1:10pm Tuesday 2nd June 2009
By Telegraph & Argus
SIR – Re Mr. Rhodes’s letter of May 9 about Crank-It-Up’s “Shopping trolley” bike, which we’ve only just seen. Jumping to the wrong conclusions, based on ignorance of the facts, isn’t wise, Mr Rhodes, so I’d like to make the following points: 1. None of our fun events takes place on a public road and every venue is checked out for possible hazards.
2. Our five qualified cycling coaches have risk assessed the shopping trolley wacky bike and found it safe.
3. Over 300 people from eight to 68, including people with physical and visual disabilities, have had fun on it without incident.
4. It’s our participants who call the sessions “fun”.
5. Our sister organisation, Re-Cycle, provides inexpensive, fully rebuilt bikes, often to people who’ve had fun on our “gimmickry”
6. Can he provide evidence of “tiny minds... risking all” by building shopping trolley bikes to take on the highway? We’d love to hear it.
7. Wouldn’t getting more people out of cars and onto bikes reduce the congestion and danger?
And, finally, 8. “I’m not a killjoy...” Then why not come to one of our sessions and risk enjoying yourself, Mr Rhodes.
Mike Healey, coach and fun session organiser for Crank-It-Up
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