WE RIDE BIKES ! ALLOW US TO ENJOY THE RIDE IN SAFETY !

WE RIDE BIKES ! ALLOW US TO ENJOY THE RIDE IN SAFETY !
There are NO " RIGHTS "! THERE IS MUTUAL RESPECT !

Sunday, October 19, 2014

SCAPEGOATING !

67yo Bus Driver sentenced to 10years after Pleading Guilty to " Dangerous Driving "!

WHAT ABOUT his Bosses ?

This comment from another blog is relevant :

http://saferoxfordstreet.blogspot.com/

  "   For this trial to have had any real impact, Judge Kennedy should have placed Transport Commissioner Peter Hendy, MD Surface Transport Leon Daniel, and Stagecoach MD Mark Threapleton on the dock and interrogated them about bus performance contracts, driver working conditions, and common bus driver practices that may have influenced Mr. Todd's behaviour at the fateful (and fatal) moment.  Until the cascade of responsibility falls on those people directly accountable for TfL's Bus Safety Black Hole, the system will always get the wrong men.

Yes someone has to pay back to Society , for DEATHS on London Roads , BUT , the Drivers are DIRECTED TO DRIVE in the way they DO !

THOSE directing are RESPONSIBLE , thus SHOULD ALSO be standing in the DOCK !

Did the Judge say THIS ?  Quote from the Blog :

Judge Kennedy merely treated this incident as a "one-off" traffic 'accident' that could have happened to anyone:
"All those who drive: look in the mirror, tell me if you ever got to the end of the road and wondered what happened in the last 150 yards. Thank god in that 150 yards nothing dreadful happened.
“If anyone tells me that that’s never happened to them I will tell them I don’t believe them.
“A tragedy occurred inexplicable of proper decision. There’s nothing I can do that will reverse the terrible consequences."

Wonder when the JUDGE will decide to retire , so as to make room for a person with an awareness of REALITY ?


In case TFL are so asleep that they have not registered this fact , i have copied an item from Paul Russell of CIRAS !

IT WILL COST YOU NOTHING for the Busses to be a MEMBER of CIRAS !

 "  I am seeking to engage with TfL on this matter soon and hope that we can progress towards establishing future membership. CIRAS will be exhibiting at Eurobus next month at the NEC, Birmingham, so if you or your colleagues are attending please come by the CIRAS stall, D19. 


WHAT A BARGAIN !



For those that have difficulties in London with London Busses , here are 2 useful Email Addresses :

LeonDaniels@tfl.gov.uk  Personal Experience has shown a certain level of cooperation 

PeterHendy@Tfl.gov.uk

Sourced from this quote by @comadad

 "  In the end, I just tweeted the parent the emails of Peter Hendy (PeterHendy@Tfl.gov.uk) and Leon Daniels (LeonDaniels@tfl.gov.uk).  If I was using my free time on Saturday to run interference for TfL, then why shouldn't its bosses have their day-of-rest disturbed too?  The parent informed me that, to his credit, Leon Daniels did email back promptly on Saturday afternoon.  I don't know what explanation the parent finally received from TfL, but Leon Daniels quick reaction gives me some hope that TfL management might cease to dismiss the feedback from pedestrians, cyclists, bus passengers, and bus drivers that I'm regularly publishing on my blog.  

Share/Bookmark

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

LONDON, arrive in Good Health , leave as a CASUALTY !

Today i discovered WHY Cyclists are regarded as less than " Road Furniture "!  Seems there is a group called the " Association of Chief police Officers "!  These eminent menbers of the UK Establishment , have devised a way to keep the Courts free of Cycling related Casualty Prosecutions and thus save the Motorist MONEY !

Speed on UK roads , you are likely to get a request in the Post , demanding a remittance of your cash, drive through a Red Light , similar results !  You will also be told that your Licence has forfeited a certain number of POINTS !  In the UK you can lose 12 points before Panic sets in . There have been reports that a number of individuals have convinced the Judiciary to allow them to continue driving after amassing 43 POINTS !  All it required was a " Brief ( Smarmy lawyer who is mates with a key person )" and an appearance in court claiming that the loss of  licence could cause " Personal Hardship " !

Well here is the thing , all of the above are at no cost to the personal health of other Road Users !  As a driver you would hope to avoid causing harm , to other Vulnerable Road Users ? Seems that if you do cause " Injury to V R U people , you may very likely NOT EVEN Lose Money , nor EVEN POINTS !  Seems that " ACPO " in their wisdom , have decided that Injuring Cyclists and Pedestrians , does not matter a DAMN !

In 2 cases that i am aware of , using the " ACPO Guidelines " , Police Authorities have rewarded the " Attempted Murder " of Cyclists , with a DAY OFF from driving , so as to attend a " Driver Improvement Course "!  With the power of the Unions , these " Education Courses " would mean the " Traffic Violence Terrorist " will get PAID , whilst yawning through the events that will attempt to remind them of the matters they were required to know when they first sought the licence , that was in use when they MOWED Down the unfortunates that they overlooked as they operated their chosen KILLING MACHINE !

How these " ACPO Members " manage to sleep at night , is beyond me !

For speeding & running a Red light , Cash & points , for INFLICTING Pain & Suffering , a day off ?
We ALL hear of " Justice being BLIND !  Never expected to hear it was DUMB & STUPID !

Case 1 ,    2 Manchester Lads Cycling from Manchester to Rome with the idea of     supporting/fundraising for " Help4Heroes ". Severely Injured with weeks in Hospital in one case and yet the " perp. truck driver gets to yawn through a Day Off from Driving !

