tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post8102596781502748806..comments2024-03-28T11:13:48.581+00:00Comments on i b i k e l o n d o n: We did it! The Tour du Dangeribikelondonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06978714126105951294noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-59488036431384847962012-06-16T19:00:51.177+01:002012-06-16T19:00:51.177+01:00Well, Joel C, while I do not dispute your claim to...Well, Joel C, while I do not dispute your claim to be "a cyclist of many years", it would appear that you haven't been paying attention to the science. Pieces of sweaty plastic are only of use for low speed impacts, such as experienced by pedestrians falling over on the footway. Helmets confer little benefit to cyclists hit by motor vehicles. This is amply reflected by the fact that very few people wear helmets in the Netherlands. Cycling is a safe occupation, and it isn't made significantly safer by wearing a helmet. There are indeed dangers specifically associated with wearing helmets.<br /><br />By all means wear a helmet if you wish, but ride as if you don't wear one and please don't expect it to be of the slightest benefit.amoebahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15783694650121687459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-5260765962655977512012-06-16T18:45:11.309+01:002012-06-16T18:45:11.309+01:00Whilst i applaud the sentiment, as a cyclist of ma...Whilst i applaud the sentiment, as a cyclist of many years I find it ludicrous that a demonstration focused around cycle safety allows so many to participate without helmets.Joel Cnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-87340759881820993862011-11-18T17:49:39.533+00:002011-11-18T17:49:39.533+00:00Wow! What a turnout! Congrats to everyone who rode...Wow! What a turnout! Congrats to everyone who rode for such a great cause. Even the BBC covered the event. What great exposure.<br />Sophie Hobson, deputy editor, LondonlovesBusinessSophie Hobsonhttp://www.londonlovesbusiness.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-85377901299463250332011-11-14T13:38:24.856+00:002011-11-14T13:38:24.856+00:00anyone who wants to push for 'go dutch' to...anyone who wants to push for 'go dutch' to be part of the labour manifesto - write to val shawcross and tell her that!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-41175368822808294662011-11-14T12:37:19.536+00:002011-11-14T12:37:19.536+00:00Very impressed to see this event get top story on ...Very impressed to see this event get top story on the BBC London News on Saturday night. <br /><br />Well done everyone!<br /><br />AdamAdam Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07513976635238496309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-81257699624023334552011-11-14T12:29:38.933+00:002011-11-14T12:29:38.933+00:00@Jo: what little cycling infrastructure has been p...@Jo: what little cycling infrastructure has been put in place so far by TfL, i.e. the Barclays Superhighways and Hire bikes, irrespective of how imperfect they are, were set in motion under Ken. Boris only scooped up the publicity. That is why I refuse to call the hire bikes "Boris bikes", AFAIK he didn't do anything in favour of cycling apart from posing with Kelly Brooks at the useless Skyrides.<br /><br />I occasionally see Ken walk his dog near where I live, I'll say hello and try have a chat about cycling with him next time!<br /><br />To all involved with the "Tour du Danger": well done all, an amazing coup! Wish I could have been there...Nicohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05451083510383812797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-51678173169652553572011-11-14T11:46:50.991+00:002011-11-14T11:46:50.991+00:00Thanks everyone for your kind messages. The ride ...Thanks everyone for your kind messages. The ride really wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for you all coming!<br /><br />We'll be keeping the heat turned up on TfL and the Mayor and of course you'll hear about any developments here first!<br /><br />@Richard Carter with regards to numbers, approximately 250 to 300 cyclists set off from Oval. A number of riders joined when we went north of the river - by the time we reached our 10th junction the number was closer to 500. An astonishing turn out for a dangerous ride through a grey November London Saturday!ibikelondonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06978714126105951294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-8504416766827435732011-11-14T11:17:18.702+00:002011-11-14T11:17:18.702+00:00Mark, thanks so much for organising. You and Danny...Mark, thanks so much for organising. You and Danny are stars!<br /><br />My short video of the ride can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHUGh31DxvIelliothttp://twitter.com/els76uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-58912647468322842942011-11-14T10:39:46.106+00:002011-11-14T10:39:46.106+00:00It was indeed a great ride, brilliantly organised,...It was indeed a great ride, brilliantly organised, many thanks to all those involved in creating the event!<br /><br />One question: does anyone have any idea how many of us were there on the day? As a pure guess I would have said a couple of hundred, but it would be good if someone had done a better estimate/count than this.Richard Carternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-23717790487366140052011-11-14T10:33:11.884+00:002011-11-14T10:33:11.884+00:00Well done for organising such a brilliant ride.
I...Well done for organising such a brilliant ride.<br /><br />I do have one question though. What is Ken Livingstone's position on all this? Has he been invited to show support? Has he got a position at all on cycling, apart from the standard line about "encouraging" it?<br /><br />I believe in the past he has come out against the Dutch model on the grounds that London's streets are "too narrow". Is anyone trying to re-educate him?<br /><br />The other problem is that Boris and TfL are not budging an inch from their "smoothing traffic flow" agenda. Mass bike rides do not seem to have the slightest impact on their entrenched views.<br /><br />JoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-49766728921279956842011-11-14T09:18:36.018+00:002011-11-14T09:18:36.018+00:00Thankyou. Kudos. Coming to Melbourne I hope, where...Thankyou. Kudos. Coming to Melbourne I hope, where enforcement of helmet laws has replaced punishment of transport planners for crap and dangerous schemes.crapcyclelaneshttp://www.crapcyclelanesofmelbourne.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-74776682967204328332011-11-14T07:57:22.027+00:002011-11-14T07:57:22.027+00:00It was a wonderful turnout. The numbers establishe...It was a wonderful turnout. The numbers established without doubt a much greater impact. All participants can feel that it was worthwhile and had an impact.<br /><br />However, without the concept, the planning, the organisation and all those involved in getting this event off the ground, it could never have happened.<br /><br />Let's hope that TfL and Boris get the message loud and clear will eventually realise that we are going to fight to the bitter end. If we don't, all the effort will come to nought and in time all this will be forgotten. We need to realise that this just the beginning of things. It seems that TfL just blinked, but we will need more of these events. Impact is important.<br /><br />Public outreach is also important. Drivers need to understand that cyclists are their friends, if they weren't cycling some of them would be driving. <br />We need to highlight the fact that 'fit for purpose' infrastructure that results in safer cycling and increased cycling levels: benefits drivers, pedestrians, residents, employers, small businesses, the NHS and the economy.amoebahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15783694650121687459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-88880909369327840972011-11-14T06:13:32.179+00:002011-11-14T06:13:32.179+00:00Agreed - well done everyone who put this together ...Agreed - well done everyone who put this together - coverage on the news is very valuable for getting the message out to a wider audience.Andreashttp://www.londoncyclist.co.uk/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-36193181333566759352011-11-14T00:16:18.036+00:002011-11-14T00:16:18.036+00:00Congratulations Mark. I still think this is one o...Congratulations Mark. I still think this is one of the most exciting cycling events to take place an a while. Good job, man.<br /><br /><br />DarrylLoving the Bikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18292939935753753863noreply@blogger.com