Tag Archives: press

In the News

ITV4 Cycle Show interviews co-founder

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Donnachadh McCarthy, co-founder of Stop Killing Cyclists, was interviewed on ITV's The Cycle Show.
Donnachadh McCarthy, co-founder of Stop Killing Cyclists, was interviewed on ITV’s The Cycle Show.

The popular ITV4 ‘Cycle Show’ included a segment on cycling safety in their programme that went out this week, on Thursday 16 July 2015.

The segment started with an introduction to issues faced by people who have chosen to cycle, including HGV dangers. That was followed by an interview in the studio between the host and Dr.Rachel Aldred, a senior lecturer in transport at Westminster University, and Donnachadh McCarthy, co-founder of Stop Killing Cyclists.

Donnachadh stated,

Cyclists are just [like] the canary in the mineshaft: around 12 to 16 cyclists get killed a year in London, which is terrible, but 100 pedestrians and what is really shocking is that around 3500 die from inactivity diseases because they are afraid of cycling. So we see ourselves as a campaign to stop killing everybody.

He continued,

So what we need is to invest money. The Dutch have invested something like £28 a year per person for nearly 40 years; we’re investing around £2. That is damaging our health and our economy.

You can watch the program on ITV4 player or on YouTube.

In the News

Referral of MET Police to Independent Police Complaints Commission called for by Stop Killing Cyclists

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Yesterday, the MET Police issued a correction to a press release they released on the day of the vigil for Michael Mason, who was struck by a person driving a car whilst he was cycling on Regent Street in February 2014.

Nicola Branch from Stop Killing Cyclists says:

Stop Killing Cyclists are horrified to learn of the awful treatment of the family of Mick Mason by the Met Police and we would recommend referral to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

To have been informed by a Press Release that that police would refer the case to the DPP [Director of Public Prosecutions], which although a bizarre and unconventional way of finding out, was a massive lift to the family, and now to have that hope whipped away from them equally through a Press Release, is an absolute disgrace.

The Met need to look very carefully how they deal with the family of a victim. They must be accountable for their actions.

Last Friday, 13 March 2015, Stop Killing Cyclists along with Cyclist’s Defence Fund held a vigil and die-in to remember Michael Mason who was killed in a crash on Regent Street a year earlier.

Earlier on that day, the MET police stated in a press release that they had reacted to the family’s call for the case to be referred to the crown prosecution service. They stated: “The [Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards] DPS supported the Detective Inspector’s original decision, but have referred the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions.”

On budget day, the MET issued a correction to the press and media organisations before notifying the family or their solicitor:

CORRECTION: We have previously stated that the below matter was referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions. This is incorrect. No referral has been made.

Several members of Stop Killing Cyclists have written to their MPs to express their anger at the way the MET Police have handled the situation.

Nic Fripp wrote to his MP and stated in part:

I’m writing about the appalling miscarriage of justice that continues to unfold over the killing, just over a year ago, of Michael Mason.

Can you and your colleagues bring any pressure to bear on the Metropolitain Police to desist from this farrago of incompetence and stupidity? As the old proverb has it, one should never attribute to malice what can be explained by stupidity, but in this case…

Another member, Andrew Reeves-Hall wrote this to his MP:

It disgusts me how MET police have acted recently in this tragic case, let alone how they failed to act initially. Is there any pressure you can apply to get to bottom of their poorly timed press briefings, shocking behaviour to family (they learned of this through media) and failure to refer the case to CPS?

Reaction by other members can be found on the Stop Killing Cyclists Facebook discussion group HERE.

Statements from other organisations can be found in these articles:

In the News

Cycle Superhighways’ benefits for business debated on TV

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TfL in discussion over £17m ‘cycle superhighway’ - London Live screenshot of Donnachadh
‘Wake Up London’ interviewed Donnachadh McCarthy this morning. Click image to watch a clip from LondonLive.

Donnachadh McCarthy, co-founder of Stop Killing Cyclists, made the business case for supporting London’s Cycle Superhighways on ‘Wake Up London’ at LondonLive breakfast TV this morning. He cycled to the studio.

Today, Transport for London (TfL) is anticipated to give gave the go-ahead to build safe, segregated/protected cycle lanes across a route in central London. Continue reading Cycle Superhighways’ benefits for business debated on TV →

Protests

Elephant & Castle Die-In - Media Coverage

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Stop Killing Cyclists hold their third die-in at Elephant & Castle outside the Strata building (photo by Sean O'Sullivan)
Stop Killing Cyclists hold their third die-in at Elephant & Castle outside the Strata building (photo by Sean O’Sullivan)

Elephant & Castle Draw-In and Die-In

Thank yous

Follow-Up

Event Listing: On website and On Facebook

Media Coverage - Before the Event

Media Coverage - After the Event

TV Reports and Interviews

Speeches

Pictures

 

Short-cut to this page:

http://StopKillingCyclists.org/ElephantCoverage

Follow-Up

5 June 2014: Elephant & Castle Emergency Cycling Safety Proposals Revealed

Media Coverage - Before the Event

Media Coverage - After the Event

TV Reports and Interviews

London Live (22 May 2014)

ITV News (21 May 2014, 6pm newscast)

 

ITV News (17 May 2014, am): Interview of widow of person killed

BBC London News (14 May 2014): Bart Chan interview with Tom Edwards

ITV News (14 May 2014, 6pm): Interview of Donnachadh McCarthy at E&C

London Live (14 May 2014, 7am): Interview of Donnachadh McCarthy at E&C

Speeches

GardenVisit.com (Tom Turner): Elephant and Castle protest demo - Space for Cycling London 21 May 2014

Pictures

Demotix…

Tim Hoy-Griffiths…

Andrew Reeves-Hall…

Press Releases

Press Release - ACPO and Responsible Pavement Cycling

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SkC Press Release


17th January 2014

ACPO sends Minister’s Endorsement of Responsible Pavement Cycling by Vulnerable Cyclists if Roads are Too Dangerous, to all Local Police Forces.

