Urban Cycling Institute’s Post

We saw this powerful, emotive piece in Global Cycling Network yesterday regarding the Safe Streets Now action group and their planned nationwide protest for this Saturday (20th April). Whatever your views on their Extinction Rebellion-lite civil disobedience approach, one thing is certain: the vast majority of road users are completely fed up with the UK's huge road traffic collision figures. According to the UK government, over 130,000 casualties are projected for 2024, with more than 1,600 deaths. And that doesn't even begin to cover the lives ruined, the strain on our emergency services and the billions of £ lost. Check out the interview with Mat MacDonald and SSN site in the links under the hashtags below and make up your own mind. 👇🏽💡 With numbers remaining stubbornly high, we think that now is the time for more positive approach. By gamifying and rewarding safer driving, the Safe Roads Challenge is able to inspire better, more mindful driving behaviours permanently. In a series of pilot schemes, our US team was able to reduce driver risk events by an average of 27%. Our dedicated UK-based team is looking for socially conscious partners like YOU to join us on this important journey. We'd love to connect for a chat over Zoom or face-to-face. Let's improve the UK's road safety together. To find out more… give us a follow, visit https://lnkd.in/e2w5Vbva or get in touch at [email protected] 🚘 🏍 🚚 🇬🇧 #RewardingMindfulDriving #RoadSafety #DriveResponsibly #NoMoreRTCs #DriverTech #EarnRewards #SafeStreetsNow LINKS; https://lnkd.in/dVqHSeCA https://lnkd.in/esZ-3UGq

"Baby Carriage Blockades in the US" could be the subtitle to this great article by Peter Norton reminding us that people protested against the impact of cars on society in the US. Although the Dutch protest movement named "Stop the Child Killing" is more famous (for forcing the Dutch government to restrict the impacts of cars), protests existed in the US, mostly led by women, to also try and stop cars from killing people. A key point that people forget is that "Amsterdam wasn't always Amsterdam" - meaning that when people think that Amsterdam was always a bicycle-friendly city and that is why it is so today, they don't realize that it took concerted effort from the population to force the transport planners and government to make safe conditions. I especially liked this point: "Against any tendency to blame the parents for permitting their children to have a life of their own beyond home and school, demonstrators consistently demanded streets that local children could use safely." It is sometimes hard for people currently to remember that children have lives other than being chauffeured to one place or another and that this large consumer of parental free time is not a natural situation, but one that is in large part a result of traffic danger and cities built at vehicle, not human scale. Another great point: "Where streets were unsafe for children, the problem became the mother’s responsibility, and an injury or a death was the mother’s fault." This shift from a responsibility of the transport engineers to design safe systems to putting the onus on individuals is critical in explaining how difficult it is to fix this problem. Traffic danger is a societal problem, not an individual one. https://lnkd.in/e6twPCAc

PROTEST & THE RISK OF ECONOMIC ACCIDENT May, 2013, I had my first and only major accident as a driver. It happened that I went for the trip with a driving school coach in my truck to pick up some coconut seedlings for one of our estates The weight of the seedlings was over 500kg on Hilux trunk, making the front light and I was running on about 100km/hr. My companion was asleep when I navigated a bend and encountered a slip due to a little flood water He suddenly woke and grabbed my steering to help and I lost control as we got into a bush, having tumbled 3 times. No one believed that we both came out of the vehicle unhurt, but we did. I have keenly observed many talks about the problems prompting the August protest. I have also seen some who proffered what they think to be 'solutions'. Recall that those driving the economy today, were the same persons on this side, leading the protest, and those proffering these same solutions today were with them then But now, the frontline protesters of yesterday have cycled into the national economy's driver's seat, and they now see things totally different from what they thought it was before taking the job. It appears, according to a famous Nigerian economist, that the problem of Nigeria is not necessarily the JUICY jobs (corruption), but that those 'proffering solutions' are more, and are pushing to have 'their own turn' because of how JUICY those seats are, not to save the country -paraphrased If you consider yourself a good driver, sitting in front in a car while another drives, you almost always find fault with the driver's approach, and think you could do better. The accident I had was due to these 2 things: First, I was novice regarding driving loaded trucks, (as president on driving Nigeria) even though I had driving experience on smaller cars (like him on Lagos). I never understood the consequences speeding with it till then Secondly, my companion was a driver coach. Like good economists, good drivers always think they could drive better, even without considering the differences of vehicles and circumstances. They think the principles are the same. My accident was caused by the driver coach's intervention leading to my confusion. That is the potency of a protest on any government -it can cause economic accident if used to interfere The solutions look ok. But those who proffer them haven't seen things from all sides. This is no excuse for the president - he also did same advisory business that's why he's getting paid with his own currency However, I think it's not ok to use such currency HARSHLY on any economic driver, especially considering the risk we all face - economic accident. It's fine to use it to open the door for dialogue. And, like Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State said, let the president and the ruling class tell the people 'the truth' during the dialogue, so as to reduce the pressure of 'wrong advice' and risk of economic accident #EndBadGovernance #EconomicDriver #EconomicAdvisers

"Is spiking becoming the norm?" We've been campaigning for 20 years to say that spiking should absolutely not be the norm. Listen now to hear what we had to say on BBC Three Counties this week. https://lnkd.in/ecQnYA-m #StampOutSpiking #SpikingAwarenessTraining #DrinkSpiking #BBCRadioThreeCounties #CampaignAgainstSpiking #NoToSpiking #SpikingPrevention #SpikingIsNotNormal #SpikingAwareness

