metDecember09
NOTES OF HFCYCLISTS MEETING
Held on Tuesday 1 December
2009, 715 for 7.30pm
at the home of John Griffiths
122c Edith rd / West Kensington / W14 9AP
PRESENT: John Griffiths, Ayse Kardes, John Everard, Susie Gretz, Julie Askins, Shirin Khan, Gerry Berridge, David Marsh, Melanie Miller, John Wright, Yvonne Bailey, Elaine Hanley, Mihaly, Colin Murphy.
APOLOGIES: Sharon Norris, Paul Alexander, Paul Saunderson, Petrina Helm, Owen Powell
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Wednesday 6 January 2010, 715 for 7.30pm
at the home of John Griffiths
122c Edith rd / West Kensington / W14 9AP
LONDON CYCLING CAMPAIGN
We were fortunate in having a board member of the LCC with us tonight,
John Everard. JE explained a little about the LCC and how it interacted
with the local borough groups. Our local group, hfcyclists, is open to
members of the LCC and all other cyclists who are interested.
For the LCC the membership fee is a main source of funding for the campaign work it does. This concerns pan-London campaigns to promote cycling and make it safer. For example the LCC makes responses to plans for London policy changes concerning cyclists, cycling superhighways, dangers from HGVs etc. The LCC deals directly with the Mayor and TfL.
For the individual who joins, you are supporting these campaigns, and there is third party insurance, discounts in many bike shops, a useful magazine and the opportunity to become involved. We encourage you to become a member, and there are discounts for students, older people, those not earning much, etc. see www.lcc.org.uk. The website is also a mine of information for cyclists.
Very few of our members have had much dealings with the central LCC organisation, or met people from other groups. Opportunities exist at campaign workshops, joint events like the GREENFEST, the summer ride to Richmond, the coming ride to lunch in Richmond on 13 December, and at the coming LCC party on 16 December at 6pm.
HOW HFCYCLISTS ARE RELATED TO LCC
Recently the LCC has become a charity. The LCC considers local groups as part of the charity and the local groups assets are part of the LCC assets. The LCC has an AGM, and hence in LCC's eyes the local groups can only have an Annual Meeting, not an AGM, as an organisation can only have one AGM.
There has been discussion between local group co-ordinators and the LCC over a standard constitution for a local group. At the moment this is unresolved. Many groups have their own constitution, some do not have one or may be too small to fit the standard model. The proposed constitution allows groups to have participants who are not paid-up members of the LCC, but officers and members of the Management Committee need to be members of the LCC. Some consider a better option would be to require the three officers [Chair, Treasurer, Secretary] to be members of the LCC but allow non-members to join the Management Committee.
hfcyclists' constitution can
be found at
http://www.hfcyclists.org.uk/rules05.htm
and our last AGM at
http://www.hfcyclists.org.uk/metAGM09.htm
Ealing LCC on their website claim to be a charity and give the LCC charity number. JE thought that was reasonable.
For a local group it may be an advantage when seeking funding if you are part of a charity. On the other hand some funders require that a group has a turnover of less than £25k say. If you are seeking funding and are considered as part of the LCC, the turnover is over £1M. Hopefully we can have the best of all worlds.
DISCUSSION ABOUT THE LCC / CYCLING
JE was involved in a discussion over various suggestions.
David suggested that all motorists
should be trained to a higher level like the advanced motorist test to
make them more aware of cyclists and so be less of a danger. Elaine was
seeking clarification on cycling regulations. JE explained that the Highway
Code should contain such stuff, like the need for lights, reflectors on
the back, [and front?], and reflectors on your pedals.
The full Highway Code can be found at
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_070202
and the section for cyclists at
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/Cyclists/index.htm
Cycle training can be useful for people who have been cycling a while as well as for beginners. This would make them more aware of dangers and how to avoid them. Subsidised cycle training is available. see http://www.hfcyclists.org.uk/trainsub.htm
Julie was seeking advice on
becoming a cycle trainer, and hoping for some grant to cover the cost.
JE said if you lived in the NDC area some funding was available.
North Fulham New Deal for Communities (NDC) / http://www.northfulhamndc.org.uk/
John Wright was seeking information
on cycling craft. There should be some available somewhere on the internet.
A video about the danger of HGV's turning left, and blind spots, can be
found here.
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cycling/11687.aspx?lid=switcher
BIKE-IT IN LBHF
Owen Powell of Sustrans is now working with eight schools, with a ninth
about to apply. The eight are Melcombe, Larmenier, St Paul's, St Augustine's,
Holy Cross, Addison, Fulham Cross and The Good Shepherd. Langford will
hopefully be on board by next week.
PROGRESS AT LBHF
John spoke on the phone to Chris Bainbridge of LBHF before the meeting.
Things are looking positive.
The Upper Mall project is going ahead. This involves landscaping and the introduction of permitted cycling beside the river between the Ship and the Black Lion.
