Join the CTC

"Keith Wootten" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Pedal peeps,

I joined the CTC in 2001 after reading here about a pro bono case they'd
taken on involving a young cyclist injured while cycling in a bus lane.
I'd never really heard much about them before, but thought that I should
support an organisation which looked out for the interests of cyclists.
I'm a commuter, and while I enjoy this, I don't really have any interest
in leisure cycling or organised events.

In September last year I was hit by a car on my way home. I was going
down a hill when a car coming up turned right across my path (was he on
the 'phone, I wonder, I'm big enough to see). It was daylight and I was
wearing my usual reflective jacket. There was nothing I could do but
brake in vain, hit the car and embed myself in the road. I was probably
knocked out for a few seconds and an ended up in an ambulance to be taken
the 400 yards to A&E. [1][2]

The driver stopped. It wasn't his fault of course, but at least he
stopped and was insured. The police attended and interviewed me in
hospital. X-rays, nothing broken, lots of blood, five hours in A&E,
stitches, head like a large blue balloon, a couple of days off work,
unable to cycle for a month (couldn't look round properly), bruised,
battered and generally beaten up.

The CTC took on the case through their solicitors. Any member would
recognise the name of the solicitor as he writes regularly in the
magazine - he's the Main Man. I can't fault the way in which the affair
was handled. The case was eventually settled out of court and I received
what I regard to be a fair settlement - I'm sure that, had I not been a
member and relied upon a non-specialist, my compensation would have been
much smaller.

I'm back on the bike, perhaps a little more apprehensive than before, but
this will fade, I think. I'm 50 now, so it's not too bad an average.

So, for what it's worth, I'd advise anyone who cycles regularly to join
the CTC. Sincerely.

<snip> <snip>

Quoted message said:

Cheers
--
Keith Wootten

My circumstances were very similar ( no blood but 3 broken ribs) and the
reaction from CTC was, likewise, extremely good. I am pleased to be a
member for that reason alone but, despite not totally agreeing with some of
its policies, it is a well established "force to be reckoned with" in
cycling circles. ( and the 3rd party insurance isn't to be sneezed at).

Quoted message said:

So, for what it's worth, I'd advise anyone who cycles regularly to join
the CTC.> So, for what it's worth, I'd advise anyone who cycles regularly
to join

--
the CTC.
Trevor A Panther
In South Yorkshire,
England, United Kingdom.
www.tapan.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

Quoted message said:

My circumstances were very similar ( no blood but 3 broken ribs) and the
reaction from CTC was, likewise, extremely good. I am pleased to be a
member for that reason alone but, despite not totally agreeing with someof
its policies, it is a well established "force to be reckoned with" in
cycling circles. ( and the 3rd party insurance isn't to be sneezed at).

Quoted message said:

So, for what it's worth, I'd advise anyone who cycles regularly to join
the CTC.> So, for what it's worth, I'd advise anyone who cycles regularly
to join

--
the CTC.
Trevor A Panther
In South Yorkshire,
England, United Kingdom.
www.tapan.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

No doubt these are excellent examples of the benefits of becoming a
member of the CTC but, as a regular commuter, I still find it hard to
justify a £33 a year subscription. Maybe I'm just being unreasonably
tight and could be persuaded...

"scott135" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

No doubt these are excellent examples of the benefits of becoming a
member of the CTC but, as a regular commuter, I still find it hard to
justify a £33 a year subscription. Maybe I'm just being unreasonably
tight and could be persuaded...

£33 a year is peanuts when it comes down to the time you find you *need* the
experience of the CTC to help you when you've been knocked off your bike and
you and/or your bike has broken bits.

My husband was victim of a hit-and-run, where he was injured (thankfully
relatively minor, but still some effects now even though it's well over a
year later) and bike was damaged. The CTC got on the case and my husband is
compensated financially through a claim against the Motor Insurers Bureau
(not sure if this totally correct name). How many people are aware that you
don't need an identified driver to be able to make a claim to make good your
losses? The CTC swung into action. As well as the excellent legal services
the CTC provides, I value its campaigning to protect the rights of cyclists
to be on the road, as these rights are under a seeming constant barrage
these days, epsecially as regards the proposed changes to the Highway Code
which would be seriously adverse for cyclists, effectively forcing cyclists
to use inadequate and dangerous cycling 'facilities' rather than be on the
road.

