AA for cycling

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Philip Benstead
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AA for cycling

Post by Philip Benstead »

Philip Benstead | Life Member Former CTC Councillor/Trustee
Organizing events and representing cyclists' in southeast since 1988
Bikeability Instructor/Mechanic
thirdcrank
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Re: AA for cycling

Post by thirdcrank »

I see the media release is dated 3 September 2020. It doesn't seem to have attracted much interest from the media since then.

The underlying idea of mutual aid amongst cyclists is a good one.
Tompsk
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Re: AA for cycling

Post by Tompsk »

Philip Benstead wrote: 23 Jun 2021, 11:27am Any views on this?


https://www.cyclinguk.org/press-release ... s-launched
I think the CTC once published a list of volunteers who would come out and help members who needed assistance. Not 100% sure on the details or when this fell by the wayside?
Vorpal
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Re: AA for cycling

Post by Vorpal »

It sounds like a fantastic idea, if people can be made aware of it. I'm sure that it would give some folks confidence to know that someone can help them, if they need.

How it is working in practice, is possibly another thing.
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thirdcrank
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Re: AA for cycling

Post by thirdcrank »

Tompsk wrote: 23 Jun 2021, 1:19pm
Philip Benstead wrote: 23 Jun 2021, 11:27am Any views on this?


https://www.cyclinguk.org/press-release ... s-launched
I think the CTC once published a list of volunteers who would come out and help members who needed assistance. Not 100% sure on the details or when this fell by the wayside?
That is so and BITD I was on it. That was pre-internet so the details were in the handbook. Not a lot of names and IIRC, I'd have been your only hope for a large part of God's Own.... That didn't matter as nobody ever called me. I did learn later that my non-cycling wife was rather worried about being contacted when I was at work or out cycling. At one point I wrote to CTC HQ asking if there had been any evaluation and I got a rather miffed response saying it was a good idea (ie "No.")
rjb
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Re: AA for cycling

Post by rjb »

If my memory is correct i believe the AA offered a bicycle breakdown service at one time. Others currently do it for an annual fee. Heres one i found on a quick trawl of the web. Theres probably others too.
https://www.eta.co.uk/bicycle-insurance/cycle-rescue/
At the last count:- Peugeot 531 pro, Dawes Discovery Tandem, Dawes Kingpin X3, Raleigh 20 stowaway, 1965 Moulton deluxe, Falcon K2 MTB dropped bar tourer, Rudge Bi frame folder, Longstaff trike conversion on a Giant XTC 840 :D
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mjr
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Re: AA for cycling

Post by mjr »

Philip Benstead wrote: 23 Jun 2021, 11:27am Any views on this?


https://www.cyclinguk.org/press-release ... s-launched
How do you find them when you break down?
MJR, mostly pedalling 3-speed roadsters. KL+West Norfolk BUG incl social easy rides http://www.klwnbug.co.uk
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Tompsk
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Re: AA for cycling

Post by Tompsk »

mjr wrote: 23 Jun 2021, 5:12pm
Philip Benstead wrote: 23 Jun 2021, 11:27am Any views on this?


https://www.cyclinguk.org/press-release ... s-launched
How do you find them when you break down?
Quite! So not like the AA, that the press release claims. This seems more like random support or 'bicycle repair man' and Monty Phython got there first with that idea. I hope the volunteers were able to do some good work and help people out.
thirdcrank
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Re: AA for cycling

Post by thirdcrank »

Monty Python got there first....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6N7j1AwFzxg
Grumpy-Grandad
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Re: AA for cycling

Post by Grumpy-Grandad »

rjb wrote: 23 Jun 2021, 5:05pm If my memory is correct i believe the AA offered a bicycle breakdown service at one time. Others currently do it for an annual fee. Heres one i found on a quick trawl of the web. Theres probably others too.
https://www.eta.co.uk/bicycle-insurance/cycle-rescue/
I have cycle breakdown cover as part of my insurance :D
Steve
David Cox
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Re: AA for cycling

Post by David Cox »

I've had ETA cover for many years. Started when riding a tandem. Only used it once this year when a rim split 30 miles from home. Worked well a call centre in Essex was efficient and found a taxi firm who would take me to the nearest station. But I wanted to get straight home, couldn't carry or wheel the bike which was covered in tubeless sealant (another tale). They arranged that and were going to charge me an additional fee but that hasn't happened yet. I think they work just like the AA and would recommend them. With no 4G connection I couldn't find my own taxi service. Cost is £40 per year which mounts up but I doubt that it could be done much cheaper.
David Cox
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Re: AA for cycling

Post by David Cox »

Just looked at the ETA website and the cost is now £24 per year which makes me even happier
toontra
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Re: AA for cycling

Post by toontra »

I've been with ETA for many years and (fortunately) never needed to call.
Price for my recent renewal was £18 with no-claims bonus.
As I ride in pretty remote areas and high mileages, it is for peace of mind as much as anything.

I'm a trendy consumer. Just look at my SM-G973F using hovercraft full of eels.

thirdcrank
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Re: AA for cycling

Post by thirdcrank »

The initiative linked in the OP involves riders wearing a type of uniform which - perhaps to the initiated - identifies them as representatives of CyclingUK. This touches on one of the aspects of anybody offering informal help to other riders: stranger danger.
millimole
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Re: AA for cycling

Post by millimole »

Back in the history of the CTC there was a network of Consuls who I gather were local fonts of information for tourists, but some would, apparently, offer emergency assistance to a greater or lesser extent.
This sounds like a reinvention of this type of wheel.
Leicester; Riding my Hetchins since 1971; Day rides on my Dawes; Going to the shops on a Decathlon Hoprider
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