A to B m a g a z i n e

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Issue 86 October 2011 A to B 40 Manor Road, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 2AX, England

ISSN 1460-0587 . tel 01305 259998

email (subscriptions & advertising) teresa@atob.org.uk (editorial) atob@atob.org.uk . web www.atob.org.uk

Editor David Henshaw . Administration Teresa Ridout Contributors Judith & Neil Forsyth . Thanks to David Edge, Ralf Edge Printers Ian Allan Printing Ltd . Next deadline 26th November 2011

We’ve lived with good, bad and indifferent transport ministers for decades, with very few standing out as being strong enough to tackle entrenched lobby groups and make the brave decisions that are so desperately needed. Little is known about Justine Greening MP, but although her opinions are thought to be right of centre, she’s young and she rides a Brompton, or at least she did seven years ago when she entered parliament.The lesson of history is that she will leave transport just as soon as something better comes along, but let’s hope she makes some good decisions while she’s there. One decision the Tories might quietly defer, or put to sleep for good, is the vexed question of High Speed 2 - should it be London to Birmingham, or London to Leeds/Manchester, or even Glasgow/Edinburgh. Or quietly shelved... DAVID HENSHAW

Contents The Mole . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 A to B L e t t e r s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 A to B News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 4 P i vo t ’s Co r n e r : ‘ G r e e n ’ L i g h t B u l b s . . . . . . . . . . . 1 8 B ro mp t o n I n n o v a t i o n : Dua l S h i f t e r s . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 T h e Tr i a l : Conv - e Powe r - A s s i s t K i t s . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 Europe by Bike & Public Transport: I t a l y . . . . . . . . . . 2 8 Te s t e d : Po l i c eWitnes s J u s t i c e Camera . . . . . . . . . . 3 6 Te s t e d : C y c l e A n a l y s t , A n a l o g ge r & L umenator . . . . 4 2 A to B Sm a l l s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 6

COVER: Snapped riding a Brompton in 2005, Justine Greening MP is now Transport Secretary PHOTO: Simon Merrett (thanks to BikeBiz)

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A to B 86 Oct 11