Tackling the right issues head on

There seems to be a perhaps not so odd trend to try and ignore potent, but not so convenient facts when trying to push a cause and/or steer public behaviour. But in the very odd hope that people do not have eyes of their own, and brains to figure out what is affecting them the most.

Hence I fully understand why it is a good eco thing to holiday in Britain but, as I have mentioned before, beyond the weather (maybe self-correcting), the sheer cost is a massive factor in our family decisions. Beyond sitting in a tent on the Wye and eating home-cooked sausages (very nice but after four years a bit of a chore... and bore), the money one blows is prohibitive vs. a bit of sun, sea and sand overseas.

And then there's cycling. I really have not one thing to say against it on almost any basis, though the realities of a 5 mile ride up and down hills in a winter rainstorm to and from work seems to make some advocacy 'optimistic'.

However, there is one thing I'm afraid a few public service campaigns will not sway me on, and that's safety. And when it comes to my kids, that is a problem, no matter how many BBC slots on kids cycling get aired.

Yesterday I decided to take my boys on the road for the first time, them having passed their cycling proficiency. Before it was a 10 minute drive to their chum's house. This time it was 30 minutes. Nice weather. Glorious. And in having to go to a fro twice I got a work out.

Thing is, as we returned and pedalled slowly but surely in convoy up a long hill to town, I was almost knocked off by a clown who just had to get past to then immediately turn left across my bow and then, worse, a psycho decided the car he was following as it approached us at a legal 30mph needing overtaking. He only just got back into his lane as he reached my boys and I.

Short of cars being banned, which ain't gonna happen, and dangerous driving being enforced by police and not revenue robots, which has long since passed into the stuff of bad humour, and actual criminals being prosecuted rather than soft money targets, I don't think I am going to be letting my kids loose on this country's roads alone.

No matter how many boxes may get ticked trying to persuade me.

Life Cycle

Cycling proficiency for the 21st century
'Only 2% of children currently cycle to school compared with 50% in 1969.'

I do wonder if that may in part be anything to do with the distance that many kids are now from their designated school, and the assault course that is the UK road system they would need to attempt to cycle to it. And once there, the provisions for dealing with being soaked to the skin.

But I am sure a nice shiny Comms trick between Government and compliant (nice COI campaign ad revenue follows, no doubt) media will have all of us rushing our little loved ones onto to their Raleighs. Or maybe not. But at least boxes will have been ticked everywhere, including Broadcasting House.

I did have to laugh at yesterday's BBC Dog's Breakfast 'News', when the 'reporter' on this 'story' cited, without irony, his taxi driver's feelings on the subject en route to advocating that our children should be daily obliged to embrace this mode of transport to get to and from school. Not so practical for the rest of us, then? Or maybe just too dangerous, time consuming and dirty for most adults with things to do, people to see...

Walking the walk so others can talk

Today is a very interesting day to be reading this:

Parents who park near schools may be fined

Every school day, rain or shine (barring monsoons), I walk the boys to school. I do it because we are relatively near, it gives us a chance to chat... and I enjoy the exercise. Where possible, and time permitting, I also meet them at the end of the school day to stroll back.

But today, despite clement weather, we are going by car.

Why? Because they are going on trip, and I am afraid I don't see how to get them, much earlier, to school to meet the coach along with a suitcase and ruscksack apiece.

It's not practical. Just as it is not practical for some others to do it daily. And the BBC blonde and bouffant (and reporter - I just heard him tell us what his cabby said en route to the story!) seemed to feel it would not be for them. While it is for our kids. As to safety, kids are to be 'trained'. And doubtless there is a nice little extra group who can be hired to act as councilors to those who have suffered a loss those another group has be tasked to 'encourage':

Parents could face fines...

Powers come into force...

...all councils will have to collect information...

...every authority will have to develop school "travel plans" to meet tough targets...

The theory is sound. Typically the practices is being managed cack-handedly with breath-taking hypocrisy and a stunning simplistic dismissal of the dangers posed by kids being forced onto busy roads. As I wrote to the BBC just now:

Interesting that the presenters today on kids' cycling did not feel the piece they carried applied to them in any way.

I just loved the reporter mentioning his cabbie's views en route to the story. Irony anyone?

I know it's probably 'just not practical', but if we are to trot out official propaganda (in some papers backed, it seems, by fines!) it should be shown for the latest half-considered nonsense it is.

How can something be deemed OK to apply for kids daily but not media workers? More media churn with no analysis or real critique.

BBC - Cycling tests return to schools

'Children are taught the kind of observation, road positioning and defensive driving tactics that new motorists learn.' - Without the ton of metal to protect them if it all goes pear shaped.

I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike.

So, become an MP.

My cycling Triumph

This all sounds so super and sensible.

Of course cycling is to be admired, and advocated... wherever and whenever possible.

I just wish those that pay my salary (now, who pays for Westminster dwellers' time?) where as cooperative on funding the time I take getting to and fro. They seem only keen on stumping up for time spent working, sadly. Something those who set policy and impose taxes, so most have to cover as much ground in as little time as possible, would be as well to bear in mind.

Enjoy the fresh air and view, mate. I wish I could.

Next thing we know you'll be touring around South America on your trusty Triumph with a full BBC film crew in tow (4x4s are really the only thing practical for all the kit, dontyaknow), blogging the jaunt to raise awareness in all the rest of us for how horrible our lives are... for the environment.

Er, good for you.... on yer bike.