YOU ARE NOT HURT ! It doesn't MATTER !

Stupidity on the roads , condensed to this , when you visit the firm owning the vehicle ! Polizei in Austria , like elsewhere , will only act if they see the incident ! It is a fair assumption , that there are three sides to and traffic Incident , The driver of the aggressing vehicle , the intimidated victim  AND OF COURSE , the truth as seen by any UNBIASED Witnesses !

Having photoed the location , i will describe in detail the events at 11.15am , today , 3rd October 2013 , in some detail , when i return to the house . Courtesy of a neighbouring village Internet point , i have emailed the owner of the Kreidl Vehicle in Canada ! Vehicle is a white van with reg plates KU-654GW !

Having made my thursday ride to Schwaz , i called on a buddy in Jenbach on the way home . He was delighted to stand in the sun chewing the fat and commented that Friday was going to be as gloomy as the earlier part of the week had been . With that in mind , having dropped off the shopping , i set out for the ride to Kufstein , 32+km east of the house . This normally takes an hour in each direction , give or take depending on wind strengths . Living in a 40kph zone , i regularly catch up with traffic as it snakes through to Rattenberg . Half a kilometre before the Inn river bridge , the road takes a 90 ° left as seen in the photo of the bus , runs a few hundred metres then takes a 90° right and then over the bridge . Cornering at 30kph is assisted by Mirrows positioned at the left turn apex  , i guess for the Buses , but works for most traffic . As usual i was pushing to maximise the speed , so was surprised as i was passing the Camper Van on the RHS to find a van overtaking me . I heard him coming up behind but with less than 100M could not imagine WHY the risk ?

As he came alongside , coming ther other way was a Yellow Bus , thus he FORGOT me and moved right into my path . But then he braked , he had decided to turn left off this road ! He was heading into his EMPLOYERS Premises ! Both manouvers were ill considered , had the Polizei seen this , they would have spoken to him as they asked for his Driving ID ! Having braked hard , i was able to avoid collision with the kerb and his vehicle , but i was able to see the ADVERTISING on his vehicle ! Moreorless in front of me was his Employers Showroom , so i rode the bike in the door .

What follows would be the classic " Faulty Towers Scenario "! Having asked the receptionist for the " Manager / Director " , i was told the owner was in Canada but expected the " next week "! Having asked for the Next senior i was told they were in Innsbruck . Having called for the driver , this " manfred " arrived then realising the situation , proceeded to draw a diagram of the road as he recalled the incident , including the bus. Meanwhile the receptionist was busy complying with my request for the Canadian Email address , so i could alert their Owner to the " Couldn't care less attitude "!

A fellow rolled out of his office behind the reception , in his wheelchair , joined in discussion with the lady then some " Bolshie , designer stubbled guy rolled up shouting the odds "!  Asked if i was hurt , then said " If you are not hurt , Why are you bothering us "? In german it became " RAUS ; RAUS , RAUS , get off our premises ! Told the lady not to give me the email address and then started physically pushing me around !

I may be 68yo , but at 85kg & 1.85M i don't move easily for some pathetic no hoper . When it appeared the driver was going to join the fracas , i decided that no more would be achieved !

Each time a vehicle passes , a Cyclist has no idea who is driving , but most , when confronted will own up to their careless behaviour with apologies . This is perhaps one of the first occasions that someone has tried to physically assault me , on behalf of the driver concerned !

Of course , when you are arriving back at your employers premises , you hardly expect to be confronted by the person , that you just caused grief ? Try " Googling " Kriedl " , i get more out of that source for " Parrabuddy & Skippydetour "!  Perhaps that is the reason , their vehicles ALL have their company name so prominently displayed !

Not being in the need of Bathroom or heating Equipment , i see no possibility of a result from Boycotting their products ! Nor since the polizei did not see the incident , do i expect them to involve themselves . Later i saw that driver thundering through Rattenberg above the posted 40kph , i feel sure that his licence is at risk, BUT , more importantly , when he buries an innocent , he will drag down his Employer on a Corporate Manslaughter Charge ! Only a question of whether it is a Child or Adult that suffers !

More follows

YOU ARE NOT HURT ! It doesn't MATTER !

So you couldn't see ME ?

Sometimes it is necessary to find the Boss , when the driver leaces you at the side of the road !

My letter to remind Company Owners , that they are responsible for the ACTIONS of their Employees !

 "  CEO of Deferser

Sir ,

With distinctive colours on your Vehicles , it is easy to identify your vehicles . For Publicity purposes , this works well , but when your drivers misbehave or are careless with respect to " Vulnerable Road Users ", this comes back to haunt your Management Team ! Some countries in Europe have legislated for Corporate Manslaughter , where a member of the Management Team , can be imprisoned for the actions of a Subordinate !

