CTC and CDF are now linked charities

By RhiaFavero
Thursday, 28 November 2013
CTC and the Cyclists' Defence Fund have been officially linked.

The linking process

CDF was set up by CTC as an independent charity in 2001, before CTC itself acquired charitable status. Having done so now, CTC has been formally linked with CDF, a process that has simplified the charities’ administration and will allow CDF to be better integrated with CTC’s campaigning work.

The charities have retained strong ties to each other since CDF was established. The linking process has served to cement these ties, whilst maintenance of CDF’s separate board of trustees and separate accounts has retained CDF’s independence.

We have always worked closely with CTC and are delighted to have made that link more official.  It gives CDF a stronger presence within the cycling community and will certainly further our ambition to act as the legal voice for cyclists throughout the UK."

Chris Field, Chair of CDF

Services provided by CDF

CDF’s aims are: to advance the education of the public in the relationship between cycling and the law; to further the sound development, administration and knowledge of the law; and to preserve and protect the health and safety of the public by encouraging and facilitating safe cycling.
 
CDF achieves these aims by: commissioning and publicising research into the law; providing guidance on the law and links to relevant legal resources on its website; and providing support in legal cases which could clarify the law, especially cases which have the potential to set legal precedents. 
 
CTC has been protecting cyclists for 135 years, and we are delighted to be working more closely than ever with our friends at CDF. Together we will do the best possible job of supporting cyclists in a legal system that is sometimes stacked against them."

Gordon Seabright, Chief Executive of CTC

 
CDF recently supported one cyclist's challenge of a fixed penalty notice (FPN) which he received when he failed to stop behind the second white line of a cycle box because the box was occupied by a car.
 
222 individuals donated over £2500 to fund the legal costs of the case. CDF wrote a letter to the Crown Prosecution Service, signed by a total of 6 organisations, urging the case to be dropped. This week the CPS announced that they would discontinue proceedings

CDF’s website offers a range of advice - from what to do if a cyclist is involved in a crash, to the legal status of helmets and the legal requirements for a bicycle. The website also provides links to useful resources for cyclists, campaigners and legislators.

Individuals seeking financial assistance for a legal challenge should submit an application via the 'apply for our help' page on the website. 

Safe drivers and vehicles Cyclists' Defence Fund Road Justice