The problem (or not) with cycling

In the past fortnight 6 cyclists have died on our capital's (London's) roads.

Closer to home a 50-year-old cyclist from St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex died after a hit and run collision on the A21 Robertsbridge bypass. 

These are sobering headlines that highlight the dangers of cycling on Britain's roads........

I love cycling, I have found it a great way to keep fit and see some of our magnificent countryside. There is nothing I enjoy more than getting up early on a Sunday morning to make the best use of our empty roads, in fact the only people one might see for miles is another cyclist. However our roads aren't always so quiet and at times it can feel quite nerve-racking, especially when you have vehicles motoring past you at 50mph+.

In recent days the pro-cycling and anti-cycling brigades have been very vocal...

The pro-cycling camp have vented their frustrations by calling for a ban on Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) on London roads in the daytime, they have called for more cycle lanes and have ranted at ignorant drivers.
The anti-cycling camp have called for cycling to be banned, they have used the old "They don't pay any road tax" line and have ranted at ignorant cyclists. The truth in my view is that both sides are right, and wrong.

Banning HGV's from London's roads would not have prevented 3 of the 6 recent deaths from happening, unfortunately 2 people died after collisions with buses and 1 person died after colliding with a coach. 
More cycle lanes won't help either, just painting white lines on roads and pavements is pretty useless, and nobody has invented a force field yet!

On the other hand calling for cycling to be banned is just stupid and the "They don't pay any road tax" is just as pointless. There hasn't been a road tax for decades, it is a vehicle excise duty which is based on engine size and on the pollution that the vehicle emits. The other reason that the tax argument fails is because many cyclists also drive, own cars and pay excise duty.

Both sides complain about the others' ignorant and dangerous behavior. I have been knocked into by van drivers, passed extremely closely by idiots going too fast and seen drivers go through red lights. By the same token I have seen cyclists riding 3 or 4 abreast, I have seen cyclists pass lorries and buses on the inside, I have also seen cyclists ride straight through red lights.

There needs to be some common sense from both sides.....

Yes, I would like to see more cycle lanes, but they need to be physically separated from other road users; however this shouldn't be at the expense of other road schemes. For example the A27 from Polegate to Lewes in East Sussex is a dangerous road, this was highlighted last night when another motorist died. The Government and the Highways Agency have failed to upgrade the road over many years (in my view a dual carriageway is needed), but the highways agency was willing to spend £1 million on a separate cycle-path that only stretches for 1 mile near Lewes. Why not upgrade the road and add a new cycle-path in the process?

Drivers need to have more consideration for cyclists and vise versa. While we're at it cyclists need to respect pedestrians and pathways too!

I read in a blog that one HGV had 'OFFSIDE' written on the right mudflap and  'SUICIDE' on the left, it is a simple, yet effective message

I hate too many laws and legislation, but one piece of legislation could be brought in very quickly, that is ALL cyclists must wear cycle helmets when cycling on public roads and cycle paths. It isn't rocket science, but motorists and cyclists need to look out for one another, because it is those left behind who have to deal with the aftermath.

Social media reaction to the passing of 'The Iron Lady'

I try to stay away from politics on Facebook (I leave that to my Twitter account), however some of the sentiments posted on Facebook and Twitter regarding Lady Thatcher's death are truly appalling. 

I can understand that opinions on Margaret Thatcher are very divided and that there are people who didn't like her politics or her as a person, however to mock the death of anyone is beyond the pale. Examples of these hateful comments include Derek Hatton, a former deputy leader of Liverpool city council, he wrote: "The issue isn't about whether she is now dead, I regret for the sake of millions of people that she was ever born." 

Mark Steel, the left wing Radio 4 comedian (I use the term loosely) tweeted: “What a terrible shame – that it wasn’t 87-years earlier.” However whilst many of her old adversaries appeared to revel in her passing, colleagues of Arthur Scargill, the former leader of the National Union on Mineworkers, said he was unlikely to make any public comment and that is how it should be. The Shadow International Development Secretary Ivan Lewis urged all Labour supporters to respond to her death with “dignity and respect”.

Irrespective of ones political persuasion, people should remember that an elderly statesman of this Country died today and our thoughts should be with her family. 

Although Lady Thatcher died of a stroke she also had dementia, this is a truly horrid disease that is distressing for the sufferer and for their family. Can you image not recognizing your loved ones and being scared because you are unfamiliar with your surroundings? I have worked with people suffering from Alzheimer's disease and dementia, I have seen the impact that these diseases have on the sufferer, their friends and family, I can quite honestly say that dementia is one of the cruelest diseases suffered by so many. 

The former Labour leader and Prime Minister James Callaghan passed away in 2005 and I don't recall people being so damn right rude. He was a Prime Minister who presided over a government that virtually bankrupted this Country. He had to ask the IMF for a bailout, gave us (with the unions) the "Winter of discontent" and was forced to call a general election in 1979 after losing a vote of no confidence in the House of Commons. Yet when he passed away people rightly paid their respects.

People on the left side of the political spectrum constantly preach about equality and diversity, and the need to respect others views (which I believe are a good set of principles), however this only appears to apply if you agree with their political leanings. So for crying out loud if you don't have anything respectful to say....don't say it. (Right then rant over)

1st Half Marathon

Well that's done it!!

I've entered the Eastbourne Half Marathon.

Having never run more than 10 miles (well not in one go) I've decided to go for just over 13. Still the training is going well and I ran 10 miles on Saturday 4th February, however I didn't realise just how addictive running can be. It seems to occupy my mind several times a day!!

I have also found that it's a great way of thinking clearly whilst dodging puddles and dog walkers.

So if you feel like it please sponsor me via uk.virginmoneygiving.com/TonyFreebody
I am raising money for the East Sussex Association Of Blind And Partially Sighted People (ESAB). ESAB works with over 1,700 local people who are blind or partially sighted and offer clients information, training and support.   ESAB want their clients to have the same opportunities as sighted people, to be more confident and knowledgeable and have increased choice and control in their lives. 

They also deliver vision awareness training for carers, local businesses and community groups.  This helps the wider community understand how they can help people with a visual impairment to overcome some of the problems they face.

There are many different causes of blindness and people experience their sight loss in different ways. This is why ESAB focuses on individuals and develops a Seeing the Future plan with each client to identify their aims and how they can support them to achieve these.

Many of ESAB’s clients are over the age of 65 but they are working with increasing numbers of younger people.

For more information about ESAB visit eastsussexblind.org