Case 2 ,    personal experience . Having arrived from the Tour de Romandie in London , i had completed my business and was heading for Oxon and thence the Manchester area , Riding on a Cycle Lane past a traffic Island , i found myself tossed like a Rag Doll , onto the pavement . The Mobile Police Command Centre Van , staffed by an Inspector & Sargeant , both bike riders to work , did all that was necessary to ensure a successful prosecution , yet some " Jobsworth " cocked a snoop at them and my Injuries and decided to REWARD the perp. driving the TFL D/Decker bus with a " DAY OFF " ! No cash penalty , no loss of points ! As it was lunchtime , i would hazard a guess that the driver had more on his mind than looking out for Cyclists ?

Currently i am in " No mans Land " , since i chose a " Lawyer " that seems to favour the TFL line of "No Purchase Receipts " for Garments and Equipment , thus not entitled to reimbursement , because we only pay CASH !  Even after advising the Names of my Sponsors/Donors , they are sitting on their hands ignoring common Justice . Had i been driving a Car , they would have gladly paid the Rental of a Vehicle , to get me to Belfast for the Giro D'Italia Grand Depart , for which i was heading at that time .  I am sure they would have had no qualms about the expense of my trip around Eire in those Days that were on my way to Belfast ?

Below are a series of Emails that relate further info , on my attempts to obtain Justice in this matter :

  " To:  

Subject:   LX/1501386/2014/CH

Date:   Fri 08/15/14 02:20 AM

Attachments
Name Type Save View
Part 1.1   text/plain Save
Part 1.2   text/html Save
Letter 22 - NDAC 3rd party decision.doc   application/msword Save View
Dear Mr McCarthy,

I am writing in regards to the accident you were involved in on 2nd May 2014 in Wandsworth Road, SW8.

Evidence suggests that the bus driver was at fault for the incident. It has been decided that the bus driver will be offered a place on a driver improvement course. If he fails the course or declines to attend we will proceed with court action against him for driving without due care and attention.

Please see attached letter. I have also posted a letter to you.

Kind regards

Colin Harris
Case Manager
Lambeth/Bexley
Traffic Criminal Justice OCU
Phone: 0207 230 0718
Fax:   0208 309 7773


#########################################################

  Attn Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe

  Commisioner of Metropolitan Police

  London

Sir ,

As Commisioner of Metropolitan Police you have a considerable Pool of Talent available to deal with the myriad of Incidents that fall within your purview .

No doubt there are some that fall below the Level of Expertise that you would normally demand ?

The matter i now call your attention to , was attended by a Mini Bus full of your Met. Police Officers , who would have had every opportunity to gather sufficient evidence on the scene , to secure the conviction of the offending TFL Bus Driver !   Had i as a vehicle driver  behaved in the same manner , i would no doubt have been issued with paperwork immediately , for at the minimum " Driving without due care and attention ", perhaps even speeding  or passing too close to a Cyclist ?  However because the vehicle is operated by a member of the TFL Consortia , the Inspector Beresford , or his Sargeant may have instructed the Woman Constable to only take down details , for later consideration ?

As far as anyone is concerned the Traffic Violence inflicted on me was due to my deciding to use that road to pass through London ? In the letter sent to me , there is a definite presumption that i deserve no better , for having decided to be a Bike Tourist in London !

After the November 2013 Cyclist deaths , your Police Force scored considerable Publicity with " Operation safeguard " , wherein Cyclists received countless numbers of " FPN " for a variety of offences , some of those offences in contradiction of the " ACPO guide lines "!

When was ramming a Cyclist in the rear on a " Marked CYCLE Lane " that passes a traffic Island , NOT an open & shut reason for a charge to be immediately imposed ?  Attempted Manslaughter, Grevious Bodily Harm , etc , when using a FIST , but using 15 ton of a Metal blunt object , that is OKAY ?

Regretably this PATHETIC Example of " Fair Treatment " is not the only Traffic Violence that received the same treatment as shown in this Tweet/article :   "  Pedals for medals ?@Pedalsformedals  May 5
@Dean_Bousfield, we will be going again, but we will need time to regroup and 'unfold' our bikes and bodies! @HelpforHeroes

So a Charity Group of " Ex Military Guys ( http://pedalsformedals.com/ )  " get wiped out by "Sleeping Driver " , they go to Hospital ( see Photo attached ) andd HE goes to a " Driver Improvement Course !  FAIR DEAL ?  Well to the Admin Staff at the CPS ? YAWN ! To the attending Police Officers ? Frustration ?

Unless i am informed by return email / Tweet / other , that your office will review the matter URGENTLY ,  i will have to do as so many others have done , to have the matter reopened , in order to see the Driver Convicted , seek the services of the " IPCC " .

As you will see from the attachment below my signature , TFL are well known as a source of Misery to the Victims of their ongoing Traffic Violence :

Sincerely

M. Mc Carthy

Met Police Letter Ref :  LX/1501386/2014/CH

Originating Officer   :  Colin.E.Harris@met.pnn.police.uk


#########################################################


From:   "skippy mc carthy"

Reply-To:  

To:  

Cc:  

Subject:   MY REPLY Re: LX/1501386/2014/CH CONFIRM Receipt of Email THIS TIME !

Date:   Sat 08/16/14 11:52 AM

Attachments
Name Type Save View
Message   text/html Save
   SO Disgusted with the reply , which no doubt , was not your decision , that i sent the following through the Facebook Social Media Page :  www.facebook.com/metpoliceuk

  "  Attn Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe

  Commisioner of Metropolitan Police

  London

Sir ,

As Commisioner of Metropolitan Police you have a considerable Pool of Talent available to deal with the myriad of Incidents that fall within your purview .

No doubt there are some that fall below the Level of Expertise that you would normally demand ?

