Decided to add to this thread.
I quoted Allan's letter to Bolton press .. plus a reply within this one post. I decided not to split them as they are linked.
So sorry it's a bit long
Allan Ramsay again. Sorry but I do not quite understand this rambling letter this time. We (Swiss family as whole unit of safety campaigners and road user rights for all equally) fully agreed with his previous one about giving cyclists room and the mobile phone issue on the other hand.
I think the one thing we will never agree on is the speed camera. It does not do very much.
Bolton letters wrote:
If the nation follows Swindon’s lead in banning speed cameras – won’t it mean money “donated” to to central government by irresponsible drivers?
No. Because the normal folk behave for longer and begin to re-feel 30 mph when they see a police car.
His next sentence – again more meaningless waffling
We are struggling to work out what he is trying to say. Perhaps Allan or one of his pals might register to explain? We have no issues over his mobile phone campaign. We Swiss would sign that one as handy phones distract from
Unless he is saying that the government really does rely on cash from those who blip above a speed limit. Surely not… as that would be a real U-turn supporting what we have been saying all along.. That it’s about cash and not road safety
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last year it was £104m being lost from Government coffers only to be replaced by money from responsible drivers and indeed all other law abiding citizens? Higher taxes .. higher fuel duty?
Blimey Allan. (you lurker you
) I do declare we might have partially “subverted you here”
Cash in mind .... not safety in mind
I am not twisting the\words as such. It comes across as such
One heck of an admission though
But then he spoils it all…
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Given experts on global warming have said that we need to reduce Co2 emissions because the polar ice caps are melting faster than previously thought – it is hard to make sense of banning technology that can help achieve this figure. What’s the point of insulating our homes and building wind farms if drivers are going to get a “free for all”
The nonsensical rant here defies logic/
1. Bicycles have a cost to the planet in manufacture .. as do all the gadgets .. and the air miles of import . and road miles of distribution. A cyclist does not tow them to our bicycle retailers!
2. wind farms cost cash to manufacture and the contribution to the national grid does not justify the expense overall… apart from the fact they are ugly carbuncles on gorgeous landscapes and the large ones do make a nasty whiny noise which drives animals mad. We never realised why our pet dogs and horses went “mental” at first when being exercised near these darned things… until we had a picnic near one .. and we felt the tingling in ears after a while.
3. speed cameras require manufacture.. power .. and thus are more a drain to the planet than a police car given “manipulation of them2
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banning speed cameras is a licence to speed. It scuppers our reduction of a carbon foot print – won’t it increase demand for petrol?
Actually .. we find we spend more in petrol costs “idling” in a 20 mph “crawl”
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which will play into the weedy mitts of oil rich countries. With oil prices falling – Opec are looking to cut production
And we need our political leaders to negotiate price better then
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from a vulnerable road user’s point of view and that of many suffering fuel poverty – banning speed cameras is irresponsible
They cost in manufacture, maintenance and – given manipulation resulting in jerky driving - they do not make for “fuel efficicient driving” - and folk slow even if legal
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Take it from a responsible .. poor .. zero emission cyclist
Allan rides a nice roady racer per our source who has joined him on a CTC ride
His bike and gear cost the planet a small fortune in manufacture.. air miles and road miles.. so hardly “zero emission”:roll:
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the vast majority of drivers have no respect for speed limits nor much for fellow road users. So what sort of future does Britain have without speed cameras?
We say safe speed at all time.. attention to C OA S T skills as endorsed by DIS/Speed Aware course and IAM and Cycle Craft as depicted on pages 52- 55.
We say manners matter. From all road users.
Britain has a fine future so long as she as epitomised by our Lady Britannia.. our Queen Boedicia .. our Lady Justice sticks to her heart and fair common sensed mind. Sticks to her sense of fair play.. genteel but firm justice ..and distances from nanny and politically correct idiots who favour automation and gimmick before common sense.
In answer to Allan’s ranting in the Bolton press .. one sensible chap responds
reasoned driver from Westhoughton area in readers’ letters to Bolton press wrote:
Mr Ramsay makes some good points about making “bad drivers pay” – but he should not ever forget the bad cyclists that use our roads
The ones who cycle on footpaths.. the ones with no lights on their bikes or a bell to warn other pedestrians (even more vulnerable) of their approach . This type turn left and right without the courtesy of an arm signal to let others know of their intention.
Bravo..
Well said. Well done SIR Nigel !
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Cyclists also use the roads and should contribute to upkeep
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They should also pay if a pedestrian is knocked down or killed by a cyclist
I do foresee compulsory insurance if 32 million of us take to pedal power. It would be naïve to think otherwise
I do agree
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Motorists have to take a test to drive. Cyclists do not as yet. To be respected .. you have to also show respect
Indeed. I also think a compulsory test will be required if 32 million adopt a bicycle .. as such volume will decree “health/safety and REVENUE from the odd lapse of concentration
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Victims will always argue that the punishment is never enough as you cannot bring people back from the dead. But I think the courts have a hard job in getting the balance of the sentence right.
I agree. Justice should never be confused with Nemesis.
I also know this chap speaks for all of us when he says
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Too many walk into the road.. some even deliberately. And are just as responsible as the drive. Ipods and mobile phones are a common cause of all accidents .. whether pedestrian/cyclist/driver
I agree. I think we have to very vigilant at all times and learn to be more aware when using those blinking mobile phones. We have them. None of us answer them if “busy” though. We have voice mail/missed call messages. We can call back when more convenient. That’s the whole point of voicemail
If he was not Nigel from Westhoughton – I would suspect one or all three of my Manchester siblings penned this letter
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Of course drunk drivers and drunken football “stars” should get the punishment they deserve. The player who played for Plymouth could have easily afforded a chauffeur and the incident would not have occurred had he used one ,, or a taxi.
He could also have afforded first class plane/train tickets..
And insurance..
Thick overpaid cretin.
His girl was “unfaithful”. Perhaps she wanted a man and not a pampered wimp. Stupid,. 7 years? OK. But he should face a longer ban and only be allowed to drive if he can prove maturity and a strictly teetotal lifestyle.
Given his crime.
Neither me nor my wife will condone “stupid”
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Road safety is everyone’s responsibility. I speak as a fellow cyclist .. pedestrian and very occasional driver and oh.. I have been hit twice as a cyclist and I might not be so lucky next time
I think .. that Nigel has COAST skills within him by instinct and applaud his pure common sense.
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