The cycling campaign group Stop Killing Cyclists today welcomed ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) sending the newly re-issued Ministerial Guidance on Pavement Cycling by the Minister for Cycling Robert Goodwill, to all local police forces, following yesterday’s request by Stop Killing Cyclists that they do so.

ACPO’s National Policing Lead for Cycling Assistant Chief Constable Mark Milsom said: “We welcome the re-issued guidance from the Minister for Cycling in respect of cycling on the pavement and have re-circulated this to all local forces. “1


The original Ministerial Guidance issued by Paul Boateng stated:

“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.

“Chief police officers, who are responsible for enforcement, acknowledge that many cyclists, particularly children and young people, are afraid to cycle on the road, sensitivity and careful use of police discretion is required.”

Stop Killing Cyclists believe this is exactly the right approach to take.

Cyclists should be fined for riding on the pavement if they are dangerous or in any way disrespectful to those on foot. Similarly, police should penalise red-light jumpers if they are irresponsible and put other road users at risk.

Yesterday we wrote to the President of ACPO, Sir Hugh Orde to support the re-issued ministerial guidance in how they apply the law on pavement cycling.


A Stop Killing Cyclists spokesperson today said:

“We are delighted that ACPO have acted so speedily in circulating the newly re-issued guidance on pavement cycling to all local police forces.

Implemented properly this advice will save the lives of vulnerable road-users at dangerous junctions, until such time as safe cycling infrastructure is installed.”

The Metropolitan Police Operation Safeway as currently operated is, in our opinion, endangering lives as it forces responsible cyclists off empty pavements and back into the path of lethal HGVs and busy traffic.

Stop Killing Cyclists Spokesperson Donnachadh McCarthy added :
“Fining vulnerable cyclists for cycling responsibly on the pavement at extremely dangerous junctions like Vauxhall Cross, is a bedroom tax on two-wheels as there is no safe alternative for them to cycle on.”

 

Ends.

 

Attachments: Letter from Minister for Cycling to Stop Killing Cyclists

Letter from Stop Killing Cyclist to ACPO President Sir Hugh Orde

 

Notes to editors:

Note 1 : http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/road-and-rail-transport/10577958/Let-cyclists-go-on-pavements-if-roads-are-dangerous-minister-tells-police.html

Stop Killing Cyclists is the direct-action protest group set up after the recent spate of 6 cyclist killings in London.

They arranged the mass Die-In at TfL HQ where 1,500 cyclists lay down in the road in protest at lack of safety investment in London.

Operation Safeway penalised cyclists at a rate 35 times higher than their comparable mileage and numbers deserves when compared to motorised vehicles.

A recent action by the police found over 70% of trucks to be in a dangerous condition.

The Metropolitan Police should be targeting substantial resources to reducing the number of illegally dangerous trucks on our streets to below 1%, instead of penalising cyclists disproportionately.

The APCO media release is HERE.

 

Press Releases

Press Release - Minister Endorses Responsible Pavement Cycling by Vulnerable Cyclists if Roads are Too Dangerous

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SkC Press Release15th January 2014

Minister Endorses Responsible Pavement Cycling by Vulnerable Cyclists if Roads are Too Dangerous

The Cycling Campaign group Stop Killing Cyclists today welcomed the re-issuing of Ministerial Guidance on Pavement Cycling by the Minister for Cycling Robert Goodwill MP, in response to representations made by the campaign to the Minister for Transport.

The original Ministerial Guidance issued by Paul Boateng stated:

“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.

“Chief police officers, who are responsible for enforcement, acknowledge that many cyclists, particularly children and young people, are afraid to cycle on the road, sensitivity and careful use of police discretion is required.”

Stop Killing Cyclists believe this is exactly the right approach to take.

Cyclists should be fined for riding on the pavement if they are dangerous or in any way disrespectful to those on foot. Similarly, police should penalise red-light jumpers if they are irresponsible and put other road users at risk.

We have today called on the President of ACPO, Sir Hugh Orde to support the re-issued ministerial guidance in how they apply the law on pavement cycling.

The Metropolitan Police Operation Safeway as currently operated is in our opinion endangering lives as it forces responsible cyclists off empty pavements and back into the path of lethal HGVs.

Stop Killing Cyclists Spokesperson Donnachadh McCarthy stated

“Fining vulnerable cyclists for cycling responsibly on the pavement at extremely dangerous junctions like Vauxhall Cross, is a bedroom tax on two-wheels as there is no safe alternative for them to cycle on.”

We also object to its disproportionate targeting of cyclists, which has seen cyclists penalised at a rate 35 times higher than their comparable mileage and numbers deserves when compared to motorised vehicles.
A recent action by the police found over 70% of trucks to be in a dangerous condition.

The Metropolitan Police should be targeting substantial resources to reducing the number of illegally dangerous trucks on our streets to below 1%, instead of penalising cyclists disproportionately.

Stop Killing Cyclists is calling for an urgent meeting with the Metropolitan Police Commissioner to discuss policing of cyclists in the capital.

Ends.

Attachments:

Note to editors:

Stop Killing Cyclists is the direct action protest group set up after the recent spate of cyclist killings in London. They arranged the mass Die-In at TfL HQ where 1,500 cyclists lay down in the road in protest at lack of safety investment in London.