The matter i now call your attention to , was attended by a Mini Bus full of your Met. Police Officers , who would have had every opportunity to gather sufficient evidence on the scene , to secure the conviction of the offending TFL Bus Driver !   Had i as a vehicle driver  behaved in the same manner , i would no doubt have been issued with paperwork immediately , for at the minimum " Driving without due care and attention ", perhaps even speeding  or passing too close to a Cyclist ?  However because the vehicle is operated by a member of the TFL Consortia , the Inspector Beresford , or his Sargeant may have instructed the Woman Constable to only take down details , for later consideration ?

As far as anyone is concerned the Traffic Violence inflicted on me was due to my deciding to use that road to pass through London ? In the letter sent to me , there is a definite presumption that i deserve no better , for having decided to be a Bike Tourist in London !

After the November 2013 Cyclist deaths , your Police Force scored considerable Publicity with " Operation safeguard " , wherein Cyclists received countless numbers of " FPN " for a variety of offences , some of those offences in contradiction of the " ACPO guide lines "!

When was ramming a Cyclist in the rear on a " Marked CYCLE Lane " that passes a traffic Island , NOT an open & shut reason for a charge to be immediately imposed ?  Attempted Manslaughter , Grevious Bodily Harm , etc , when using a FIST , but using 15 ton of a Metal blunt object , that is OKAY ?

Regretably this PATHETIC Example of " Fair Treatment " is not the only Traffic Violence that received the same treatment as shown in this Tweet/article :   "  Pedals for medals ?@Pedalsformedals  May 5
@Dean_Bousfield, we will be going again, but we will need time to regroup and 'unfold' our bikes and bodies! @HelpforHeroes

So a Charity Group of " Ex Military Guys ( http://pedalsformedals.com/ )  " get wiped out by " Sleeping Driver " , they go to Hospital ( see Photo attached ) and HE ( the perp. )goes to a " Driver Improvement Course !  FAIR DEAL ?  Well to the Admin Staff at the CPS ? YAWN ! To the attending Police Officers ? Frustration ?

Unless i am informed by return email / Tweet / other , that your office will review the matter URGENTLY ,  i will have to do as so many others have done , to have the matter reopened , in order to see the Driver Convicted , seek the services of the " IPCC " .

As you will see from the attachment below my signature , TFL are well known as a source of Misery to the Victims of their ongoing Traffic Violence :

Sincerely

M. Mc Carthy
###########

 No doubt , if there are conscientious people running that Facebook page , a copy will be on his desk on Monday ?  Should i not receive your confirmation of this email by close of business on Monday , then i shall be following these examples :

              http://saferoxfordstreet.blogspot.co.at/2013/12/protecting-their-own-what-i-learned.html     IPCC by MP ?

The Met’s “re-investigation” of my case compelled by the IPCC simply confirmed that everything Met had done to investigate my collision had been carried out “within standard operating procedures” which -  apparently -  include:

Not interviewing the victim of a KSI collision involving a TfL bus during the formal investigation phase
Not revisiting the site of the collision during the IPCC-mandated reinvestigation
Not reconstructing the collision...ever.
Not collecting available CCTV evidence in time so it is destroyed
Not reviewing or analysing CCTV evidence (unless two years later and only if compelled to by the IPCC counts)
Not contacting key witnesses (even two years later and even though the Mayor's office managed to do so)
Not reviewing available CCTV evidence to see if it corroborates any witness statements.


http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/cyclist-tells-of-struggle-for-justice-after-almost-dying-beneath-lorry-in-hackney-9670790.html

I have ridden my Bike at ProWorld Road Race Major Cycle Tour Events for the past 17 seasons , i did not spend the first 4 months of 2014 preparing to be cheated of success by some 2 bit TFL bus driver , who was probably speeding to his lunch !

 You had better have ALL your ducks in a row , because i will be looking for a conviction of something more noteworthy than "Careless Driving "!

Sincerely

M. Mc Carthy
###################################
--- Colin.E.Harris@met.pnn.police.uk wrote:

From:
To:
Subject: LX/1501386/2014/CH
Date: Fri, 15 Aug 2014 09:19:59 +0000

Dear Mr McCarthy,

I am writing in regards to the accident you were involved in on 2nd May 2014 in Wandsworth Road, SW8.

Evidence suggests that the bus driver was at fault for the incident. It has been decided that the bus driver will be offered a place on a driver improvement course. If he fails the course or declines to attend we will proceed with court action against him for driving without due care and attention.

Please see attached letter. I have also posted a letter to you.

Kind regards

Colin Harris
Case Manager
Lambeth/Bexley
Traffic Criminal Justice OCU
Phone: 0207 230 0718
Fax:   0208 309 7773



Total Policing is the Met's commitment to be on the streets and in your communities to catch offenders, prevent crime and support victims. We are here for London, working with you to make our capital safer.

Consider our environment - please do not print this email unless absolutely necessary.


NOTICE - This email and any attachments may be confidential, subject to copyright and/or legal privilege and are intended solely for the use of the intended recipient. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender and delete it from your system.  To avoid incurring legal liabilities, you must not distribute or copy the information in this email without the permission of the sender. MPS communication systems are monitored to the extent permitted by law.  Consequently, any email and/or attachments may be read by monitoring staff. Only specified personnel are authorised to conclude any binding agreement on behalf of the MPS by email. The MPS accepts no responsibility for unauthorised agreements reached with other employees or agents.  The security of this email and any attachments cannot be guaranteed. Email messages are routinely scanned but malicious software infection and corruption of content can still occur during transmission over the Internet. Any views or opinions expressed in this communication are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).