Protesting farmers drive their tractors into Brussels, move to European Quarter They are not trying to block traffic and are moving at the speed of around 30 kmph February 1/ A group of around 60 tractors entered Brussels from the south and headed to the European Quarter, where an emergency meeting of the European Council will be held later on Thursday, a TASS correspondent reported. The meeting, to begin later in the day, will focus on allocating €50 billion to Ukraine over the next four years. The tractors are not trying to block traffic and are moving at the speed of around 30 kmph. They are accompanied by a convoy of police cars and motorcycles. Simultaneously, another motorcade of approximately 25-30 vehicles entered Brussels via Chauss·e d'Alsemberg and is also moving towards the city’s central districts. The city’s traffic situation service reports that large groups of agricultural vehicles are also moving along the Brussels Ring Road and are entering the capital from the north. A few dozens of tractors have already been spotted near the European Quarter. The district itself is cordoned off by the police, and even accredited journalists are not allowed to enter. Barbed wire barriers have been installed, while buses with riot police and several water cannons were seen in side streets near the area. However, these security measures are nothing out of ordinary for European summits, which bring together the leaders of the union’s 27 member states and top European officials. The city’s police department has officially warned drivers about the upcoming protests and recommended them to refrain from using cars. #business #finance #financialservices

Where is the rule of law, Mayor Adams? Governor Hochul? Why is the NYPD advising travelers to be prepared for protests? Why are terror supporters blocking access to our airports and train stations on a regular basis? It’s time for the NYPD/National Guard to come out in force and ensure safe access to transportation hubs for law abiding New Yorkers and visitors. It is outrageous and unacceptable for New York to be brought to a standstill by those who hate our democracy and celebrate slaughter and mayhem. On 9/11 and 10/7 we were made painfully aware that words lead to action. Free speech does not provide blanket protection for hate speech (context matters) and more fundamentally does not include the right to block access to roads, buildings, or transportation.

Back in the day of BLM and "peaceful protests" that were quite intrusive- MONUMENTS became the offensive target that had to be defaced or removed. History was intolerable and these progressive CRT (theory) adherents did succeed for a while. UNTIL a penalty was established. There would be a five or ten-year prison punishment for anyone convicted. Voila- not one more incident. It's called boundaries. It's called accountability. It was NOT called freedom of expression. The chants on campuses have grown. Bridges, stores, museums, and airports are now being "DIS-graced' by the throngs. They are emboldened because they are taking advantage of the freedom of expression amendment. It is important. It is sacrosanct. It also DOES NOT include jostling, intimidating, threatening genocide, affecting travel to and fro, OR conducting the business of livelihood. Some people are discerning and can tell the difference between expressing ideas and threatening destruction. Others may be taught- in time. Hopefully soon. If they witness any deterrence to the support of their rhetoric, maybe. Perhaps if police pause, speak to them and find out if they are citizens of the U.S., hold valid visas or not. Maybe then, these idle, entitled, ignorant, and selfish youth might learn a lesson that won't be underwritten by their parents, sponsors, or governmental loans!

#DEI #Woke #HarleyDavidson "spins outs" and falls in traffic, as its #RedBlooded #AmericanMainstream Market is repulsed by the "totally woke" #HD, the #NewYork media reports. #DiversityTraining at #HD HQs -- with all kinds of #Woke #Diversity Indoctrination -- has blindsided them, despite the "watch for motorcycles" type peripheral vision expected in the #Motorcyle Industry. Even another #RedBlooded #MidWestern brand -- albeit #Green -- #JohnDeere tractors was caught in a similar "feel good"-type issue. What didn't the #BudLight lessons teach these #CorporateLeaders?!? Yes, HD is HQd in the #RedState of #Wisconsin, but it has its own influential #BlueIsland long called "The People's Republic of #Madison," for its #Lefty #Lib #Marxist politics and sympathies.

In a spirited show of unity and protest, 🚚 #TruckersForTrump are shifting gears, putting a hard stop 🛑 on deliveries to New York City. This move is a direct drive against a hefty $350M fraud judgment against Trump, sparking a nationwide movement. The rallying cry 📣 #BoycottNYC is spreading like wildfire across social media, with the trucking community fueling the flames of protest. With over 13,000 posts, the hashtag is a beacon for those looking to support their cause. This pivotal moment in #TruckingHistory is not just about a court decision; it’s a testament to the trucking community’s solidarity and activism. Using the power of hashtags like #TruckLife 🚛, #FreightLife, #RoadTransport 🛣️, #HeavyHaul, #Logistics 📦, #SupplyChain, #OverTheRoad, #TruckersOfInstagram 📸, #BigRigs, and #TransportationTechnology 🛠️, they’re driving their message home. The legal battle that led to this moment scrutinized Trump’s financial maneuvers, igniting a spectrum of reactions within the trucking sphere. A notable response is the #StandWithTrump GoFundMe campaign, rallying financial support 🤝 for Trump’s defense, showcasing the depth of backing within the #TruckingCommunity. As #TruckersUnite 🤝 in this boycott, their commitment to principle and community solidarity is clear, marking a significant chapter in their story. This movement highlights the trucking industry’s influential role in social and political advocacy, proving that their journey for justice and support extends far beyond the asphalt. Through this narrative, the essence of the truckers’ protest is vividly painted, blending activism with the rich culture and symbols that define the trucking community’s spirit online and on the open road. 🚛💨#ladiesintrucking #truckingindustry #supplychainsolutions #logistics #logisticscompany #freightbroker #3pl #trump2024