Pot, Kettle, Black.....but we agree!

Addison Lee chairman John Griffin

It was rather ironic to hear that the boss (John Griffin) of Addison Lee (the private hire or mini cab company) stating that: cyclists should expect to get hurt by drivers, if they take to the road.  The reaction of cyclists was typical, and they stated they would be boycotting Addison Lee's offices with a protest.

Cyclists protest outside Addison Lee offices

Addison Lee's chairman has raised a subject, that with all intensive purpose is extremely valid.  However it may have been a little over the top, to imply that cyclists deserve to get hurt, or should expect to be injured on our roads!  It was also an over the top reaction from cyclists, to stand up and react in the manner in which they did.

Really! Was there any need for this protest?

Any debate that has the potential to make our roads safer, should be welcomed with open arms, considering there was 111 cyclists killed in 2011 and 2,660 seriously injured, the whole debate about whether cyclists should be on our roads, sharing the traffic with buses, cars, cabs, lorries, motor cyclists etc is one that needs some attention.

I am astonished at the comments made from a chairman of a large company however, when from experience can say that, when I have been out driving on our roads, and met other traffic, I have found many, many Addison Lee "black cabs" driving extremely erratically!

Some of the drivers of these private hire cars, surely cannot have passed a normal driving test!

I have witnessed these taxi's stopping abruptly, driving dangerously slow, cutting other motorists up and standards way below their so-called professional status dictates.

This is not a dig at cyclists or Addison Lee, but in a round about way, we may end up getting some changes, that are desperately needed to stop the amount of injuries and fatalities on our roads.  So we sort of agree with Addison Lee in some respects.

Another bike rage incident!

Cyclists do not have any formal training, do not hold road insurance or taxation, and anyone can now ride where ever they feel like, thanks to Boris Johnson's bicycle scheme!

I have encountered a huge amount of cyclists, who think it is ok to go through red traffic lights, and I do mean a huge amount.  I have witnessed near misses with cyclists who do not stop at zebra crossings, children on mountain bikes, circling around on our roads, without a care in the world. 

A very large amount of cyclists are also very rude and inconsiderate to other road users.  In fact a large amount of cyclists seem to provoke a lot of road rage, typically when they shout abuse to a driver.  Many of them do not seem to know how to apply their brakes, and give way to large vehicles and consequently annoy many many motorists.

We all have to share the road, and it is quite annoying that cyclists, who do not pay ridiculous amounts of money for insurance, tax, petrol and do not need to have any formal training think they have a right to treat other road users with a lack of respect.

Look you can get a badge as well!

Should it be compulsory?

The sooner that a nationwide cycle test is implemented the better.  Cyclists should also pay for road insurance, as they have on previous occasions caused accidents.  Cycle owners should also be registered and hold a number plate.

These are some recommendations that have been bouncing around for a while, and until someone grasps this subject and starts to do something about it, the more we are going to hear of cyclists being injured or killed.

Of course implementing all of those ideas, will not stop the amount of accidents, but will go some way in reducing them.

Introducing cycle only lanes on a larger scale, would also help in reducing accident numbers.

It is a fore gone conclusion, that with the introduction of more bicycles in our cities and road dimensions remaining the same that the numbers of accidents are only going to rise, so something has to be done now.

Addison Lee, should probably have gone about raising this subject in a more tactful way, but none the less, it is a subject that needs addressing and quick.

In addition, it might be worthwhile if Addison Lee take a look at their own drivers behaviour on our roads, because it isn't just the cyclists that are navigating our roads without due care!

What do you think?

Take part in our poll about cyclists, should they pay insurance?  Should they take a road test?  Tell us what you think in our survey on the right.

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Lucky to be alive!

Steven with his angel Dr Piper!

A young man declared dead four times by doctors, defied the odds by surviving a car crash that left 21 year old Steven Thorpe with serious injuries to his face, left arm and needing brain surgery.

