Birmingham Friends of the Earth Action Briefing April /May 1999

From: Stan Jackson

I am an eighty-five year old long-standing member of FOE Sydney. At a recent meeting I suggested that carrying a Caring for our Earth (CFOE) banner by bike across the world and linking up FOE groups would be an excellent way of spreading our basic message. And particularly appropriate if put on at the start of our new millennium - 2001 or 2002 might be possible.

My Sydney FOE group welcomed the idea and, since I have had a good deal of experience in long distance international cycling, the group gave me the task of contacting FOE groups outside Australia to put the idea to them.

Taking UK as an example, here is an outline of how the idea would work:

• Time slot. UK would be allocated a time slot as indicated in the provisional itinerary overleaf. UK groups would get together and decide what ride route linking the groups taking part, and broadly within the time allocation, would be possible.
• Carrying the banner. Each group would find a rider or riders to carry the banner to the next group on the route decided. This might he just a days ride - perhaps less. The last group on the UK route would have the responsibility of getting the banner to a FOE group in the next country on the across the world route.
• Co-ordinating the ride. FOE Sydney would obtain agreement from world FOE groups on the ride itinerary and act as general Co-ordinator.

The above are the only essentials; very simple and very practical, since in many parts of the ride route FOE groups are so close that only a day's ride would be required. It should be possible to find enthusiastic, experienced FOE bikers for the longer stages, perhaps even a core doing a complete ride through one country or more. To avoid expensive air travel, arrangements could be made with airlines to carry the banner where necessary.

A bike ride on these lines would be a world first and would attract a lot of publicity, both nationally and internationally. It would be an outstanding promotion of our cause. And, moreover, by linking FOE groups, it would inspire FOE members across the world.

I shall be in UK from the middle of May this year to the end of June, to do a bike ride (London, Lands End, John O'Groats). I expect to be in Birmingham on Friday 25 June, and would love to meet some of your members and, hopefully, gain your group's support for the proposed world ride. Alternatively, Tuesday June 1, might be possible though less convenient than 25 June. Perhaps you could Iet me know which date would suit you best.

Regards

Stan Jackson