News
The Peace Cycle
In August & September 2004 cyclists from all over the World will cycle across Europe to in a solidarity peace ride to Palestine. London, and possibly Bristol, could be one of the many starting points. FFI check http://www.peacecycle.com or contact Rowland on nicefella@tesco.net.
Iraq War on Trial
Many people will remember, with respect, the work put in by Margaret Jones with the Eco-warrior direct action campaign against the Avon Ring Road in the late nineties. More recently Margaret was among five people who took disarmament actions at Fairford against the US B-52 bombers in the run up to the war on Iraq last March. The cases of all those charged have been transferred to Bristol Crown Court and have triggered a unique pre-hearing into the question of the legality of the war itself. Read up on the background to this case "Was the Iraq war illegal" by Alex Wade on 16th Sept 2003 on www.guardian.co.uk/law/story/0,3605,1042739,00.html. As yet the exact dates of the hearings haven't been fixed but please check out our campaign website for latest news on http://www.fairfordpeacewatch.com/iraqwarontrial.html
Rowland
Good bicycles still wanted
Do you or someone you know have a bicycle to donate?
A pioneering project to provide free bicycles to job seekers, NHS patients and people on low incomes is making a fresh plea for any unwanted roadworthy bicycles. Unwanted mountain bikes and hybrid bikes are preferred. Racing bikes and small wheeled shoppers are not wanted.
Simon Carpenter, who has been involved with the bicycle Re-Cycling project for several years said
"For many clients access to a free bicycle has revolutionised their lives, providing them with low cost travel and a great opportunity to improve their health. This is an incredibly worthwhile project which depends on a steady flow of bicycles - many of these generously donated by the public"
Some bicycles are obtained through the Inside Out Trust, a charity that work closely with the Prison Service to provide prisoners serving a custodial sentence with useful skills. Bicycles that require an overhaul tend to be passed on to the prisons where they are repaired and refurbished, then passed back for distribution.
Roadworthy bicycles on the other hand can be passed directly to people in need and its these that we most want. More and more people in and around Bristol have requested bicycles with the Re-Cycling project struggling to meet demand. Over 50 bicycles were distributed in 2003, but potentially this number could be far higher.
If you or someone you know has a bicycle to donate this is what you/they need to do:
Take the bicycles to the CREATE Centre
Tel No: 0117 9224370 (Reception, between 9am -5pm weekdays) - they are stored here. The CREATE Centre is located on Smeaton Road, Bristol (large red brick tobacco warehouse)
Unfortunately, bicycles cannot be collected from your home.
If you require more information please contact Simon Carpenter, Bristol South & West Primary Care NHS Trust on 0117 900 2193 or email: simon.carpenter@bristolswpct.nhs.uk
Cycling Policeman joins Life Cycle UK
I have been a member of BCC for absolutely ages. I have recently had the good fortune to be given the post of Health on Wheels Co-ordinator at Life Cycle UK.
My background is 32 years in the Bristol Police. When I began in 1966 we were all riding "push bikes" wearing heavy woollen capes and had radios for immediate response! I am lucky enough to have one of the huge bikes that we rode then. They were made for Bobbies over 6' tall.
Morris 1000's then took over and the bikes disappeared. Attempts were made to re-introduce them in the 80's but unfortunately they were Raleigh Roadsters and officers were not too keen to take them out. Of course I did and I remember affecting the arrest of a couple of youngsters, and then "riding" them into the station.
It really seems like another world to think of Redland and St.George Police Stations not only having a full time cycle mechanic but horses and a visiting blacksmith.
Elsewhere in this issue you will find an article entitled "The Inspector's Bike" - this quirky story neatly encapsulates some of the entrenched hierarchical attitudes that prevailed at the time.
During my time in the Police and as a member of BCC I found it hard to participate in some of the campaigns, as they always seemed to challenge the law!
Anyway enough of looking back, it is really great to feel part of something special here in Bristol. There is a definite sense of change around at the moment. The time is right for an increase in cycling in our cities.
But I do not need to tell BCC members this. The challenge is to get all them others on board and for Bristolians to learn that they really can get about this hilly city on a bike and live without the motorcar.
Paul Wheatcroft.