I'm more than happy to pay my annual fee to the CTC... this family *knows*
the benefit of membership up close and personal.

Cheers, helen s

scott135 said:

No doubt these are excellent examples of the benefits of becoming a
member of the CTC but, as a regular commuter, I still find it hard to
justify a £33 a year subscription. Maybe I'm just being unreasonably
tight and could be persuaded...

Surely the fact that it's the largest, most active pro-cycling body in
the UK e.g. current Highway Code revisions campaign, is reason enough
on it's own for a regular commuter, never mind the 3rd party insurance
and legal back-up. And who knows, you just might try cycle touring one
day 😉

Quoted message said:

but, as a regular commuter, I still find it hard to
justify a £33 a year subscription. Maybe I'm just being unreasonably
tight and could be persuaded...

The insurance is worth, ooooh, prolly bugger all if you're insured through
house insurance, while the solicitor types are prolly really really good at
cyclist stuff, just like the other cycle-specific lawyers out there (cross
fingers).

A possible problem is that they have a relatively small membership
(compared to, say, the AA) and so haven't got the same economies of scale.
This is compounded by their having moved towards a more campaigning stance,
which'll soak up funds nicely.

I find £33 a bit steep, but then a) I'm a poor student, so find
*everything* a bit expensive and b) I get it for £12.

Other family members and the wageless and wrinkies get it for £20, or £53
for the whole family, so that's not too bad. If I was earning proper wages
the £33 would come out of beer money no probs.

Mark Thompson said:

Quoted message said:

but, as a regular commuter, I still find it hard to
justify a £33 a year subscription. Maybe I'm just being unreasonably
tight and could be persuaded...

Taking a WIIFM approach, I see little tangible except the fantastic
legal aid. But for the intangibles, I am a member primarily because I
support their campaigning (I don't necessarily agree with every last
detail but I am extremely supportive of the general thrust)

I feel that in the long term the campaigning will bring more benefits
for all cyclists than the direct and immediate benefits (and I'd still
like to be able to cycle happily on the roads when I am old and wrinkly
too.) So I am more than happy to shell out what is a fairly modest
subscription to support them.

...d

Keith Wootten said the following on 29/06/2006 23:52:

Quoted message said:

when a car coming up turned right across my path

Quoted message said:

It wasn't his fault of course

Have I misread something? These two statements seem to contradict each
other!

--
Paul Boyd
http://www.paul-boyd.co.uk/

Paul Boyd said:

Keith Wootten said the following on 29/06/2006 23:52:

Quoted message said:

when a car coming up turned right across my path

Quoted message said:

It wasn't his fault of course

Have I misread something? These two statements seem to contradict each
other!

NEVER in the eyes of a motorist :-(

John B

Paul Boyd said:

Keith Wootten said the following on 29/06/2006 23:52:

Quoted message said:

when a car coming up turned right across my path

Quoted message said:

It wasn't his fault of course

Have I misread something? These two statements seem to contradict each
other!

Irony. It's never their fault.

--
Dave...

Paul Boyd said:

Keith Wootten said the following on 29/06/2006 23:52:

Quoted message said:

when a car coming up turned right across my path

Quoted message said:

It wasn't his fault of course

Have I misread something? These two statements seem to contradict each
other!

Irony. It's never their fault.

--
Dave...

dkahn400 said the following on 30/06/2006 10:41:

Quoted message said:

Irony. It's never their fault.

Doh!!! I must have had my literal head on. Better get back to working,
I guess :-(

--
Paul Boyd
http://www.paul-boyd.co.uk/

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

No doubt these are excellent examples of the benefits of becoming a

member of the CTC but, as a regular commuter, I still find it hard to
justify a £33 a year subscription. Maybe I'm just being unreasonably
tight and could be persuaded...<<

Well, you do get a magazine thrown in, better than any of the
commercial magazines in the UK or in other countries, and which
answers to the members, rather than its advertisers.

And there is its network of local bike clubs, a.k.a. the DAs and
Sections

What did the Romans ever do for us?

