From: newsnet@CTCnews.org.uk

Sent: 12 March 2010 15:43

To: timmyers@tiscali.co.uk

Subject: CTC Newsletter

If you can not see this email clearly please click here to view online at the newsnet archive

IN THIS ISSUE OF NEWSNET ^ Action on cycle safety in London | ^ Will your MP support Smarter Choices? | ^ CTC is recruiting | ^ Want to tie the knot in 2010? | ^ Member benefit: CS Healthcare
Dear Tim
	Action on cycle safety in London Remember the moon-walking bear? Well, there’s a new video called The Bank Job out from Transport for London to mark the launch of the Mayor of London and Transport for London’s new Cycle Safety Action Plan. The plan aims to reduce the risks of cycling whilst increasing cycling levels and improving the perception of cycling. CTC’s Campaigns and Policy team have looked at the plan and have put together a detailed response. Tragically, the launch also coincides with two cyclist fatalities in London this week.
	Helmet legislation in Jersey This week, legislators in Jersey passed a motion calling for legislation to make helmets mandatory for people under the age of 18, despite a report from civil servants on the island against the proposal. A similar motion for adults failed by one vote. CTC member and Deputy in the States of Jersey, Daniel Wimberley, who spoke against the motion, said: “The debate ran on emotion, and ignored the evidence more or less completely…if this helmet law for children eventually comes in, there will be, sadly, fewer cyclists and therefore more accidents per cyclist.” Daniel will continue the campaign against the proposals. CTC strongly opposes mandatory helmet legislation.
	MI5 feared that Nazis used cycle tourists as ‘spyclists’ Cycle tourists have been in the national media this week – after newly declassified British intelligence files revealed fears in 1937 that Hitler Youth cyclists touring Britain might have been ‘spyclists’. The MI5 file includes information on the suspected spies’ visit to Spalding Rotary club, where they enjoyed a 'sausage and mashed potato supper'. The concerns appear to be the result of an article appearing in the ‘Daily Herald’ on May 24, 1937, headlined ‘Nazis must be spyclists’.
	Will your MP support Smarter Choices? Please write to your MP and ask them to sign Early Day Motion (EDM) 794 in support of a national programme of Smarter Choices. Pilot programmes in Worcester, Peterborough and Darlington have all managed reductions in car driving and increases in cycling – now we want to see this rolled out further. You can do this in 2 minutes on CTC’s website, but note that usually only backbench MPs sign EDMs and over a hundred have already done so. Also don’t forget to contact all your prospective parliamentary candidates and get them the sign up to the Vote Bike manifesto.
	Devon gets dirty The annual Devon Dirt off-road ride organised by CTC Devon takes place this year on Sunday 25 April, and registration is open now. The event, which is a 65km non-competitive ride with off-road sections linked by quiet and hilly lanes, leaves from Newton Abbot Recreational Trust at 9.30am. You can download a route sheet, info sheet and registration form from the Devon Dirt website, or join the Facebook group.
	Google goes cycling – in the US This week, Google has launched its bike route feature on Google Maps covering 150 cities in the United States, including New York, San Francisco and Portland. The application allows users to find routes with bike trails, on road cycle lanes and recommended routes. It can also find routes that avoid hills as much as possible. So far, though, there’s no news on if and when the feature will be available in the UK, or whether there are plans to make the application available to use with mobile phones.
	Double Olympic champion Lapébie dies aged 93 French cyclist Guy Lapébie has passed away at the age of 93. The Olympic champion, who won two gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Games and finished third in the 1948 Tour de France, died on 8 March at Saint-Gaudens hospital in South West France.
	Want to tie the knot in 2010? Are you planning to arrive at your wedding on bikes, or pedal off on your honeymoon? BBC3’s TV show ‘Don’t Tell the Bride’ is looking for cyclists to take part in its fourth series. The successful couple will be given £12,000 to plan their dream wedding – but every bit of the planning must be done by the groom. If you’re interested in taking part, email weddings@renegadepictures.co.uk.
	Gert Steegmans in a whirlwind If you’ve been battling through headwinds this week, spare a thought for Belgian sprint champion Gert Steegmans, who has broken his collarbone after being caught in a whirlwind in the Paris-Nice prologue. The RadioShack rider was lifted off the ground while riding at 47mph downhill and thrown away from the road during the time trial on Sunday. It’s expected that the 29-year-old will be returning to training in three weeks, using plates and screws to secure his fracture.
