CycleClips 9 November 2012

CTC has joined with other cycling organisations to urge the Government to Get Britain Cycling. The All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group is launching an inquiry to examine the barriers which are preventing more people from cycling in the UK: cycling only makes up 2% of all journeys, compared to 27% in the Netherlands and 18% in Denmark. The inquiry will look at issues such as road safety, training, enforcement, planning and design, theft and highway maintenance. So far, 17 MPs from a wide range of parties have signed an Early Day Motion backing the Get Britain Cycling initiative. The motion calls on the Government to ‘provide leadership, resources and Cabinet-level co-ordination’ to implement a cycling action plan. It also asks ministers to ‘embed cycling into the heart of transport, planning and other relevant policies’. CTC has drafted a letter for members to send to their MPs asking them to support the EDM.

Sky falls

With incredible irony, as the call to Get Britain Cycling was being made, two members of Team Sky were knocked off their bikes within a few hours of each other. Bradley Wiggins was on a training ride on Wednesday evening near his home when a driver emerging from a petrol station collided with him. Head coach Shane Sutton was knocked off as he rode to work in Manchester on Thursday morning. Neither is thought to be seriously hurt. Following the incident, CTC's Roger Geffen gave several media interviews to news channels throughout yesterday, including the BBC, ITV, Sky, Radio Five Live (at 2.37), and Channel 4 (at 48). CTC was also quoted on the front of this morning's Metro.

As the US focuses on the election results, parts of New York are still in a state of post-Apocalyptic devastation following Hurricane Sandy. One rider was brave – or foolish? – enough to ride through the streets as the storm was in full swing. His eerie film of the night includes footage of a Bentley being slowly submerged in the floodwater. Meanwhile, amidst reports of fighting at petrol stations, many New Yorkers have taken to cycling to work. CTC member The Invisible Visible Man describes what it’s like to commute by bike in the city now. Ironically, the Big Apple is currently undertaking a major project to remove capacity for motor traffic and improve conditions for walking and cycling.

Cycle jumbles are a great way to spend a morning. Not only can you pick up a fantastic bargain, you can meet like-minded souls and chat about your favourite pastime. The My Bike Jumble in Wiltshire also raises money to help charity Jole Rider obtain bikes for schoolchildren in Africa. Held every second Saturday, it sells vintage bikes, plus new and used equipment and clothing at discounted rates. And lots of tea and cake!

Items from clothing company Rapha can occasionally be found at bike jumble. But the luxury cycling brand would probably prefer you bought them brand new. After all, it went all the way to Russia to film the unintentionally hilarious advert for its Autumn/Winter collection. Although The Guardian thought its pretentiousness is almost “beyond parody”, it managed to find a spoof website that appears to prove otherwise.

What would happen if drivers could read cyclists' minds? Would they be more likely to take notice of us? Or could it lead to more road rage? We may be able to find out soon if the MindRider cycle helmet goes into production. It indicates the wearer’s state of mind by flashing various colours using an EEG sensor. Apparently, green is low stress, red is high stress - and blinking lights indicate panic!

The Wirral Bicycle Belles lead short, friendly cycle rides just for women using the quieter parts of the Wirral and beyond. They meet on the third Saturday morning of each month at 10am in Port Sunlight. The next ride will be on Saturday 17 November and newcomers are welcome. The rides return by lunchtime.

As Christmas fast approaches, you may be facing the annual struggle to decide which group of family or friends to spend it with. Why not opt instead for four days of riding with CTC Cycling Holidays and Tours? From 24-27 December, the trip features led rides in the York area on both Christmas and Boxing Days plus a superb Christmas lunch. And someone else will do the washing up!