"I get knocked down but I get up again,
They're never going keep me down!"
Yes I am smiling today!!! ...
... because notwithstanding Australia's violent sexist regressive world of using bicycles as a means of transport, a little ray of sunshine has come into my world!!!!
Australia's very own Freestyle Cyclists and Upright Bicycle Riders of Australia were so outraged at South Australian legislative & judicial treatment meted out to me (and essentially all non-sporty cyclists) that they determined amongst themselves they would come to my (our) aid.
So they set up a crowd-funding platform ... the Aussie Bicycle Fighting Fund ... to raise monies to pay my South Australian court costs (including that ridiculous Victims' Compensation Levy) handed to me via videolink in the Broken Hill court back in December.
Do you know how this makes me feel?
Let me tell you!
Very very supported and very very emboldened!
My fighting batteries have been recharged, and I'm ready to unfurl the non-sporty cycling standard again to continue our march to 'freedom-on-how-we-choose-to-ride-our-bicycles' whether with helmets today or without them tomorrow or perhaps never donning them at all.
This supreme act of generosity goes beyond the actual $$$ value.
This supreme act of generosity represents solidarity and support along with a heartfelt reminder to me from all those amazing Freestyle Cylclists and Upright Bicycle Riders of Australia that:
'We're right here for you, girl!"
And as that virtual love reaches out to me I feel enveloped by a strong sense of a bear-hug and a large dollop of courage ... and I am so humbled and completely brimming over with gratitude!
GOSH ... THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH ... WOW!
And again I just can't say this enough, from the bottom of my heart to all the Upright Bicycle Riders of Australia and Freestyle Cyclists and all the many donors:
"THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! ... I TRULY TRULY WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO THANK YOU ENOUGH!"
And you know what else; so much money has been donated into that fund there's now technically a 'fighting-kitty' to support others like me who come by way of Australia's hatred of cycling!
Go us!!!!
So from me it's three cheers for the Upright Bicycle Riders of Australia and Freestyle Cyclists - HOORAY HOORAY HOORAY ...
... and just out of interest why weren't those two groups asked to be at #DeityDunc's recent round-table discussions on matter-cycling instead of the blokey sporty cowardly types from the Victoria's Bicycle Network (national 'try-hards'), Bicycle NSW (gutless wonders) and the Amy Gillet Foundation (whose chairman has blocked me on twitter - very grown-up)?
Yes, why weren't the Uprgight Bicycle Riders of Australia and Freestyle Cyclists included in #DeityDunc's chat on sharing the roads and vulnerable road users ... after all they are Australia's true cycling advocates.
But we all know why don't we - for that very reason, they are our true cycling advocates!!!
But anyhoo ... back to me ...
THANK YOU, UPRIGHT BICYCLE RIDERS OF AUSTRALIA AND FREESTYLE CYCLISTS - YOU GUYS ROCK!!! Xxx
Thanks for keeping up the good fight!
ReplyDeleteFantastic, Sue! Glad to hear it has helped. You're a brave and inspiring person! Thank you for all you have done (and continue to do) for helmet freedom in Australia. :)
ReplyDeleteWe cyclists are targeted nationally on a daily basis basically out of jealousy. #WHEELshowem #petroslobs #enjoyDENIAL
ReplyDeleteWe cyclists are targeted nationally on a daily basis basically out of jealousy. #WHEELshowem #petroslobs #enjoyDENIAL
ReplyDeleteI'd say every donation was a 'thanks' to YOU for standing up and being our hero, where many of us have simply given up cycling, or unwilling to face the consequences of riding a bike down to the shops like the rest of the world may do. I always hope things will change for the better with the work of the likes of you.
ReplyDeleteHi Sue I am in court next week over not wearing a helmet in NSW ,I wonder does the ruling in your favour by the District Court in 2010 still stand?Also did you have a ruling on your exemption application with the RTA ?
ReplyDeleteBrent
Hi Sue I am in court in NSW next week over not wearing a helmet, does the ruling in your favour in the District Court in 2010 still stand and also was you exemption application to the RTA successful?
ReplyDeleteBrent
Hi Brent, good to hear from you! In my 2010 District Court matter, the judge quashed my conviction (from Local Court) though ended up dismissing my appeal basically meaning that I didn't win but didn't get a conviction. So nothing there to help you really except that he was fairly sypmathetic to my arguments but not prepared to find for me. With the regards to the RTA, nothing! So I'm not much help to you. However when I go to court this August 2016, I am going to concentrate on regulation 256 itself from the Road Rules Regulation and point out how flawed and contradictory the provision is that says that paying passengers on three wheeled or four wheeled bicyclesw are exempt from wearing helmets unlike non-paying passengers - where's the safety in that? Maybe you could look at an argument along those lines too?!
DeleteGood luck and well done too - this civil disobedience is definitely necessary and all part of the long-game of changing our law!!!!!
Hi Sue
ReplyDeleteThe judge canceled the fine so there is just court costs and victims compensation levy to pay.I tried the defense of necessity but the judge said his hands were tied but at least I got a chance to make a case and he listened to everything I had to say.
As for overturning the law a High Court challenge may work although there are not many strong legal grounds.In the United States right now there are wealthy people paying for Supreme Court challenges even though they are not the litigant just to win a legal point.( this is perfectly legal. Alternatively given the new closely balanced Federal Parliament sometimes the minor parties do deals in exchange for voting one way they expect a concession.
A celebrity who challenged the fine would help.
Congratulations, Brent, well done ... and yes you're right re a celebrity challenging the fine!!!! That could make all the difference!
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