Jeremy Parker

Thus spake Keith Wootten:
<Snipped>

Quoted message said:

[1] I was near the hospital. As it happens, a non-emergency ambulance
was not too far behind me and patched me up, but couldn't take me to
hospital - wrong type of ambulance. They did however call the police,
the emergency ambulance, and take my bike home for me!

[2] No, I never have and still don't wear a helmet. Yes, it may well
have reduced the severity of the injuries in this case.

Cheers
--
Keith Wootten

Thanks for the gentle push to rejoin after an absence of 10yrs - did it
online.

As for helmet wearing, it is & should remain a personal decision. I'm
currently using one but got out of the habit for well over a year & came
'round in an ambulance (to the surprise of the crew) & ended up in A&E. I
lost so much blood, my 1st request were cups of tea! I spent the following
week being constantly reminded what inadequately hoovered carpets smell
like.

I was very recently hit by a Discovery turning right across my path at a
junction where I ended up sitting on the deck nursing a bruised elbow, hip &
shoulder; a distorted rear wheel & frame. This prompted me to replace a
helmet that had worn out. Despite some humming & ha'ing, the driver paid me
what I requested last week but still hasn't had the courage to start riding
their bike again - may they do so soon.

--
Basically, I hate people who preface nearly every sentence with the word
'basically'!

Jeremy Parker said:

Well, you do get a magazine thrown in, better than any of the
commercial magazines in the UK or in other countries

Your forgot to add "except for Velovision"...

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

"Peter Clinch" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Jeremy Parker said:

Well, you do get a magazine thrown in, better than any of the
commercial magazines in the UK or in other countries

Your forgot to add "except for Velovision"...

Pete.

And also the magazine is not as "friendly" towards electric bikes as AtoB
Magazine

Paul

in message <[email hidden]>, Paul

Murphy (') said:

"Peter Clinch" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Jeremy Parker said:

Well, you do get a magazine thrown in, better than any of the
commercial magazines in the UK or in other countries

Your forgot to add "except for Velovision"...

And also the magazine is not as "friendly" towards electric bikes as
AtoB Magazine

Is it also 'not as "friendly"' to thousand hordepower Hondakawazukis as
AtoB magazine? I mean, let's be clear about this, AtoB is about
commuting. It's reasonable for a commuting magazine to look at different
solutions to commuting, including motorised solutions. But _Cycling_ and
_VeloVision_ are about cycling, not about motorised travel, Why /should/
they be "friendly" to motorised travel?

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

'You cannot put "The Internet" into the Recycle Bin.'

Simon Brooke said:

Is it also 'not as "friendly"' to thousand hordepower Hondakawazukis as
AtoB magazine? I mean, let's be clear about this, AtoB is about
commuting.

Is it?

It seems to this subscriber to be a magazine about alternative
transport. I've never seen A2B publish a piece about "thousand
hordepower Hondakawazukis".

The subjects they cover are primarily folding bikes, bike trailers,
electric bikes, and train travel with bikes. Also comment and
campaigning on the politics that surround these kind of transport
modes.

This issue they have an article about travel around the British
coastline by ferry, along with the second part of a hub gear round up,
an Islabike review, an innovative bike pump multi-test and a homebrew
brompton backpack. There's plenty more too, but none of it relating to
thousand horsepower motorbikes.

"Bob"
--

Email address is spam trapped, to reply directly remove the beverage.

On Sun, 02 Jul 2006 09:17:44 +0100 someone who may be Simon Brooke
<[email hidden]> wrote this:-

Quoted message said:

Is it also 'not as "friendly"' to thousand hordepower Hondakawazukis as
AtoB magazine?

I have never seen such an article in AtoB. I do have a copy of every
issue of the magazine (and its predecessor) in my bookshelves.

There was an article about small motorbikes of some sort a year or
so back. It didn't seem to be very popular, judging by the letters
pages.

Quoted message said:

I mean, let's be clear about this, AtoB is about commuting.

Not particularly. "Bob" has said what it is about.

--
David Hansen, Edinburgh
I will *always* explain revoked encryption keys, unless RIP prevents me
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/00023--e.htm#54