	CTC is recruiting! Bike & Leisure is a new partnership programme consisting of the Forestry Commission, Hoseasons Holidays and CTC. Funded by Cycling England, the scheme will be based at five holiday sites in England and will introduce holiday makers to cycling and encourage them to keep pedalling afterwards. Positions for seasonal cycling officers are available in Finlake (Newton Abbott), Oakdene (Ringwood), Sherwood (Mansfield) and Griffon (Yorkshire). More information and how to apply will be available on the CTC website. The deadline for applications is 24 March.
	Video: Feature by Brooks on ‘L’Eroica’ This is the first in a Series of reports by Brooks England to highlight some of the communities they support. This report features ‘L'Eroica’, a 200km (124 mile) randonneur in Tuscany that occurs annually in the first week of October. No carbon fibre or clipless pedals are allowed and participation is limited to bikes made before 1987.
	Islabikes Family Activity Day in Shropshire Islabikes, the children’s bike specialists, are holding a Family Activity Day on Saturday 27 March at their new premises in Ludlow. The day includes the chance to learn new skills with kids’ coaching sessions; guided family traffic-free trail rides; a spectacular cycle stunt show; and the essential clown juggling on a unicycle! Islabikes will be available for children to try during the day and a team of experts will be on hand to give guidance.
	Video: Mr & Mrs Motormouth tell cyclist 'No pay, no say' This helmetcam video shows a couple in a car convinced that they pay Road Tax and that the cyclist doesn’t, and therefore the rider has no right to be on the road. The video is part of Carlton Reid’s ‘ I Pay Road Tax’ campaign, which aims to dispel the myth harboured by Mr & Mrs Motormouth, and many others, that only motorists pay for the roads.
	Camping in Scotland Take part in one of Scotland's best kept cycling secrets by experiencing the hospitality and fine riding of the Grampian Rally. Scotland, Highland Adventure is a 9-day holiday from 29 May to 6 June, with 4 days of centre-based rides organised by the Grampian Rally, followed by a ride of approximately 45 miles per day through the wonderful scenery and passes of the Highlands, finishing in Inverness. CTC holidays are not-for-profit and are exclusive to CTC members. For more information or to book your place see the CTC Holidays website.
	Membership Benefit : To your good health Civil Service Healthcare is the provider of low-cost comprehensive health insurance to members of CTC and their family. CS Healthcare stand apart from most of their competitors as a Mutual Friendly Society, which means they do not have any shareholders, enabling them to re-invest surplus funds back into the Society to help keep premiums low. In addition to providing fast access to private medical treatment, benefits also include a 24hr medical advice line, health screenings and first 2 months free* membership for CTC members when you join online quoting promotional code CTC165 so join today at www.cshealthcare.co.uk or call on 0800 917 4325†. Civil Service Healthcare is a registered friendly society authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) reg no 205346. *Terms and conditions apply and are available on request. †Calls may be recorded and monitored for training and quality assurance purposes and/or the prevention and detection of crime.
	Newsnet If you have something to share with over 28,000 CTC members, please email links to websites, videos and images to publicity@ctc.org.uk. Don’t forget you can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook too.
RECEIVING THIS NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBE: If you have been sent this newsletter by a friend and would like to receive it directly, simply send your membership number (or postcode) and email address to membership@ctc.org.uk. UNSUBSCRIBE: If you would no longer like to receive the newsletter, send the word unsubscribe and your membership number in the subject box of an email to membership@ctc.org.uk. If you would like to comment on this newsletter please email publicity@ctc.org.uk. If you have a general enquiry please contact our information team at cycling@ctc.org.uk. To discuss any topic with other cyclists please post your views on the CTC Forum at www.ctc.org.uk/forum. CTC will not disclose the information you provided whilst joining CTC or using CTC's support services to any other person or organisation, except for the purpose of providing you with CTC membership services and membership benefits available to you as a member of CTC. If you do not want us to contact you about CTC membership benefits, products or services, or if you have any query about the use we make of your data, please write to the Data Controller at CTC, Parklands, Guildford, Surrey GU2 9JX.