If you have problems to read the Coding, try it directly on the internet:

in English: http://www.bicycle.lt/repository/2008/m8_En_06.html

in German: http://www.bicycle.lt/repository/2008/m8_De_06.html l

as www.dviratis.lt news in Lithuanian: http://www.bicycle.lt/repository/2008/mLT_6a.html

IF YOU RECEIVE THIS MESSAGE SEVERAL TIMES and / OR DO NOT WANT TO GET IT AT ALL PLEASE WRITE TO FRANKAS@BICYCLE.LT !

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Dear future and former BaltiCCyclists!

So we passed Ligo – Jonines (Rasos) – Janipäev – or simply: Midsommer, the wildest celebration of the year. Well, at the momet we have showers for the weekends which do not really help cycling ...

And here's a greeting from Valentinas from Kaunas who is somewhere travelling in China with the tour on it's way to Beijing:

http://www.dviratis.lt/index.php?page=galerija&aid=139&item=1968#photos

In the next Newsletter (07/2008) - End of July (first in German, then in English)!
Development of Cycle routes in and Vilnius (including GPS): Works on the cycle map „Paths and & Routes in and around Vilnius“ (on paper and online) go ahead

Cycle routes in Latvia
First report of the non commercial cycle routes, cycle reports of travellers

Yours Cycling

Frank "Frankas" Wurft

First as usual a short overview

Non commercial

no compulsary helmets for cyclists in Lithuania – at least not for everybody ...
Vilnius – Cyclists' city? 700 participants on cyclists' demonstration
More Info on traditional cycle tour in Northern Lithuania in July
New Luxus-Express bus Riga-Siauliai-Klaipeda makes it easier to get to the Curonian Spit

More commercial

BaltiCCycle- bicycle rent & city tours by bike in and around Vilnius
Free of charge in the web store on www.bicycle.lt/shop !!!

Without competition

Reminder on Cycle tours supported by BaltiCCycle

so .... let's go...

I. no compulsary helmets for cyclists in Lithuania – at least not for everybody ...

After hot-blooded discussion on the planned duty for Cycle helmets, here the last changes of the law for all believers-in-helmets or pagans.

It seems to me, that in helmets you can believe in or not, but I found no real objective proof for them. One was falling and thinks it saves his live – I am cycling for 30 years and I never did fall on my head... Nu ja ...

After the original descission from November 2007 to introduce compulsary helmets from Juli, 1^st, 2008 there still was made a small change.

The second reading – fast running through the commitees of the Parliament before the summer break – brought a typical political compromise. Thus, the voting endet clear: YEA – 60, NOPE – 5, Substaint – 23.

And this is the result (bold the last changes)

Law on safe traffic on car roads

Art. 17, paragraphe 2:

„The cyclists are allowed to cycle on road with a bicycle equiped with a properly working break and a sound signal. At the end of the bicycle a red couloured reflector, on both side orange couloured reflectors or other reflecting elements fixed to the spokes must be. While driving on the road during the dark daytime or during bad viewing conditions, in the front a white couloured latern has to burn, as well at the end – a red couloured latern, the cyclist has to wear a light reflecting vest or other for other participants of the traffic well visible reflecting elements, fixed to the clothes. Cyclists (Passengers) up to 18 years while driving on the road have to wear and fasten a helmet. To other persons older than 18 years it is recommended to wear and fasten a helmet while driving on the road.

FINALLY :

a) Helmets only for children resp. Parents are responsible for their children

b) You ought to be seen in the dark

c) Lithuania becomes part of the civilised countries and has back lights for bicycles

Not CLEAR the question if anybody will care on the realisation of this law (Paper and reality are still two different thinks in Lithuania...)

Vilnius – Cyclists' city? 700 participants on cyclists' demonstration

After a lot of public interest on cycling since May – news reports, the discussion on compulsary helmets – also the spontanious demonstration „Critical Mass“ grew up to 700 participants (looks already quite impressive).

The critica mass in LT happens each last Friday of the month now in Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipeda, Siauliai, Alytus, Palanga, Kedainiai, Visaginas ...-

The whole action with no official organisor (we just meet and cycle a bit) has a new web page.

http://kritinemase.lt/

under „Primink“ (Remember!) you may find the media dust of the past ...

As well in Kaunas the „CM“ uses happen since June 2008 always on fridays

neutral overview on

http://cm.hardcore.lt

As well in Riga the „Critical Mass“ seens to happen... There on May, the 1^st some cyclists where arrested (like already last year in Vilnius) -

Info

http://criticalmass.wikia.com/wiki/Critical_Mass_(English_Wikipedia_article)#Riga.2C_Latvia

http://criticalmass.wikia.com/wiki/Critical_Mass_(English_Wikipedia_article)#Vilnius.2C_Lithuania