Find us at:

Facebook: Facebook.com/metpoliceuk
Twitter: @metpoliceuk

 #####################################################

My Reply

  "  Totally ignoring my previous Email , means that i have NO REGRETS about advising the world about YOUR abismal efforts on my behalf !  That YOU failed to show even the courtesy of inquiring after my HEALTH , demonstrates that you are worthy of the title " Mr jobsworth "!!

Together with the TFL Personnel that i have had occasion to deal with , i regard you as little better than the dross at the bottom of the barrel !

I am not alone in being treated to this cavalier attitude , since i saw thatt 2 Manchester Area Men , were treated to the same disregard , when skittled by a trucker , whilst riding from Manchester to Rome , in support of the " Help4Heroes Charity "!

When you find yourself mown down by 15 tonnes of metal , forgive me if i hope it is by someone that your organisation , gave a " Day Off " , to revise " Skills " required BEFORE being allowed to turn on the ignition of the vehicle that they had become licenced to drive !

That both the attending Inspector and Sargeant , that attended my " TRAFFIC VIOLENCE Incident " , they Cycle to work , took the time to see that my Incident was properly documented to ensure a SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION , and YOU and YOUR colleagues have SNUBBED their efforts speak volumes for the current " Sweep under the carpet " attitude that prevails for Victims of TFL !

The Met. Police have an " Anti Terrorism Unit " to safeguard the Citizens of London , who would be better employed dealing with those that TERRORISE CYCLISTS !

When 9 Cyclists were KILLED in November 2013 , the Met. Police solution was " Operation Safeguard "!  Great effort to solve the problem ? Since when did VEHICLES have the right to RAM Cyclists off the road ?  Releasing Police Officers , not properly aware of the UK Laws about CYCLING , on a STOP Cyclists Exercise to TELL THEM that they should be wearing Helmets and Wearing High Vis. garments , none of which are required by the Highway Code , OR , UK Laws demonstrates a level of STUPIDITY that is also demonstrated by giving a TFL Bus Driver a " PAID HOLIDAY " for ramming a Cyclist , and thus causing 5 months ( so Far ) of pain & suffering !

YOU think you are finished with this matter ?

Think AGAIN , jobsworth !

Your Superiors will find the Blogs generated , UNCOMFORTABLE Reading !

Under is the email , previously sent , just so YOU can avoid claiming that it was unseen !

Sincerely

M.Mc Carthy

###########################

From:   "skippy mc carthy"

Reply-To:  

To:  

Cc:  

Subject:   MY REPLY Re: LX/1501386/2014/CH CONFIRM Receipt of Email THIS TIME !

Date:   Sat 08/16/14 11:52 AM

Attachments
Name Type Save View
Message   text/html Save
   SO Disgusted with the reply , which no doubt , was not your decision , that i sent the following through the Facebook Social Media Page :  www.facebook.com/metpoliceuk

  "  Attn Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe

  Commisioner of Metropolitan Police

  London

Sir ,

As Commisioner of Metropolitan Police you have a considerable Pool of Talent available to deal with the myriad of Incidents that fall within your purview .

No doubt there are some that fall below the Level of Expertise that you would normally demand ?

The matter i now call your attention to , was attended by a Mini Bus full of your Met. Police Officers , who would have had every opportunity to gather sufficient evidence on the scene , to secure the conviction of the offending TFL Bus Driver !   Had i as a vehicle driver  behaved in the same manner , i would no doubt have been issued with paperwork immediately , for at the minimum " Driving without due care and attention ", perhaps even speeding  or passing too close to a Cyclist ?  However because the vehicle is operated by a member of the TFL Consortia , the Inspector Beresford , or his Sargeant may have instructed the Woman Constable to only take down details , for later consideration ?

As far as anyone is concerned the Traffic Violence inflicted on me was due to my deciding to use that road to pass through London ? In the letter sent to me , there is a definite presumption that i deserve no better , for having decided to be a Bike Tourist in London !

After the November 2013 Cyclist deaths , your Police Force scored considerable Publicity with " Operation safeguard " , wherein Cyclists received countless numbers of " FPN " for a variety of offences , some of those offences in contradiction of the " ACPO guide lines "!

When was ramming a Cyclist in the rear on a " Marked CYCLE Lane " that passes a traffic Island , NOT an open & shut reason for a charge to be immediately imposed ?  Attempted Manslaughter , Grevious Bodily Harm , etc , when using a FIST , but using 15 ton of a Metal blunt object , that is OKAY ?

Regretably this PATHETIC Example of " Fair Treatment " is not the only Traffic Violence that received the same treatment as shown in this Tweet/article :   "  Pedals for medals ‏@Pedalsformedals  May 5
@Dean_Bousfield, we will be going again, but we will need time to regroup and 'unfold' our bikes and bodies! @HelpforHeroes

So a Charity Group of " Ex Military Guys ( http://pedalsformedals.com/ )  " get wiped out by " Sleeping Driver " , they go to Hospital ( see Photo attached ) andd HE goes to a " Driver Improvement Course !  FAIR DEAL ?  Well to the Admin Staff at the CPS ? YAWN ! To the attending Police Officers ? Frustration ?

Unless i am informed by return email / Tweet / other , that your office will review the matter URGENTLY ,  i will have to do as so many others have done , to have the matter reopened , in order to see the Driver Convicted , seek the services of the " IPCC " .

As you will see from the attachment below my signature , TFL are well known as a source of Misery to the Victims of their ongoing Traffic Violence :

Sincerely

M. Mc Carthy
###########

 No doubt , if there are conscientious people running that Facebook page , a copy will be on his desk on Monday ?  Should i not receive your confirmation of this email by close of business on Monday , then i shall be following these examples :

 FROM             http://saferoxfordstreet.blogspot.co.at/2013/12/protecting-their-own-what-i-learned.html     IPCC by MP ?

