metApril2011

NOTES OF HFCYCLISTS MEETING
Tuesday 5 April 2011, 7.30pm
Held at home of Ayse Kardes, 50D Longridge rd, Earls Court, SW5 9SH

PRESENT: Ayse Kardes, John Griffiths, Gerry Berridge, Marta Wojcik, Petrina Helm, David Marsh. Susie Gretz, Loretta Reehill, Richard Chute,

APOLOGIES: Paul Saunderson, Kasia Oberc [who has damaged herself skiing, and we wish her well].

CYCLING SUPERHIGHWAY 9
CSH9 is due to run from Hounslow to Hyde Park Corner. On 17 March 2011 there was an inspection of the route through Hammersmith.

The inspection [CRIM] was led by TfL. John Griffiths and Tom Bogdaniwicz from the LCC were present. Chris Bainbridge and Colin Glendenning represented LBHF. LCC people and officers from Hounslow were also there. The route preferred by TfL to avoid cycling on the gyratory is mainly off-road and runs past the Apollo. The results from our survey and all comments made were fed into TFL. Details of the survey and route at
http://www.hfcyclists.org.uk/CSH9.htm

HAMMERSMITH BRIDGE - is it falling apart?
92% of cyclists in our survey said they would like to see a 20mph limit on the bridge. Now the road surface is falling apart. We have claimed that the fast moving traffic is the cause of this, and that the speed limit on the bridge should be reduced to 20mph on engineering grounds. I believe that the Council's position is that it is the weight of vehicles causing damage and that the speed makes no difference. Though for some reason they have put up signs saying 20mph limit due to loose chippings?

I believe this matter will be discussed internally at the Council on 18 April. If anyone has any thoughts on making our case stronger please contact me.
See more at http://www.hfcyclists.org.uk/bridge.htm

NO CYCLING BY THE RUTLAND
The Parks Constabulary and the Safer Neighbourhood Team have decided to clamp down on cyclists using the Lower Mall, ie near the Rutland and Blue Anchor pubs. They have offered a designated cycle route that includes right hand turns across the traffic on Hammersmith Bridge Approach.
See http://www.hfcyclists.org.uk/RutlandDiversion.jpg
See http://www.hfcyclists.org.uk/RutlandDiversionSafe.jpg

The group thought this alternative route was dangerous and we all agreed that it would be much safer to cycle under Hammersmith Bridge, and then go up the other side to Rutland Grove. A lot of families use the riverside route at weekends and directing them onto this diversion is positively dangerous. We agreed that John would send a note to that effect to Chris Bainbridge, and Cllr Nick Botterill, and others concerned. We hope that this will be accepted immediately in view of the potential danger to young children using the suggested route.

EARLS COURT PROJECT
Richard is very up to speed on this redevelopment, which may include the participation of LBHF land. There are plans to roof over the railway line from West Brompton going northwards, and make this a linear park. It looks like there will be a cycle track up to the West Cromwell rd [Talgarth Rd]. Richard would like to see a cycle track going all the way to Olympia. He says it should be possible to get through the proposed developments where Charles House was and Homebase is. But there is no actual cycle route proposed linking West Brompton with Olympia, which is what Richard would like to see.
See http://www.myearlscourt.com/

PUBLICITY
Gerry produced some documents that had been sent to her by Gerhard Weiss on becoming a member of LCC. These were handed out for further distribution. The advantages of becoming a member of LCC were discussed. It is also a matter of asking what you can do for the LCC, not only what the LCC can do for you directly. The annual membership cost is £32, with a concessionary rate of £14,
See http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=47

+++++
Susie has been finding out about plastic seat covers as a way of promoting our group. The cost for 1000 printed one colour on a coloured background was £890 +VAT. This was from www.totcalmerchandise.co.uk . This was a sort given out by RBKC and was made of PVC. Some present were very affected by the chemical smell, and David had to leave. Susie showed several designs she had developed. The general impression was that Susie had worked hard on the idea, but it would not be worth spending this kind of money on it. Just because we happen to have some money we are not under any pressure to spend it just to make it look like we are doing something.

Loretta and Richard mentioned the reflective stickers you can get from the LCC as possible better value for promotion. Richard suggested that we should work more closely with other local environmental groups like friends of the Earth, Greenpeace etc.

The real question is what do we want publicity for, who are we trying to attract? For our local group we want to encourage activists to join us who will be involved in the running of the group and participate in what we might do, be it campaigning, rides etc. John thought the best approach is to talk to cyclists in say Furnivall Gardens. To ask them their problems and tell them what we do and see if they are interested in joining us, and the LCC.

John and Kasia will work on a leaflet that can be printed off to give to cyclists, or be put in libraries etc.

BIKEWEEK
Bikeweek runs from Saturday 18 to Sunday 26 June.

Bikeworks is running a promotional event for their company on Shepherds Bush Green on Saturday 18 June, 1 - 5pm. There will be a Dr Bike, Cycle training, HGV / cyclist awareness, etc. These details were not available at the time of our meeting. We hope to have an information stand there.

Loretta suggested a family ride on the first weekend, and a longer one on the last weekend. John will lead one say to Richmond Park on the 19th, and Marta will lead a more challenging one the last weekend.

Some further suggestions, perhaps for before bikeweek - David suggested rides to houses of artisans of historic importance who once lived in the area. Richard suggested getting in touch with Hammersmith Historic Buildings Society for this. Loretta suggested making the stop on a ride a Bike Café instead of to a pub. There were several suggestions of nice places to go.

RIDES, EVENTS, ETC?

Saturday 9 April. 11am to 3pm, Open Day at Scrubs. At the community centre at the SW corner of the scrubs.

13 April, 2011 - 19:00 - 22:00
Greenpeace - Rainbow Warrior Fundraiser - Quiz Night - Chiswick
King George IV Pub, 185 High Road, Chiswick,
http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/groups/west-london/event/rainbow-warrior-fundraiser-chiswick

EXPENSES
Ayse had expenses of £29.65 for the food tonight. And a big thank you to those who brought further refreshments and drinks along.

DATE / PLACE` for next meeting
We will have our June meeting on 31 MAY to avoid clashes in the first week of June. 7.15 for 7.30pm start. This will be in the garden of Susie Gretz, 4a Eynham Rd, W12 0HA.
If the weather forecast is poor the venue may be changed at a late date, and we have a back-up place in mind.


John Griffiths [chair / co-ordinator]
020 7371 1290 / 07789 095 748
john@truefeelings.com
OUR WEBSITE www.hfcyclists.org.uk