Steven's parents begged medics not to turn off the young lads life support machine, even after doctors at the University Hospital in Coventry declared young Steven brain dead!

Mr Thorpe, a trainee accountant from Kenilworth, Warwickshire, United Kingdom was woken from a medically induced coma, after two weeks and was eventually discharged from hospital after a further five weeks.

The doctors in charge of Steven's care, had even asked the parents whether they should consider organ donation.  However after pleading with the hospital to reconsider switching off their son's life support machine, the parents decided to bring in a private doctor for another opinion.

Dr "angel" Piper

Dr Julia Piper, was called upon, and after asking a neurologist to examine Mr Thorpe, they discovered that Steven's brain had very faint brain waves, which could indicate a very slim chance of a recovery.

The young fighter was left in a terrible state, after being involved in a three car crash and a run away horse, which left one person dead and the horse fatally injured.  After having brain surgery, doctors at the hospital told the parents that Steven would never recover!  Thank god the parents never gave up hope!

Before and after.  Steven Thorpe continues to recover
from his accident.

The lucky lad, has since had physiotherapy on his arm and four operations to his face, including an operation to rebuild his nose and have an artificial eye socket made.  Steven said: "Hopefully, it can help people see that you should never give up.  I've had so much positive feedback about it.  My father believed I was alive, and he was correct."

Dr Julia Piper, based in Leicester said: "It's an inspirational story about never giving up.  He's a remarkable young man and his recovery has been astonishing."

University Hospital in Coventry.
School report says: Need to try harder!

University Hospital Coventry and the Warwickshire NHS trust stated that Mr Thorpe's injuries were critical, and brain scans revealed almost irreversible damage.

The trust added: "It is extremely rare a patient with such extensive trauma to the brain should survive."

Mr Thorpe said: "As far as I am concerned, living is a full recovery.  From how I was, to how I am now, I think it's a miracle."

What an extremely lucky, plucky and modest young man you are!

You survived the odds, and if it wasn't for your parents, Dr Piper and your will to live, this could have been another sad story.

The University Hospital in Coventry, should seriously take a look at it's approach to other patient's care and raise the bar.  Credit to Dr Piper for her expertise and identifying that Steven had a chance of recovery.  EVERY patient should receive that type of care and consideration.  

Maybe Dr Piper should run the NHS!

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More Money Than Sense survey results!

We conducted a survey during March and April 2012, and would like to say a huge thanks to everyone who selected their answers and took part in the survey, which was based around a young business man, who had spent the best part of £200,000 for a round of drinks at a top London venue.

(Click here to read that news story)

We asked in the survey what you would do with £200,000?
The answers were:  Buy a sports car
                             Give the money to charity
                             Buy a house
                             Take a long holiday
                        or: Buy a round of drinks!

We found most of our participants would buy a house and take a long holiday, followed closely by with a sports car and surprisingly a round of drinks.
Only 5% of participants would give any money to charity!

Results were: Sports car = 20%
                    Charity     = 5%
                    House      = 30%
                    Holiday    = 30%
                    Drinks      = 15%

Thanks again for taking part in our "More Money Than Sense" survey, and look forward to our next survey coming soon.


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Quick Scopes (22nd April 2012 - 28th April 2012)

This week our LUCKY SIGN is Aquarius.
Come and check out your horoscope for the week ahead, including a set of lucky numbers chosen by our Astrologer Enigma Gee.


Aquarius
(20th January – 18th February)





Lucky Numbers:

16, 34, 39, 41, 43, 49

Your Quick Scope this week:
Well, well, well........You are our LUCKY SIGN of the week Aquarius!
You've been feeling under the weather the past week and probably found it hard to shift that nasty cold you had.  But typically with Aquarians, they bounce back  right to the top, and you're energy levels will top right out.  Your social life will be demanding some more time from you, but you'd rather concentrate on your loved one or family.  Money and work is nice and steady and a win out of the blue will bring a smile to your face.  Have a great week Aquarius.




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