Returning to Austria after several weeks in Italy with the " Giro d'Italia " , i can tell you , that as a Cyclist , i notice differences . I can also tell you that there are considerable differences in Drivers' Attitudes to Cyclists , in 2013 , as against those in 1999 , when first in Italy for the Giro .

Over several years riding a race bike in the Tirol , i have taken the time to speak or write to various Company Vehicle Owners . Most understand that there is a need to bring to their attention , incidents that cause alarm . What you will appreciate is , that there are TWO Sides to each argument . The Cyclist in every case is going to suffer when in collision with a vehicle . That said , there is a need for Vehicle drivers to remember that Cyclists , have the right to be on the road , bUT more importantly , most own their OWN VEHICLES !

No doubt as CEO of Deferser , you may also be a Leisure Cyclist , you may have Family or Colleagues who would tell you of Riding with Toschnig , Eberharter or Rohrregger . Each of these people , you would hope your vehicles do not cause them injury . What of the Mothers , Daughters , Sons or colleagues , they also deserve the 1 1/2M , that the Road Regs. call on drivers to allow as they pass ,

Today , a Deferser vehicle passed me with less space than required , however , because he did not signal , the following vehicles not only did not see me but hammered their Klaxons , as if it was against the LAW , for me to be on the road . Had your vehicle signalled and given the 1 1/2M , i doubt any of these following drivers would have displayed their ignorance . We will have to accept that some may have been trying to text , but i did see two of these drivers that klaxoned ,  holding their ears , funny how many people use a Cell phone to hold their EARS ?

Returning from Schwaz through Weising , i passed the Mpreis where several of your vehicles were parked . Coming across some drivers finishing their " Pause " , i asked if any spoke english .

The driver of unit 76 , SZ 506yc , said " A little " , so i tried to explain what had happened in the morning , but he took it as critisism of himself . No it was not , nor my intention other than to ask what Deferser's policy was to the Cyclist's Safety .

When he left me i started to write down unit #s , with the intent to write you . Seeing this he stood in front of the Reg plate . Then he got in the cab , started the motor and immediately crept forward in my direction the 5+ metres , requiring me to move immediately out of his path . Normally truck drivers , start the deisel motor , after the key is in the ignition for 30 secs , then allow the motor to warm , not this guy . Bernard was in some kind of a hurry ?

Now i realise that people do not take kindly to being critisied , but this was definitely not correct behaviour .

As to whether you reply to me , or you have a Company Policy in regard to Cyclists , it will come as no surprise , when i tell you that in London there are several Tip truck Companies , that are recorded as causing Multiple Deaths to Cyclists . It has been described as an epidemic and Legislation there is being utilised to attempt to save more Lives from being lost .

Thankyou for your attention to my concerns , i hope they result in more Companies being reminded by you , that Truck drivers need to signal , so that following traffic can avoid being involved in the death of a Cyclist , maybe , even your neighbour ?



This letter will be published in www.skippi-cyclist.blogspot.com


SO , having had lunch i am out for further riding in the warm sunny afternoon . Coming from Brixlegg onto the large Roundabout with the intention to go to Kramsach , i am in the middle of the two lanes and an IMPATIENT Car driver decides to force out into my lane , from Rattenfeld , causing me to swerve left and stay wide in case he continues left , but , he then screeches right into the exit , i was going to use . Meanwhile i have to roll up onto the concrete island to avoid the back of a stopped truck .

No i didn't get the german number plate !

So you couldn't see ME ?

RED BULL ADVERTISING ?

Conspicuous packaging allows people to recognise this product ! The Corporation spends a GREAT Deal of money on Advertising and running " High Profile Events " and Endurance Sport Activities. Good for them and good for sport . When you visit my home you will find some of their product , but i only use it occasionally , most times it is my guests that partake .

Each week i ride my bike , from Kramsach to Schwaz in Tirol , and during that journey , i notice the trash left on the side of the road . So distinctive is the can , that it has to be the No 1 item discarded . Coke plastic bottles are also iconic and to be spotted there amongst less identifiable discards .

Austrian Government agencies have erected Road signs that say in essence " Road 171 , is not a place to leave your rubbish "! Of course there are those who think that tossing their cig butts out the window is keeping their vehicle clean . More likely , they think they are giving someone work , in this day of " unemployment "? Perhaps these are " malcontents " that have a grudge against Red Bull or Coca Cola , who can say ?

When you pick up a Red Bull can , you will see on the bottom back area under the " 250ml " , 3 symbols , " recyclable , trash bin ( Dispose correctly ( Please ) ) and " alu (aluminium ) " . Could these symbols be larger , for the more dense , less thoughtful consumer ? Perhaps in RED instead of the current blue , both colours used in branding the product container .

