highlandsflyer":1ggwsssj said:
We don't all limit our activity to winging on here!
Thanks for posting links and all that, but try assuming less about what so many cycling enthusiasts are not doing, aye?
Yes, have a whinge, but how about doing something after the whinge?
Anyhow,
I received this email today:
Dear Reader
A landmark debate on cycling will take place in the House of Commons on Monday, September 2, when MPs will debate the findings of the Get Britain Cycling report. This calls on the Government to increase investment in cycling across the UK.
This debate only came about because almost 70,000 people, perhaps including you, signed our vital e-petition. Thank you so much for doing so.
Now we are requesting that you to write to your MP and implore him or her to attend the debate on your behalf. You can do so on our campaign page here.*
The result of your actions would not only improve safety for the 750,000 cyclists who already commute to work by bike in Britain, but would also have a significant impact in reducing traffic jams for motorists, easing overcrowding on public transport and saving millions from local health budgets.
When we last asked you to contact your MP in February 2012, more than 4,000 of you did so, which resulted in 77 MPs attending a debate on cycling in Westminster Hall. Many said they attended because they had been contacted by their constituents.
Almost 18 months later, we would urge you to do the same.
Thank you for your continued support.
John Witherow
Editor of The Times
* here's the campaign page link:
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/cy ... ty/pledge/
As I recently contacted MP Robert Halfon Re. cycling issues he replied:
You are the first constituent to contact me directly on this issue. Do you have any specific concerns or ideas about the cycle network in Harlow and the UK?
Very best wishes,
Robert
I did reply, but I have heard nothing since as I believe he is more concerned with oil fraud. The following letter I received from him out of the blue, hence I contacted him about cycling issues instead. Alas, after a few email correspondance, the silence is deafening...
Dear Scott,
We need YOUR HELP to uncover oil fraud.
Petrol companies such as BP and Shell were raided last night in an explosive operation by European authorities, following allegations of price fixing at the pumps.
Newspapers are now saying that oil prices could have been rigged not just for a few months, but for the past 10 years! This could mean that we have ALL been forking out over the odds to fill up the family car.
It's happening under our noses. We need a full investigation in the UK. We need action. There should be prison time for serious criminal price-fixing, and proper compensation for British motorists if they have been ripped off.
Please sign our petition at
http://www.PetrolPromise.com today, and share it with your friends. This will send a letter to your local MP, urging them to act.
Please also forward this email on to your friends and family. We need to put as much pressure as possible on the oil companies so that they come clean.
Very best wishes to you,
Robert Halfon MP
If we (cyclists) don't lean on our MP's for safer cycling, then our kids won't ride bikes and we will be driver fodder. It is not a case if we agree with our local MP's policies, they are here to serve our needs.