  "  The Met’s “re-investigation” of my case compelled by the IPCC simply confirmed that everything Met had done to investigate my collision had been carried out “within standard operating procedures” which -  apparently -  include:

Not interviewing the victim of a KSI collision involving a TfL bus during the formal investigation phase
Not revisiting the site of the collision during the IPCC-mandated reinvestigation
Not reconstructing the collision...ever.
Not collecting available CCTV evidence in time so it is destroyed
Not reviewing or analysing CCTV evidence (unless two years later and only if compelled to by the IPCC counts)
Not contacting key witnesses (even two years later and even though the Mayor's office managed to do so)
Not reviewing available CCTV evidence to see if it corroborates any witness statements.


http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/cyclist-tells-of-struggle-for-justice-after-almost-dying-beneath-lorry-in-hackney-9670790.html

I have ridden my Bike at ProWorld Road Race Major Cycle Tour Events for the past 17 seasons , i did not spend the first 4 months of 2014 preparing to be cheated of success by some 2 bit TFL bus driver , who was probably speeding to his lunch !

 You had better have ALL your ducks in a row , because i will be looking for a conviction of something more noteworthy than "Careless Driving "!

Sincerely

M. Mc Carthy
###################################

--- Colin.E.Harris@met.pnn.police.uk wrote:

From:
To:
Subject: LX/1501386/2014/CH
Date: Fri, 15 Aug 2014 09:19:59 +0000

Dear Mr McCarthy,

I am writing in regards to the accident you were involved in on 2nd May 2014 in Wandsworth Road, SW8.

Evidence suggests that the bus driver was at fault for the incident. It has been decided that the bus driver will be offered a place on a driver improvement course. If he fails the course or declines to attend we will proceed with court action against him for driving without due care and attention.

Please see attached letter. I have also posted a letter to you.

Kind regards

Colin Harris
Case Manager
Lambeth/Bexley
Traffic Criminal Justice OCU
Phone: 0207 230 0718
Fax:   0208 309 7773

 #########################################


letter from colin  : yet to scan this into Computer


##########################################


From:
To:
Subject: : " JOBSWORTH Effort "!!
Date: Mon, 6 Oct 2014 09:40:38 +0000

Dear Mr McCarthy
Your e mail has been passed to me as the senior police staff manager in charge of Mr Harris. I will review your case and respond to you ASAP,it is too early to say at this moment if you have any genuine reason to complain as your e mail is a mixture of personal abuse,threats and a general tirade against the system.
One thing which cannot be changed is our action in your case the offender has taken a course and as such cannot be prosecuted for your collision as this is considered by the law as an abuse of process.

Yours Sincerely

Trevor Benton.

############################################

my reply

Thankyou for your prompt attention and email .  Somewhere i mentioned that your colleague was the victim of the system , that you have to work within !

 Whilst i am only aware of the two cases mentioned , mine and the 2 Charity riders for " Help4Heroes " , i am almost certain that there are countless others , that have suffered the same fate . The derision that the judiciary holds to that 2nd class citizen , the Vulnerable Road User !

We CHOOSE to ride bikes , we Choose to leave our vehicles at home , yet reading , listening and watching the Media , we are little more than " MOBILE Road Furniture "!  Indeed there are Politicians that have stated similar sentimen ts , such as those described in that website :

www.facebook.com/groups/stopkillingcyclists/1505539113030329   ( it may be Southwark Council ? )

When you consider that a Mobile Police Command Van attended the scene of the Traffic Violence and that the Ambulance Crew required tthat i travel to Hospital and abandon the Bike to other arrangements , it must be clear that ENOUGH EVIDENCE wouldd have been collected to eensure a successful prosecution of the errant driver .

That he was given a " DAY OFF WORK " as a reward for whatever negligence he displayed , is an insult to ALL that attended and tried to assist me there ! That a similar reward was made to the Driver thatt albut killed the Charity Riders adds further derision to this form of dealing with Traffic Violence !

Politicians are involved in deciding the form of retribution meted out to the " Errant Drivers " , much to the frustration of the thinking person , yet , very little appears to be happening to ensure that the " Victims " are fairly treated .

I chose to suffer the pain and after being delivered by the Police Van to a Bike shop , i took the cheapest options to stay mobile .  It is being held against me by those at TFL that i was wearing clothes provided to me and using equipment that was also provided . it is their contention at present that until i provide receipts for PURCHASE , the destroyed /damaged property has NO VALUE ! Yet they only wish to give me cents on the euro , if i had those receipts !  Had the bus rammed my car , i would have had a rental provided and the car returned to a similar condition , paintwork and roadworthy .

5 months later i am still suffering a slight problem with my elbow and the " Lawyer ( my unfortunate choice ) prefers that i travel at expense to London for Examination by Specialists . I would sooner go without , than trust the NHS or UK Specialists to tell me what an Austria Doctor is MORE CAPABLE of telling me .

Frankly the System you administer is BROKE !  Having to work within it must be the source of Daily Frustration ?

No doubt your examination of this case will show that your colleague has done his job to the " Specifications required " , BUT , why do you ALL , not remedy the situation by ensuring , that those that IMPOSE these lenient " slap on the limp wrist " penalties , replace it with FINANCIAL PENALTIES and loss of POINTS ?

With Unions requiring that " Education Courses " be on Paid Work Time , it is likely that the Errant drivers are even PAID to learn/revise ALL they were required to know to obtain the Licence in use at the time they delivered their NEGLECTFUL actions !

Sincerely

M. Mc Carthy

This email will also receive exposure on Social Media !