There is an Enterprise on the outskirts of Schwaz that moves the Bulk Trash in the region , so i called on their office . They are not responsible for these problems but know how to relay my concerns . Of course the local Government Agencies employ street cleaners , i saw two at work in the Schwaz streets , but i guess the area beyond the 50kph speed limit is controlled by another agency ? The " DAKA guy , not only spoke English , but was kind enough to relay my concerns . Those reading Blog Posts , earlier in the year , will recall that i had called on their office suggesting that they use their  Pantechnican Display Vehicle , to " advertise ", the " 1 1/2m passing distance for Cyclists " , not yet dealt with at this time .

As you watch " World Ski Tour Racing " , you will see Lindsay Vonn and Axsel Lund Svindal , wearing the " Red Bull " helmet . Following are my email letters to each !




Dear Lindsey , You will recall being at the " World Tour Final Race Series at Bormio in 2008 . During that time you may remember being approached on the Podium by an Aussie wearing the " Torino Olympic volunteer Uniform "? During our chat you disclosed that you had received a cheque for $10000 , that you passed to the US Para Ski Team . Maybe you will also recall that you allowed me to " buss you " as we parted .

The purpose of this Email is to ask you to consider approaching " Red Bull Management " and ask them to be more " Responsible " for the  " Litter Problem in Austria , their Home ! With the US Ski Team , European Head Quarters being located in the Solden Area , you will have seen the Signs " SS171 is nicht Mull Platz etc "! I have written an Email to RED BULL , but i am sure they will pay more attention to your intercession .

Hope to see you back at St Anton on the Podium , with best wishes for success and GOOD Health in 2013 , i am Skippy .



Dear Axel  , You will recall being at the " Kitzbuhel Race Series in 2008 . During that time you may remember being approached on the Piste by an Aussie wearing the " Torino Olympic volunteer Uniform "?  You were not Racing since you were recovering from an Accident the previous season .During our chat we were passed by several of the Racers who knew my name and greeted us both .


The purpose of this Email is to ask you to consider approaching " Red Bull Management " and ask them to be more " Responsible " for the  " Litter Problem in Austria , their Home ! Travelling in Austria to Solden you will have seen the Signs " SS171 is nicht Mull Platz etc "! I have written an Email to RED BULL , but i am sure they will pay more attention to your intercession .


Hope to see your next Races put you on the Podium again , with best wishes for success and GOOD Health in 2013 , i am Skippy .


Directors of RED BULL

Gentlemen , Your company creates a Product that is enjoyed around the World . Distinctive packaging ensures Instant " Product Recognition "! Spending huge sums on " Sponsoring Events " gives RED BULL , instant Subliminal Advertising . As i ride along SS171 from Kramsach to Schwaz and return , i am thus disappointed to spot so many examples of your product " littering the roadside " ! Having your product in my home , i am aware of the symbols that adorn the rear of these cans . Could be that there are " Malcontents " out there , determined to bring your product into disrepute , could be some people choose to litter their home Country ? Austrian Roads such as the ss171 have road signs " ss171 is nicht Mull etc " , so this is a problem the authorities are trying to address .

Perhaps , your cans could , enlarge the symbols on the rear and print them in RED ? Perhaps you could ask YOUR STARS that wear the RED BULL Insignia to speak out about LITTER and how it diminishes tHEM ? Perhaps you could speak to those responsible for prosecuting " Littering Irresponsible Citizens "? Some of these agencies would enjoy receiving RED BULL Product for assisting RED BULL in solving the " Litter problem "? School Sports Projects could receive RED BULL Product , for turning over " Trashed Cans by the Kilo ? Certainly there are Polizei that see " Littering Drivers " that could take action ?

Personally , i would like to see those thast attempt to litter the countryside , caused to pay a " Fine " but also sentenced to Community Service , working at the " Mull Centre for several weekends wearing a " RED BULL Tabard " so that their neighbours see them , and recognise them for what they are ?

No doubt your staff are as aware of this problem as i have become in the last weeks ? No snow on the road and thus on the verge has allowed me to see the short grass covered in so much litter . Some places , it seems that a " Good Citizen " has made an effort to clear an area , but the local authorities , wash the roadside plastic marker posts , but the litter remains .

RED BULL ADVERTISING ?

Morning Ride in the INNTAL .

Having ridden through from Kramsach to Kufstein and back to Worgl i was nearing home when i came across an austrian Dad on Paternity leave . Having ridden along with him on previous occasions i turned about and went for another jaunt up into the hills north of Worgl .

Yes he is towing a trailor with a child aboard and since he gets along quite quickly we had a pleasant trek though the countryside . During the time together we discussed the way the drivers behave as well as Austrian Tax Laws on " donations " . Not earning an income these days i allow others to make the payment on my behalf thus allowing the tax relief to benefit the registered charity in those countries that do as the UK and return " Tax Paid " to the charity .

Had i been quicker with the camera there would have been a stunning view west over the River INN and the INNTAL .

Morning Ride in the INNTAL .