amen my man, amen

Couldn't agree more

the more organisation it needs the less likely it is to happen; in trying to do the best thing we'll end up doing nothing. It needs to be one thing that is easy for every one who wants to to take part in, like a memorial ride, but for the forum only; trying to involve other groups will drown it in organisation.

the more organisation it needs the less likely it is to happen; in trying to do the best thing we'll end up doing nothing. It needs to be one thing that is easy for every one who wants to to take part in, like a memorial ride, but for the forum only; trying to involve other groups will drown it in organisation.

Then why not organize something ourselves, and just publicize it to other groups, fellow cyclists, and anyone else who'll listen, so that they can come and join in. I'm happy to write press releases, pester other forums, and go crazy with flyers.

The problems arise trying to accommodate every one who wants to help and every different idea. The tweed ride, for example, worked because one or two people were in charge and they could ask for the help they needed; if people didn't like the finished idea, they didn't go. It's not the same with a memorial ride, sensitivities are higher and that's even leaving aside the involvement/non-involvement of the family.
Fortunately we have time; a memorial ride in a month or two or three would still be effective. But everyone has to agree to let a very small group organise it, accept their decisions having given their view and make sure it is kept as simple as possible.
I know I don't have the time, ability or energy to organise anything like this anymore than I could have organised the tweed run. But there are people who can and will want to.

Then why not organize something ourselves, and just publicize it to other groups, fellow cyclists, and anyone else who'll listen, so that they can come and join in. I'm happy to write press releases, pester other forums, and go crazy with flyers.

This is pretty much what I had in mind - we organise a rise, and post on all the other forums out there asking people to turn up if they feel strongly enough about the situation.

The problems arise trying to accommodate every one who wants to help and every different idea. The tweed ride, for example, worked because one or two people were in charge and they could ask for the help they needed; if people didn't like the finished idea, they didn't go.

This is true, which is why it does have to be kept simple to work. We organise a ride, a route and publicise the plan, and clear it with the police beforehand. Then it's just a case of riding to city hall and giving Boris a letter saying something quite general along the lines of 'we are voters too - pay more attention to our safety'. No big political manifesto, just asking for a commitment to get more input from the cycling community and then the more motivated can do their own thing to try to turn that into action.

It's not the same with a memorial ride, sensitivities are higher and that's even leaving aside the involvement/non-involvement of the family.

Hence we do a ride for everyone who's been hurt or injured on the roads. A ride for the Unknown Cycler, if you will.

Fortunately we have time; a memorial ride in a month or two or three would still be effective. But everyone has to agree to let a very small group organise it, accept their decisions having given their view and make sure it is kept as simple as possible.

Yeah, basically agree - but fortunately I think we're all laid back enough for this to work.

how about a ride everytime this happens?
not in a ghoulish way. but in a keep making this public and keep doing something?

I am so up for organizing this. How about we set a date in April or something (giving us enough time for organization, and giving the weather a chance to clear up a bit, so we'll get more people out), plot a route that goes via some of the places people have been killed, and end up at City Hall (or Downing Street?). If we want to make it a really major thing, we could print t-shirts (a job lot of white t-shirts can't be that pricey, and would make people stand out) - in fact, we might need them to identify stewards, if the ride gets big enough to need them.

I suspect that the more general and political this is made the less successful it will be. A simple forum ride - open to non-forum people obviously - to the scene of Eilid's death, lay some flowers, have a few quiet minutes there.
There are already campaigns about road safety and HGVs. I'd prefer something that was simple and connected to the emotion we all felt when we read of her death - of how much closer it felt because of Velcro being a forum member - rather than something more intellectual and campaigning. Just my view.

I suspect that the more general and political this is made the less successful it will be. A simple forum ride - open to non-forum people obviously - to the scene of Eilid's death, lay some flowers, have a few quiet minutes there.
There are already campaigns about road safety and HGVs. I'd prefer something that was simple and connected to the emotion we all felt when we read of her death - of how much closer it felt because of Velcro being a forum member - rather than something more intellectual and campaigning. Just my view.

Exactly. Perfectly put Wiganwill ^^ This is a very good plan.

Next is to arrange a time to do it.

Weekend is best for the majority of people, and more than likely late evening also, due to peoples work commitments.
A time that's accessible to the majority would be best here.

Im free to do this after 7pm all weekend and after 5pm weekdays.

It would be nice for the family to see that so many people care, if we could get a card to Eilidh’s parents that’s got lots of signatures on it or just a small bunch of flowers that would be fantastic. I love the shape of a bike idea. That would be representative of the forum rather than just more flowers.

hey guys,
velcro posted this in the thread about the accident (so sad.. :( ) and i would be more than willing to get something around & signed this week. i really think it would be such a meaningful gesture to the family, too. i was already planning to be at souths tonight, trixiechix/norths-on-tour/andy's polo bday thing tomorrow and easts on weds, and i think i can go to wests (or pass it off to someone who can) for thursday.

maybe it would be a good idea to get a few pieces of nice paper that everyone could sign (since a regular card wouldn't be big enough), and then one of this site's many talented designers could come up with the actual card?

thoughts?

