From: newsnet@CTCnews.org.uk

Sent: 15 January 2010 15:11

To: timmyers@tiscali.co.uk

Subject: CTC Newsletter

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IN THIS ISSUE OF NEWSNET ^ A hole lot of potholes | ^ 2 Way Street | ^ Will there be a Road Tax for cyclists in Scotland? | ^ End to End of Little Britain  | ^ Member Benefit: CTC’s Touring Service
Dear Tim
	A hole lot of potholes  As the snow and ice begin to melt, potholes are popping up all over the place. CTC’s website Fill That Hole has been busy with many people reporting potholes to be fixed. The interactive website lets you pinpoint potholes on a map and sends a report to the relevant local authority, which has a duty to ensure roads are correctly maintained. On the radio this week, CTC Cycle Champions Officer  Martyn Bolt went out with a ‘potholeometer’ – a box full of crockery - to assess the state of Yorkshire’s roads on BBC York, (43 mins in), and listen to an interview with CTC Campaigns Coordinator Debra Rolfe on BBC Kent (1hr 13 mins in).
	2 Way Street  The CTC Accident Line is surveying both cyclists and lorry drivers to find out more about how they perceive each other on our roads. If you are a regular cyclist, all you have to do is answer 10 questions and you have the chance to enter a draw to receive one year’s free CTC membership. There are 10 free CTC memberships on offer. Please forward the survey to your cycling friends.
	Will there be a road tax for cyclists in Scotland? The Scottish Government mooted the idea of taxing cyclists in a consultation on the Cycling Action Plan for Scotland. They asked the question: "Should all road users pay road tax? If so, how much should it be for cyclists and how could it be enforced?". Seven out of ten people who responded were opposed to the idea of a road tax for cyclists, and just 2 per cent were in favour. To find out more, read a response by CTC Scotland’s Peter Hayman in the Scotsman.
	End to End of Little Britain  Over the years, thousands of CTC members have cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats and now it’s time for celebrities to follow in their tracks. Star of Little Britain David Walliams is to cycle the length of the UK. He’ll be joined by Jimmy Carr, Fearne Cotton, Miranda Hart and Davina McCall, who will each take turns to finish the 875 mile journey. They will be raising money for the charity Sport Relief.
	Boris’s biking boroughs   Twelve outer London boroughs are set to become ‘Biking Boroughs’ as they receive £25,000 and expertise from Transport for London to encourage greater numbers of cyclists. Research shows how more than half of the trips in the capital that could be made by bicycle are in outer London – a total of 2.4 million journeys a day, most of which are currently made by car - and that 58%  of outer London residents say that they are considering cycling more over the coming year.
	Video: Sir Paul Smith demonstrates his trackstanding skills to Mark Cavendish This little clip shows cyclist and fashion icon Sir Paul Smith in Sir Paul’s studio in London talking about his custom built Mercian. He then shows off his no-handed trackstand to none other than Tour de France and Olympic cyclist Mark Cavendish and the Columbia Directeur Sportif Brian Holm.
	Ferrari driver fined £182,000 for speeding A man caught driving a Ferrari at 60mph through the Swiss village of St Gallen, where the speed limit is 30mph, has been fined a record £182,000. The huge fine was based on the estimated wealth of the unnamed millionaire motorist, and on the fact that he was a repeat offender. In 2002, voters in Switzerland approved replacing prison terms for speeding with fines based on income. The driver of the Ferrari Testarossa is reported to have an annual income over £500,000 and be worth over £12 million. Other countries, such as Finland, use a similar system of proportionate fines, with the head of Nokia receiving a £70,000 punishment for speeding in 2002, equivalent to 14 days' pay.
	CTC Triennial Veterans’ Rides 2010 The Triennial Veterans’ Rides (Tri-Vets) are 100-mile ‘Century rides’ organised by CTC member groups throughout the country every three years. They’re exclusively for veterans aged 50-plus. Camaraderie runs high, as does the determination to complete the event in the allotted time of 12 hours. There are 14 Tri-Vets rides already scheduled with more to come – rider numbers are limited so early registration is recommended. For more information or to register, visit the CTC website to download a registration form or call 0844 736 8450 to get a registration form by post.
	Job: Bike Club Development Officer in Cardiff  Bike Club is expanding around the UK and we have a vacancy for a Bike Club Development Officer to work in the Cardiff area. Bike Club is an innovative project to create new cycling clubs and activities for children and young people. We are looking for someone to work closely with existing networks of staff and volunteers in formal and informal learning settings. For more information is available on the Bike Club website. Bike Club is delivered by a partnership of CTC - the national cyclists’ organisation, Youth Cymru and ContinYou Cymru.
	CTC’s Cycle Training and Education Conference in Wales        CTC’s first cycling training conference in Wales will take place on 10 March in Llandrindod Wells. The combination of speakers, workshops, stands and networking opportunities promises to give all those involved in cycle training the chance to share good practice. The venue is a 5-minute walk from the train station and the conference program will be set to accommodate those travelling by train. For more information download the booking form  or contact CTC’s Cycle Training Development Officer in Wales Gwenda Owen.
	Volunteer of the Year Awards for 2009 Nominations are needed now for the Volunteer of the Year awards for 2009. The awards recognise the efforts of individuals and groups who have done something special for cycling during the last year. Perhaps they’ve organised a great event, campaigned effectively for cycling, or promoted cycling for children. Nominations are required for each of CTC’s 12 regions. If you have an individual or group in mind, all you need to do is complete the online application form and email it to Sue Cherry at National Office. Alternatively call 01483 238302 to request a paper copy. The deadline for nominations is 12 February, so don’t delay.
	York Cycle Show 2010 Campsite booking is now open for the York Cycle Show, the annual CTC rally, trade show and camping weekend, which this year takes place on 19 - 20 June. You can download a booking form, or see the forthcoming issue of Cycle magazine for a paper version. This year’s show includes arena events such as grass-track racing; organised rides ranging from 20 to100 miles; a cycle stunt show; a cyclists’ service at York Minster; a grand parade through the city; children’s entertainment; cycle club displays and more. Entry to the main site is free.
	Tour Montenegro with CTC There are just two places left on CTC’s new 14-day tour of Montenegro. Experience an amazing variety of scenery packed into a tiny country. The route includes superb azure coastal fjords, Europe's biggest fresh water lake, the Tara Canyon, Dermitor National Park and the walled mediaeval town of Kotor. Montenegro is a 14-day holiday from 5 -18 June, departing from Gatwick Airport (luggage transfer is provided). 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.
	CTC on Twitter and Facebook  Keep up-to-date on CTC news all week round. You can follow CTC on Twitter or join us on Facebook.
	Member Benefit: CTC’s Touring Service Stretching back into the mists of time but perhaps less well- known to newer members is CTC’s Touring Service. We have a library of around 800 routes and information sheets available free to members who want to plan their own cycling trips. An index of route sheets and a list of our more general information sheets are all are downloadable direct from our website.
	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 .
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