Looking at the basic BC 'ride membership' seems to have a better deal but is there something I'm not thinking of?
Commute and looking to do some audaxes, not a member of a club yet but going along to a ride on sunday...if any of that makes a difference.
BC if you are joining a club, I guess. I'm a member of CTC for family and LCC from work. May switch to BC as I plan to race next year for my club.
The CTC magazine is pretty good, and the 10% off in most shops I frequent has paid for itself during the past year.
Are they the only benefits over BC? Reckon I'd use the Wiggle discount quite a lot.
CTC do more for common everyday "Cyclists" imo. BC are a bit power hungry with regards qualifications/events/everything from what I've heard which puts me off them. Good for event insurance though. Swing/round abouts etc. [no direct personal experience, just what I get from people who do]
CTC, the magazine is great, I love reading about the other types of cycling and their letters page has classic moans from old blokes who think MTB is new-fangled.
They also have specialist solicitors in case you end up in any strife (I haven't checked if BC has the same)
But most important they are the most effective and coherent lobbying group who act on behalf of all cyclists. I don't always agree with them but in general it's more good than bad.
CTC had a spokeswoman on the radio yesterday agreeing that bicycle and rider registration was a good idea.
BC for me then.
I was trying to think where I'd heard that wwaswas, ta. Need to look into that more.
CTC had a spokeswoman on the radio yesterday agreeing that bicycle and rider registration was a good idea.
Seeing as they're against mandatory helmets, forced segregation, and regularly ridicule the idea of a registration system that sounds like a mistake (or it's been taken out of context).
[quote=wwaswas ]CTC had a spokeswoman on the radio yesterday agreeing that bicycle and rider registration was a good idea.
BC for me then.
I'd like more details of that too.
it wants to be (a mistake or out of context), my CTC membership is due
Was hoping there was going to be a bigger difference, reckon I'll go with BC 'ride' membership as that's cheaper and you get the wiggle discount.
someone posted it up on twitter yesterday but can't remember who now
[edit]found it;
[i]CTC nutjob on the local news talking about tax disc and registration disc for all adult cyclists. Glad I didn't renew my membership.[/i]
was @bigrichwood and he seems to have a blog so could probably be found through that for further info...
I made the mistake of giving BC my email address once, got so much junk mail from them it was untrue, even after my membership lapsed. Had to repeatedly ask their admin guy to remove my email from their SPAM generator / bulk emailer, which he eventually did.
I am a member of both 🙂 (and Sustrans)
BC for racing.
CTC for touring/leisure.
No problems with either, there is some cross-over these days. I support both as they both campaign and lobby for cyclists.
Both offer insurance cover, shop discounts, legal assistance (but this is just no win, no fee stuff so not that special...)
The CTC magazine is OK, a bit dated but it is trying to cover a wide readership.
If you are a racer/sportif/club rider, then go for BC
If you are a tourer/leisure rider, go for CTC
Sean
I went with BC. Primarily for insurance reason both on and off the track.
Discounts are pretty decent too. Especially if you are thinking about a boardman bike...
Always been swayed to the easy going ways of the CTC but the cost !!!!
I went for the BCF I already get the wiggle 12% discount it's the same as a platinum customer but handy if you haven't already spent a small fortune at Wiggle 😳
I don't get any junk e-mail other than the one BCF e-mail a week.
Can I suggest joining [b]Sustrans[/b] as well?
http://www.sustrans.org.uk/support-sustrans/become-a-supporter
In my opinion they do far more to get people regularly using bikes than CTC or British Cycling - which seem more focussed on touring and racing respectively, rather than every day cycling like commuting.
You could always join Critical Mass.
If there was actually anything to join and you had any idea what it was about.
Went with CTC after several years dithering: no regrets. I don't race at all.
Wiggle discount is good but the legal support included was great when I got hit by a car. Got a good settlement without having to try too hard.
MTB side is getting more prominent now and campaigning is strong. I'm a Right to Ride off-road volunteer now and active in the local RoW forum.
Joined BC from simplicity with the Mega. Insurance was covered elsewhere.
Not really sure what I got for my money. Didn't renew.
Only really seems worth it if you are collecting racing points.