#####################################################
Share/Bookmark

Monday, August 11, 2014

Plagerised

Someone else's work below , that sums up the situation in the UK , where Cycling & Cyclists are an after thought for the majority of Politicians !  Pity they keep on harping about Cycling to get elected , but move on before doing anything worthwhile towards delivering ?

Bozo the clown , known currently as the " Lord Mayor of london " has recently announced that he is seeking to become a Member of Parliament in 2015 . Could it be that he knows the game of Blind Man's Bluff , is OVER ? Everything that he has promised is still virtually UNDELIVERED !  Each year funds brought down to be spent , are in many cases returned to the exchequer , UNSPENT !

Far from being the champion of Cyclists , he appears to be the blight that has seen Failure to Deliver , THRIVE !  Who follows him ?  Can they be any worse ?

The iten following appears to highlight the malaise that Cyclists currently endure :

  "  A day in the life of a British transport officer: "

"Hi there! Welcome to our lovely new cycle-safe British roundabout. On your bike yeah? OK, get off the road via this dangerous kerb onto a shared path that requires you to do a 90 degree turn. Obey all the signs telling you that you are of inferior status to pedestrians and must give way to them so that they feel entitled to shout abuse at you even when you're using the designated shared path. Let me show you our lovely toucan crossing for bikes. Take a seat for a few minutes whilst we let fresh air go past just in case a car might come by. Oh, now you're at the crossing would you mind awfully dismounting for no reason whatsoever. So you have to do that at each arm of the junction you need to cross.

Ready to get back on the road? Right, we've helpfully placed a glass and oil-covered kerb at a right angle so you can swing right out in front of that lorry that can't see you behind all the 'give way to pedestrians' 'cyclists dismount' and 'no cycling' signs and that lovely tree we planted to make the design look pretty. We helpfully ensured that the carriageway narrows just after the junction, so any drivers coming through will think they have space to overtake you safely when they don't. Just remember your body is a traffic-calming measure to make sure that both you and the drivers around you feel anything other than calm, just keep on riding and they'll slow down. Ahem.

When you're back on the road, make your way on the pothole and debris covered cycle lane that is clearly indicated by some worn out paint and a few other random old road markings we couldn't be arsed to remove properly. This cycle lane lasts for the grand distance of 25 metres and stops at a particularly dangerous secondary junction, where motor vehicles will cut in front of you. Oh, did you go over that poorly-signed section of path that is actually safer to ride on, but we forgot to designate as a shared path? Sorry, I'm going to need all your personal details and £90, this should only take another 20 minutes.

Now, if you look to the left there are some blokes in a van who need to hurl abuse at you and swerve into you for their amusement. That will be closely followed by a lorry that cannot legally be on the road driven by someone who is tired and can't see anything around them. Some cars with people on mobile phones driving them will be milling around too-isn't modern communication wonderful! Don't worry if any of them run you over killing or maiming you, if they cry and say they didn't see you, they won't be prosecuted.

Ah, you're wondering about that traffic sign in the bike lane leading back to the carriageway? Ah yes, well, if you could just vanish into nothingness for a few seconds, you'll pass it without any bother. Cross over to the footpath for 5 metres though and I'll be needing another £90.

Just to let you know there's a Police officer from Operation Safeway round the corner who has just ticketed a couple of drivers and will need to give you a bollocking for something like not wearing a helmet or high viz. Yes I know that's not illegal, but how can they be seen to be fair if they don't randomly harass a load of cyclists whilst ignoring all the drivers stopped in the wonderful ASL we put in for you.

Please smile and wave as you go past the Mayor and the press who are here to celebrate the opening of this fantastic new cycling facility. We spent most of the cash putting in extra traffic lanes and on consultants who have much more important things to do than ride a bike themselves - that's what this tiny proportion of funding is for isn't it? Oh yes, and thanks for taking part in the consultation process, that submission you spent hours on was read by a secretary who filed it away neatly. Well, no, we couldn't do what the Dutch do, we have to find our own solutions and with these three traffic lanes, there just isn't room for a protected cycle track. We do have an exchanging places event next weekend though, where you can exchange with a lorry driver so you can be horrified at how little they can see around them. Er, no, it's actually a special kind of exchange where the driver can bore you to death about how terrible cyclists are; that's much better than making them have a go on a bike in traffic around other HGVs.

Pick your jaw off the ground and be on your way, I guess I'll be seeing you later though: we're doing a travel options survey down at the hospital. Oh, I almost forgot, have this glossy cycle map of all the half-arsed and non-existent cycle facilities in the area - yes that road is a cycle route. Why? Well we put it on this map and there's a painted bike symbol on the road that no-one understands and a couple of blue bike signs that community volunteers have helpfully added their own tips to, like 'f*ck cyclists' and then turned out of sight of drivers. Have a great day now! Urgh, glad that tosser's gone now. Bloody cyclists!"


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Wednesday, March 26, 2014

NO DAMAGE ? Doesn't matter then !

Deja Vue ? Another example of " Careless / inconsiderate Driving or worse ? Reaching the point that the B171 an Austrian Road that stretches from the German Border through Tirol to Vorarlberg , is not a safe place to ride a BIKE ! Even when you ride on this route you are subjected to " Subliminal Ads / discarded Red bull Cans " !  No doubt there are some tthat recall my blog post on this matter many months ago ?

Here is my comment to the Seattle Blog , where the 3rd/4th Death of a Vulnerable Road user in a Suburb was reported today :

  "  http://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2014/03/24/kenmore-19-year-old-killed-while-biking-in-crosswalk/#more-263194

Police throughout the World have reached the point where they ask , "Are you hurt , is there property damage "?

Answer NO ?

 " Doesn't matter then " !  They take no notes and show you the door !

