Moving Target,Volume 3 Issue 2
MT COMMENT:
Edward Newstead's death was something that touched all ccs because itreminded us all of the risk that we all face each day that we come to work.Perhaps the fact that 'only' one cc has been killed each year since MThas been on the streets (4 dead in 4 years) is some consolation. It couldeasily be 1 a week if we were less careful.
Anther question raised by the death is: Is it really worth it? Or putit another way how little is a life worth? When business after businessdemands cuts in rates from their despatch company what they ere reallydoing is saying that they do not value our lives very highly. What theyare saying is that our lives are over-valued. The next time that a customercomplains to you that he/she has been waiting for an hour for you to arrivepoint out that at least you arrived in one piece.
All 4 ccs that have been killed on the job have died under the wheelsof HGVs. This is something to bear in mind. Not only should you think aboutthis when you are riding around, but consider this: the main reason forincreasing the scope of London's Red Route Network is to free up CentralLondon's congested streets so that HGVs and other trade vehicles can passthrough quicker. Amongst the streets ear-marked for red status are Piccadilly,The Strand, Holborn, Clerkenwell Rd and Marylebone Rd. The effect thisis likely to have is to encourage more HGVs into the central area and athigher speeds. Scary? More now than ever, safe cyclin'.
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