed the original guidance by the Minister who introduced the fines, Paul Boateng which was :

“‘The introduction of the fixed penalty is not aimed at responsible cyclists who sometimes feel obliged to use the pavement out of fear of the traffic, and who show consideration to other pavement users when doing so. Chief police officers, who are responsible for enforcement, acknowledge that many cyclists, particularly children and young people, are afraid to cycle in the road… sensitivity and careful use of police discretion is required “

This was one of the issues the Vauxhall Cross Demo was addressing.

He also gives a potential positive to our suggestion that the DfT should be monitoring what local councils are doing on cycling, so that the data can be examined and compared and badly performing councils identified and held to account.

I have attached the letter (click on the thumbnail to see the pdf copy).

Yes We Can!

thanks
Donnachadh