Yesterday in Tirol , Austria , just such an occasion :

1045am eastbound on B171 in sunny , dry conditions about 100M inside the 60kph zone , as i was passed by a grey opel 4 door , the wing mirror was folded back by a touch on my body . The driver was so intent on turning into the RHS side street that i had to go around with them , as i beat my closed fist on the passenger window . Wearing a bright green wind jacket with orange parcel on the tri bars , it would be a BLIND driver that was unable to see me !

Having come to a stop , in a way that a person might make a U turn , i went around the front of the opel to speak to the driver . She looked at me , looked to see the road was clear and drove off in the easterly direction . Fortunately she arrived in a traffic queue , so that i was able to catch up and bang the window and indicate to pull over . She ignored this and as the traffic started  , she drove away with the following truck banging on his klaxon indicating his impatience .

Local Polizei Officer ( in 50s thus not taught English at school ) unable to speak precise English , did as i requested , called for English Speaking help . Though i only lost half an hour , it would appear that Austria Law will not allow me driver details and since they took no detail , for them the matter is of NO CONSEQUENCE !

THIS driver will continue to behave in a similar manner until she leaves someone for DEAD ! The Polizei will appeal for " Witnesses / the perpetrator THEN , but what can be expected until the Traffic Laws are reviewed ? Polizei handcuffed by regulation is the NIGHTMARE of the Vulnerable !

Are YOU supposed to call an Ambulance , each time you are touched by /or sent flying off the bike with no apparent damage , by a VEHICLE ? Seems to be the ONLY course left in order to get an OFFICIAL record of an event such as these !

At 68yo , i have ridden more than 7000km this year , including the bulk of the " Tirreno-Adriatico ProWorld Road Race . I am not found riding less than 35kph unless uphill , so there is NO EXCUSE for a following Vehicle to claim iam impeding their progress !

As an advocate for " Physically Challenged Sport " i am known in many Sports , i have NO WISH to join their ranks , nor wear a wooden overcoat !

As a matter of course i try to find those that cause me grief on the road ! I follow them into the Client they are delivering/ collecting , follow to their Depot or House . There i explain in plain language the consequences of their thoughtless behaviour , remind them that since they do not see the front of the Cyclist , it could very well be Members of their FAMILY or their Church , then ask them HOW THEY WOULD FEEL ?

Very few take the " Couldn't care less approach " , some Company Management will ask for the Polizei to be called , thinking that this will result in the matter going away . What many Truck Company Executives need to remember is that their Drivers when involved in a Road death , COULD be considered for a "Corporate Manslaughter Charge " !  When a few of these hit the Headlines , it will be TOO LATE for the Cyclist/Pedestrian involved , but perhaps it may result in a rewrite of the Road Codes allowing for STIFFER Penalties !

Recently i remarked on an anomaly in the UK Road Code ! It allowed for those Cretins who leave a Person for DEAD after a " Coward Pass ( hit & run ) , then " hand themselves in " after Sobering Up/ Drug Use disipating , thus being charged with " Leaving the Scene,etc " with a minimal sentence , rather than risking the 14 years for " Death by Dangerous driving ,etc "!

YES it is " Human Nature " to save your neck , but the " Testing Facilities " are there which can detect and extrapolate the usuage many days later ! YES it costs MONEY and locking up ther perp does not bring back the VICTIM !

Do we have to wait until it is the Family of a Prominaent Politician before there is ACTION ?



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Sunday, February 2, 2014

Vision-ZERO-Worldwide

THE correct Link to the PAGE :

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Vision-ZERO-Worldwide/540123632761709

with the effort to get the Graphics created , i made several mistakes . It appears that you can GOOGLE the Title . At present it is the 3rd item , that comes up on my computer , not necessarily for others ? Once i have the French & Italian translations available , i will return to Sterndruck.at , to rectify the facebook address !

Worldwide , the " COWARD PASS ( hit & run ) " and " BULLYING PASS ( near miss of mm ) " is on the increase , as shown by the number of Media Reports ! Would it be that Media , are ONLY NOW realising that these problems have been there for decades ?

The Times of London have been straddling the fence in recent days with their input . On the one hand , they created " Cities fit for Cycling " , after the near fatal collision , involving their staff member , Mary Bowes , whose perpetrator got off LIGHTLY , when prosecuted in Court during 2013 . In recent days they carried a report about interaction of Cyclists with Pedestrians . The Headline left Pedestrians and Drivers , thinking that Cyclists , were responsible for collisions with Pedestrians ! Those who read the article carefully saw that the Collisions , took place on the ROADWAY , not on the pavement !

Since when can a pedestrian wander off the pavement , without looking , perhaps fiddling with their Cell phone / Ipad /electronic device , and expect the road to be EMPTY ? Reports suggest the " Transport for London Buses are involved with a DAILY " Killed or Seriously Injured Incident "!

My tweets on this subject :
With TFL Buses having a Daily KSI, can you name TODAY'S VICTIM? WHEN will U START "VisionZEROLondon"? When U R PM? START NOW!

Credit is due to BoJo as he has tackled the UK Government about Larger HGV s which are seeking to use UK Roads :
  1. With TFL Buses having a Daily KSI, can you name TODAY'S VICTIM? WHEN will U START "VisionZEROLondon"? When U R PM? START NOW!
    1. U think 130 FPN will cause fit of Safety Equip ? UK full of Gambler! 1000+ will DO JOB! 1 1/2M SAfePass
Frankly , there is one clear solution to STOPPING these Huge HGV s from entering London , sTOP them at the Ferry Ports !  A few white lines painted on the approach to the Customs / Immigration Control Office , with overhead CCTV Cameras will record the Reg.# of the vehicle and their OVERSIZE , so there is no later dispute with regard to Legal Action entered into by the Inconvenienced Parties :
Have Problem with UK Does NOT let them on FERRY! Might not RIGHT!