+1 - lets write messages on sheets to collate into one big card.
Lots more manageable and people can send them from outside London / all over to one address.

Could the relevant comments of the original thread not be printed off and added to a card?

maybe it would be a good idea to get a few pieces of nice paper that everyone could sign (since a regular card wouldn't be big enough), and then one of this site's many talented designers could come up with the actual card?

thoughts?

this could be passed around all the evening drinks/polo etc??

I think some kind of memorial book we could put a cover on would hold up better. There's going to be a lot of signatures.

^ that is a really nice idea.

i have a bunch of colored paper that i could cut into the same size, take to drinks/polo/rolla, etc, and then we could somehow assemble it?

i do think that if this is going to happen it should be sooner than later, as in, get it started tonight..

i can cut/trim punch comb-bind, and yeah i think a nice big book, with all nice coloured paper, put together could be a very nice thing.

+1 for the book idea.

I'll be there for the ride that Fred and Shinscar will be organising.

Good job fellas, to the both of you.

I can do heat binding if needed, book sounds like a plan though.

Can't we just buy a nice bound book? and pass it around at drinks. Kattt I'll chat to you at souths tonight...

I think a memorial spoke card would be great.

+ves: good way of raising money.
-ves: spoke cards (to some) are a fashion accessory, could send a dodgy image.

Also another thing to consider, perhaps we should do something different in her specific case and keep the spoke cards as a general memorial a-la ghostbike in case the family disapprooves?

My 2cents rele..

I have only just heard that Eilidh Cairns was not the first cyclist to die in London this year.

The previous death, in Newham, appears to have gone largely unreported.

Terrible.

Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.

http://tinyurl.com/9p9um9

Cyclist dies following accident with refuse lorry

15 January 2009

POLICE investigators are appealing for witnesses and information after a cyclist died following a collision with a Newham Council refuse lorry in Plaistow.

The collision took place at the junction of Barking Road and Samson Street at around 5.20pm on Tuesday.

The 45-year-old cyclist suffered a head injury and was rushed to Newham General Hospital in Plaistow, but died about two-and-a-half hours later.

Officers from the Collision Investigation Unit in Chadwell Heath are conducting an inquiry into the circumstances of the incident.

The driver of the refuse lorry stopped at the scene and was not arrested.

A Newham Council spokeswoman said: "We are aware of an accident involving one of our refuse vehicles and would like to express our condolences to the deceased's family and friends.

There's a small column about the accident on page 3 or 5 of the London Paper tonight, with quotes from Eilidh's mother, mostly about her love of cycling.

The driver's been arrested, charged and bailed apparently.

6 Hours Ago #266 velcro

    All these comments, mean so much to us.

Memorial ride - yes

Donations – there’s a research project, for which Eilidh's blood was taken at hospital, looking into the clotting properties of blood to help victims of trauma with severe injuries and experiencing extreme loss of blood. (She died through severe blood loss). We don't know if donations can be accepted on ethical grounds but we're contacting the hospital to find out. In addition we'd like to support the most effective HGV cyclist/driver campaign.

It would be nice for the family to see that so many people care, if we could get a card to Eilidh’s parents that’s got lots of signatures on it or just a small bunch of flowers that would be fantastic. I love the shape of a bike idea. That would be representative of the forum rather than just more flowers.

Eilidh's, sister, Kate, has been reading this and is amazed by the comments from people that did not even know Eilidh. But having been a dedicated cyclist herself for many years in London she appreciates and understands the feeling of unity and empathy.

I think a mass ride along her commuting route from her home to Notting Hill would be a fantastic idea as do her family and friends. I think something noisy to attract attention and bring the issue into the wider press and public interest. A celebration of Eilidh, we’ve been thinking perhaps in a months time 7th or 14th of March a Saturday so more people could attend?

The ghost bikes were something we spoke about and we'd definitely have her blessings to put one up; last night we erected two pink wheels, as well as attaching pictures and words at the scene. Someone had spray painted little eyelids (one of her many nicknames was Eyelid) around the area as well as her name. I’m going to talk to the ghost bike organisers as we’d like to get her track frame back from the police at some point and get that up at the scene, she’d rather have her own bike up there than another.

At the moment I really don’t feel up to getting everything rolling with this. If someone could volunteer to take charge and I could keep in contact with them that would be fantastic…?

Big thanks to Hassan and all the guys in Cavendish Cycles who I think we drove slightly mad when bringing in her frame and going through all the Deep V rims to find some that were pink enough! We got there 5 minutes before closing and kept the shop open for quite a while.

Eilidh was the most beautiful, intelligent, kind hearted and joyous person I had ever met in my life. As soon as I met her I knew that I’d never leave her side. Her smiles and laughter would illuminate grey days. She really did change lives for the better. I’m going to put a picture up on here, and one of her frame too so maybe people can put an name and a face to her.

Feel free to move this to the other thread.

Giles