The advent of a ramp taking cyclists off the eastbound Uxbridge rd appears nigh. This would lead cyclists off the Uxbridge rd and take them towards Westfield or the toucan on the A3220, on the northern arm of the Holland Park roundabout.
To my mind the sensible thing would be to have made a decision where to put the ramp a long while ago. It could be before the crossing at the location of the present taxi rank. Or it could be after the crossing [Central Line Stn to West 12 centre] where the cycle racks have been put in. If the decision is after the crossing it could have been put in a long time ago.
After a long tussle between TfL who control buses and TfL who control taxis, the taxi rank is about to be moved back, ie westwards a bit towards the bus stands, leaving room for a possible cycle off-ramp just before the crossing. This taxi rank work is now about to be done and the intention is to use the crew to put in the ramp. A rapid decision about where the ramp is to go will be made. Something which might be considered is which position [before the crossing or after] will cause less cyclist / pedestrian interaction. If the ramp is before the crossing cyclists may have to get through pedestrians approaching the crossing.
On the section of footway near the Holland Park roundabout, between the bus concourse and the toucan over the A3220, TfL are going to put cycling permitted signs.
DANGEROUS CYCLING ON THE FOOTWAY AND FPN's
Following our letter to the Borough Commander, Kevin Hurley, John G approached Inspector Cassidy at the John Humphrey's "Meet the Leader" event. John G spoke before tonight's meeting to Paul Bambro, Partnership and Crime Prevention Inspector at Hammersmith Police Station, who has become involved.
Paul Bambro said that he and Kevin Hurley are of the opinion that Fixed Penalty Notices, ie tickets, should only be given to cyclists riding on the footway in a manner likely to cause danger to others. A document to this effect should be ratified soon and communicated to all police officers in the near future.
COMMUNITY SAFETY BOARD
Paul Alexander, on our management committee, is on the executive of the
Community Safety Board. This is a new body that involving the community
/ Council / Police. At the moment there are only two, one here and one
in Islington. Paul hopes to further discussion on Anti Social Behaviour
including road safety for all users, ie drivers using mobile phones, etc.
RIDES, EVENTS, ETC?
5 DECEMBER
THE WAVE - Climate Change Rally
http://www.stopclimatechaos.org/the-wave
Assembly & rally: 12pm, Grosvenor Square /
March sets off 1pm /
Climax: 3pm Encircling of Parliament
CYCLING to The Wave. LCC is
organising many rides to The Wave. see
http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=1572
6 DECEMBER
There is the Chiswick carboot sale on the first Sunday of the month, at Chiswick community school, entrance at the corner of Alexandra ave / Staveley rd W4 3UN, and the nearby farmers market. http://tinyurl.com/ml2vyy
Thames 21 cleanup
Join Thames21 and help clean-up Queen Caroline's Drawdock by Hammersmith
Bridge. 11.30am -2pm. http://www.thames21.org.uk/events.html
Ealing ride leaving from Ealing Town Hall at 9am to Wimbledon Common via back streets and cycle paths. 07880 797 437
7 DECEMBER
K&C LCC cyclists AGM - You are welcome to support our neighbouring
group
7.00pm - 8.00pm and becoming a bit of a social after.
Devonshire Arms, 37 Marloes Road, London W8 6LA
SUNDAY 13 DECEMBER
Ride to White Cross in Richmond for our traditional Xmas Lunch. Probably
travelling along the towpath, which might be muddy in places. Mudguards
and overtrousers help. When we get to the White Cross pub in Richmond
we will meet up with riders from a number of other boroughs in S W London.
They serve a fine pint of Young's ale in the pub, and provide good lunches
too, see reviews at http://tinyurl.com/yh7j9cj.
Our ride will start at 10.30am
from the platform overlooking the river at the end of Queen Caroline street,
where it meets the riverside path, almost under Hammersmith bridge. We
aim to be in the pub by noon. Bring lights and hi-vis wear for journey
back as it may be dark. Please let John know if you expect to be coming.
Contact John Griffiths: 020 7371 1290 / 07789 095 748
16 DECEMBER LCC party at 6pm
The usual annual gathering for everyone, at a new venue -
Shortwave Cafe/bar / 10 Bermondsey Square / London, SE1 3UN / 020 7357
6845
http://tinyurl.com/ydjb2ht
INTERESTING FREE MEETINGS AT
Dana Centre, http://www.danacentre.org.uk/events
Royal Society, http://royalsociety.org/events-diary/
EXPENSES
John had expenses of £28.66 for tonight's refreshments.
DATE / PLACE OF NEXT MEETING
There was discussion over how many people could make meetings on a Tuesday
or a Wednesday. Most people preferred Tuesday. Wednesday normally conflicts
with Brent meetings, but they do not have a meeting in January. We will
have our next one on
WEDNESDAY 6 January 2010. 715
for 7.30pm
at the home of John Griffiths
122c Edith rd / West Kensington / W14 9AP
John Griffiths [chair / co-ordinator]
020 7371 1290 / 07789 095 748
john@truefeelings.com
OUR WEBSITE www.hfcyclists.org.uk