Around the Christmas Period there was a period of " Victim Bashing " , when the Authorities THOUGHT it a GOOD IDEA to launch " Operation SAFEWAY "! 35 times as many Cyclists were Stopped and " fined" by " Police Officers " , ill equipped to handle the situation ! rather than encouraging cooperation with CYCLISTS , they demonstrated that the POLICE had in most cases NO IDEA , what the " Highway Code " had to say about " Cycling " ! Result of this INEPT Operation was it being labelled " #OpGRIM" by ALL concerned . In addition , the 1999 Guidelines on Fixed Penalty Notices , were dug out and reissued :
  1. in 2012 1 UK ped kill/Cyclist & 253/ DRIVE! BIAS? NO? 1 eye Police ATTITUDE To Cyclist! WRONG !

Many Cycling Safety Org.s wrote to the Policing Authorities as a result of "#OpGrim " and my Tweet was:
This is my response to the Group's Great work : DO LIKEWISE Folks ?A letter to Sir Hugh Orde : " info@acpo.pnn.police.ukSir , In respons…

More resulted as the story grew :

  1. NOW highlights the UNIVERSAL Cycling Safety Problem that YOU ALL FAIL !

SINCE I HAVE HAD NO REPLIES , or even RT (retweet ) , the minions are sifting out the message to their Principals ? When it happens to THEIR Family , what then ?

Demonstrating that Social Media has consequences , was the prosecution in Norfolk of a woman that Tweeted about her " BULLYING PASS " , which gained her International notoriety , lost her , her Job and emptied her pockets ! Luckily for her , it was not a " COWARD PASS " , which could have seen her in Jail !  

Today we have another case of "TWEETING Stupidity " , the man involved drives his Employers vehicle , the SOUTH Australian Police , his Employers and a variety of Cycling Safety Org.s are ALL alerted . What chance does he have of sitting in the truck on monday ( t/row ) , let alone driving it , as he is employed to do ? How many more out there like him , that carry THAT Attitude ?

Currently there is a Petition in Australia , started in Tassie as a result of the " Coward Pass " on a young Rower , out on the training Cycle ride , backed by @AmyGillettFdn . ALL that is being asked for , is 1M safe Pass to be a Federal LAW ! With the EU having 1 1/2M in place , it is disappointing that Australian Law Makers are reluctant to aCT ! Time the gutless led by @tonyabbottmhr , got around to recognising the interesting fact that 4 million Aussies ride REGULARLY and that 7.3 MILLION bikes were sold in a period of 2007 to 2011 , as reported here :

http://www.examiner.com.au/story/2057704/cyclists-fight-uphill-battle-to-gain-respect/

The CPS , that bunch of spineless individuals , that the hard pressed Police Officers have come to " despise/ hate " , decided to go for " reduced charges " since they wanted a 100% proof prosecution rather than prefer a variety , so that the Magistrate could choose the level of PENALTY to impose !

Too often now the " Policing Authorities " are finding that they wish to meet the Public's wish for MEANINGFUL Sentencing for " Road Crimes " , yet the CPS ( Criminal Prosecuting service ) decide to go for lower Penalties in order to get ANY CONVICTION ! " Jury Blaming " is not acceptable , as an excuse , the JUDICIARY , should be instructing the Jurors to set aside THEIR FEELINGS , they are there to decide THE LAW and the appropriate decision as to whether it has been broken ! THEY are NOT there to decide WHAT PENALTY THEY WOULD WISH TO RECEIVE , if in the same situation ! Read the Media articles , then ask yourself , " WHAT WERE THEY THINKING "?

In the light of this MESS , the CPS and the Juries attitude to those being Prosecuted , the CTC ( Cycling Touring Club Charity ) has created the following Petition :

http://www.roadjustice.org.uk/police-petition

Hopefully the Authorities will respond FAVOURABLY ?


With Police Officers , reported to say "
“you cyclists take your lives into your own hands”.

Can CYCLISTS , after bing "skittled " expect an overnight change in the attitude of " Institutionalised Neglect "?

DOUBTFUL !











The PETITION :


Petition the police: the recommendations

Road Justice: the role of the police highlights failures of the police and the lack of resources available to support road traffic policing. These must be addressed to help improve safety for cyclists.
The report sets out the following 10 recommendations including how will we know when we have succeeded.



Click here to go back to the petition.




















































Additional Cycling Specific rules applicable in Adelaide , Australia :

CYCLING SPECIFIC ROAD RULES  :  http://m.couriermail.com.au/news/national/how-drivers-and-cyclists-are-doing-battle-on-daily-commute-on-adelaides-roads/story-fnii5yv5-1226815871934



HAND signals must be given when turning right

CYCLISTS may ride in an emergency stopping lane unless prohibited by a sign

CYCLISTS cannot ride more than two abreast unless overtaking.

WHEN riding two abreast riders should not be more than 1.5m apart.

CYCLISTS may ride in bicycle, tram, bus and transit lanes unless prohibited by a NO BICYCLES sign

CYCLISTS must ride in the bicycle lane unless it is impractical to do so

ONLY a rider of a bicycle who is under 12 years of age may ride on a footpath

THE rider of a bicycle must wear an approved bicycle helmet

AT night the bicycle must have a flashing or steady white light that is clearly visible for at least 200 metres from the front of the bicycle; and a flashing or steady red light that is clearly visible for at least 200 metres from the rear of the bicycle

CYCLISTS must not lead an animal while riding a bicycle either on a path or a road.







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