Legal challenge launched and protests planned against Velo South

I have written to the protesters with a similar letter to that below. I also sent it to the local press, who have now asked for it to be sent in letter form for possible publication, which I have reproduced below. If it is published it will at least make what I hope are valid points to the wider readership, although probably too long and not adding fuel to the fire the press will, no doubt, be fanning.

Sir, the idea of the Stop Velo South (SVS) protest group organising an alternative to the Velo South event, for 2019, is very appealing. I would strongly recommend that SVS sell their proposal to the 15000 riders of Velo South, to attract them to the event, rather than antagonise them with attempts to have the event cancelled or disrupted. Clearly, any attempt to endanger participants would be likely to result in legal action against those responsible, only adding to the negativity. 
I can certainly understand the anger at the alleged lack of consultation, but I am struggling to understand the true motivation of the protest group. If they are genuinely going to propose a better event then they will need to close roads for safety. And if they intend to make it fully inclusive, this closure would probably need to be for the entire weekend. This means that, according to SVS, local businesses will be affected and residents will be 'trapped' in their homes, unless they hold it in someone else's back yard.
So that just leaves the commercial aspect. For the entrance fee, the organisers will incur a high level of cost just to manage an event of this scale. They will certainly be making a profit, and I can understand the annoyance that this profit is being made at the expense of some disruption, albeit for 1/365th of a year. However, what does not seem to be considered is that a huge amount of money is being raised for good causes. Sadly, because of a little disruption to their Sunday, SVS would deprive these good causes from receiving much needed money raised by these endurance cyclists. 
It is disapponting for businesses that are negatively affected, although the Velo South website clearly shows businesses that are making the most of the event and details the help given to them. In many cases, I am sure that affected businesses could have done more to make use of the day, but I also appreciate that moaning and calling for compensation is a route requiring less effort. Those businesses prepared to get off their backsides and sell themselves are going to have a profitable day, especially as some of the 'trapped' residents may well take advantage of the festivities. I have no connection with any organiser or sponsor, but am registered to ride in your beautiful region, with my son. We have two nights accomodation booked and will be spending money in restaurants and, hopefully, celebrating our achievement with a beer or two. Multiply that by 15000 and your region is set to benefit financially. That is not to mention the subsequent holiday bookings once people are introduced to the area.
Clearly, not all businesses can take advantage and not all residents can do without a car, which is why Velo South have offered assistance where there are special needs.  I sincerely hope that SVS is not limited to complaining and is capable of putting together an event that is so much better than Velo South - even though they don't yet know what that benchmark is. I, for one, will support whatever they do - if it is professionally and safely executed. Unfortunately, my experience is that 'walking the talk' is much harder than simply complaining. I would be interested to read details of the plan, which, if they are holding it in 2019, should be well underway. Have they discussed it with the local councils?  Have they got sponsors onboard? Have they planned a route that won't effect any businesses or trap people in their homes? No, didn't think so.
For those of you with a more tolerant nature, who wish to enjoy this spectacular day, I look forward to giving you a friendly wave.
 

Update: I have since heard from Velo South that they will not profit from this inaugural event and hope to make a £2 million donation to charity. I have updated the letter accordingly and resubmitted it to the press.

I live in West Sussex and some of the people I ride with are doing Velo South, so definitely some locals (for a given definition of "local") will be riding that day.

Also, I live on the London to Brighton route.  Several organised rides pass my house each year, including the BHF one in June when there are road closures and diversions to accommodate 30,000+ (I think) riders coming past all through the day.  Despite it being a pain to get around by car that day, I don't bitch about it - I sit out the front with my kids encouraging the riders (some of the riders really need encouraging by that time), and I find a cheery reminder that they still have Ditchling Beacon ahead of them always elicits a smile.  At least, I think it's a smile.

Our local Scout group has a refreshments stall on the village common which raises a lot for them, so the ride coming through the village benefits the village.

Glass half full vs glass half-empty.

