Today Programme on Cycling - A Tory Travel Mode?

This morning's cycling item on Radio Four's Today programme raised the idea that cycling is a natural Tory past-time. No doubt prompted by the number of Tory MPs who now cycle to work at the House of Commons, correspondent Norman Smith asked Tory MPs what was so "right wing" about cycling.

This intriguing answer emerged from Ed Vasey MP:

The heritage of cycling (is) very much woven into the British character. It's also a right wing issue, because it's about the freedom of the individual. It's about taking one's own action against an over-bearing state.

Setting aside for a minute the vast numbers of Tory councillors we see regularly cycling through Darlington, does this imply that the next Tory government will be challenging the hegemony of the motor car, due to the latter's role as the bastion of our over-bearing state?

Or will this lead to cycle-friendly towns and cities becoming the new bastions of state control, with Tory MPs (and councillors) driving their cars as a statement of individual freedom?

Discuss...

Cyclist killed on A167

Some very sad news. Our thoughts are with the cyclist's families.

A CYCLIST was killed and another seriously injured in a crash with a car today.

Two men were cycling along the A167 Croft Road outside Darlington at 10am when they were involved in a collision with a passing Citroen C4.

The Northern Echo: Cyclist killed in crash

Cycling round the world: Alastair Humphreys - 19th June, 7pm

Alastair Humphreys
19th June, 7pm Crown Street Library

Round the World cyclist, author and adventurer Alastair Humphreys will be talking about his book 'Thunder and Sunshine' in Crown Street library at 7pm on 19th June.

'Thunder and Sunshine' is the second volume of Alastair's account of his cycle trip around the world. Copies of the book will be available on the night with all profits going to the Teenage Cancer Trust.

www.alastairhumphreys.com

There is no charge but places are limited so booking is essential - to book a place contact Greg McDougall on 01325 388721 / greg.mcdougall@darlington.gov.uk

60 years ago...

The average U.S. citizen completely ignores the regularity with which the automobile kills him, maims him, embroils him with the law and provides mobile shelter for rakes intent on seducing his daughters. He takes it into his garage as fondly as an Arab leading a prize mare into his tent. He woos it with Simoniz, Prestone, Ethyl and rich lubricants -- and goes broke trading it in on something flashier an hour after he has made the last payment on the old one.

By last week, this peculiar state of mind had not only sucked thousands of American oil wells dry, stripped the rubber groves of Malaya, produced the world's most inhuman industry and its most recalcitrant labor union, but had filled U.S. streets with so many automobiles that it was almost impossible to drive one. In some big cities, vast traffic jams never really got untangled from dawn to midnight; the bray of horns, the stink of exhaust fumes, and the crunch of crumpling metal eddied up from them as insistently as the vaporous roar of Niagara.

"The Last Traffic Jam", Time Magazine, Monday, Dec. 15, 1947

[via Kottke.org]

Darlington Cycle Forum Bike Lane Tour

Tonight's Cycle Forum meeting was a tour of the bike routes in the town, instead of just talking about them. Eight of us braved the rain, and got very lucky staying dry on the ten mile tour of the town.

Councillors' charity ride to Mulheim

On 3rd June a group of cyclists which includes Councillors Barker, Nutt and Long, cycling group members and residents will be setting off on a bike ride from Darlington to Mulheim in Germany, one of Darlington's twin towns. On arrival participants will help Mulheim residents celebrate the 200th anniversary of their town charter.

The ride is trying to raise sponsorship which will assist with funding town twinning projects aimed at helping young people in priority areas of Darlington who wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity of travelling abroad. In recent months a number of young people have struggled to travel with their football teams and schools and the town twinning fund aims to make it easier for young people to take part in such events.

If you would like to sponsor Councillor Barker, Councillor Nutt and Councillor Long please contact the Darlington Partnership on (01325) 346773.

Event: West Park 4X, Sunday 1st June

For those who are interested or want to find out more about 4x there is an open day at the West Park 4X track in Darlinton this Sunday, 1st June. Helen Gaskell will be making an apperance, too. The event starts at 10am and finishes around 4pm.

Event: The Round 50, Sunday 1st June

The first of this year's Tourist Trial rides is taking place on Sunday 1st June. The Round 50 is, as its name suggests, a 50 mile ride. Registration begins at 8:30 in the Dolphin Centre, with 9:30 being the latest you can start the ride. It's £2.50 for a standard entry on the day, or £6 if you want the T-shirt.

Details of other rides, including longer and shorter ones, are on the Council website.

Bike Safety

A couple of nice little links I found today:

Dave Moulton, former frame builder, takes a look at some of the statistics on bike safety and why Cyclists Live Longer.

Meanwhile, Kent Peterson talks about why he wears a bike helmet, but is against laws to make it compulsory.