162,000 leaflets sent out and only 3000 "members", that's 0.02% of the possible number making the positive step to join the organisation.

It's not exactly overwhelming support is it?

For real and with the almost identical whinings on Twitter.

Is this person for real or are they just unhappy that they won't be allowed out from under their bridge on that day...? 

Farmers have animals to feed, livestock to look after etc - it is a daily routine. Many farms are being blocked in this rural community.  Too many people are commenting without any real knowledge of the area or the people. So a cycle ride is important to some, visiting grandchildren, the impending birth of a baby is important to others. Neither should impinge on the other. As for raising money for charity, it is still possible to donate to charity without riding a bike.

" all of whom cannot leave their homes"

Really....?

Think of all the waaaaahmbulances that won’t be able to get to the poor motorists!

The only act of selfishness is from the organisers of Velo South who have created a circular route passing by thousands of residential houses all of whom cannot leave their homes. The roads are closed from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. making it impossible for residents to get about.

We have been alloted a time by Birmingham University to get our daughter there for her first year, we face the massive inconvenience of having to leave home the night before.

I have no problem with people wanting to cycle but not at the expense of inconveniencing so many other people, which the organisers have not taken in to consideration. Many other comments are comparing it with the Tour de France - but it is not, it is simply a money making excercise for the organisers. A better solution would have been to make the route a straight route thereby allowing roads to be opened after an hour or if there was desire to ride in a circle then hire Goodwood race track.

There was no consulatation prior to the event we simply received a leaflet through our door very unhelpfully telling us we couldn't leave our house on the 23rd September and to park on our own drive. I cannot believe the complete disregard and cheek. Outraged resident.

I have family and friends who live in Worcestershire, in the villages that were directly affected by the Velo Birmingham.

The organisers could have really helped themselves with a proper PR campaign, leaflet drop to all affected properties etc during the early stages.  The first many folk knew about it was when the road closure notification signs went up.

There seemed to be no consultation either between the county council and local councils.

They evidently did not learn their lesson.

It is all very well saying that the local economy benefits, but if, for example, you are a pub/restaurant on the route in some far-flung rural area, riders will not stop for sunday lunch.  So there goes quite a big % of your weekly revenue.

Barricaded 

If only sad-sacks like that could be barricaded in their own homes, for much more than one day. When I'm king etc.

It's funny, every year residents and businesses are affected by the Notting Hill Carnival. Businesses on the route effectively have to close (board up) for 4 days. No drama, just an accepted part of life every August Bank Holoiday weekend in this part of London.

And these poor Stop Velo dears can't bear to make adjustments to a few hours of one day, out of the 8,760 hours in a year. How sad!

I rode the (closed road) Mallorca 312 this year.  They give out a load of info with the entry pack and in one of the booklets state the estimated addition to the local economy is 16 million euros.  I am sure there are differences in scale as I am sure people will stay in Mallorca a bit longer than 1 night but it really is short sighted of the locals to scoff at this boost to the economy, especially as it is at the end of the tourist season!

I suggest that should they get there way that a "perfectly legal" cycling protest is organised to run on the original route. 

I do hope that the police let them protest only to move them out of the way when cyclists come, or force them to change the route of the protest. They can lawfully protest then without disrupting traffic. No need to cause disruption.

My mums house was right on the route of the Tour de Yorkshire in 2016. She could not get in or out for a day, so she held a garden party in her front garden, invited friends and sold cake for McMillan whilst they watched.

So at Velo Birmingham, there were reports of tacks and oil being put on the road, would that not just damage their car tyres the next day, stupidity seems very short-sighted.

The organisers of the protest were claiming they were going to be barricaded in their own homes all day because of the event!

I have some sympathy for them as I think CSM have done the absolute minimum and done it as late as they can in terms of making it clear to local people when and where roads would be closed.  The closures do seem incredibly long too, although the only closed road event I have done is Ridelondon.

There's a petition supporting the ride - https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/we-welcome-the-velo-south