metMarch09

Notes of hfcyclists meeting

Tuesday 3 March 2009, 7.30pm

At the home of Julie Askins
105, Henchman St
W12 0BN

PRESENT: Julie Askins, Susie Gretz, John Griffiths, Hanam, Colin Murphy, Chris Bainbridge [LBHF], Sharon Norris, Shirin Khan, David Marsh, Raphael, Paul Saunderson,

APOLOGIES: Stephen Burke, Roger de Freitas, Belinda Shattock, Paul Saunderson, Bjorn Volk, Marlene Pope, Phil Lamond, Sophie Gisbert, Gwen Cook

NOTES: by John Griffiths, parts relating to Chris Bainbridge corrected and amended by Chris.

WELCOME

We were pleased to welcome Chris, who is head of Transport Planning for LBHF.

We were pleased to see new people here tonight. Some brief introductions:
Hanam is new to cycling and has just had a subsidised lesson with Cycle Training UK through the Borough training scheme.
Colin has been on the email groups of several LCC borough groups, and he is involved with several parts of London. He would like to see closer co-operation between local groups.
Sharon used to mountain bike a lot in Scotland, and wants to start again. She teaches journalism.
Shirin has cycled for a long time and has gone on many charity rides. Later on she explained she would like to help organise trips to places by bike with us.
Raphael is a kid who popped in briefly from next door, and much to Chris's pleasure he said there was nothing wrong with cycling facilities in LBHF.

CYCLE THEFTS AND THE CRIME SUMMIT

Susie and Paul and John had attended the Crime Summit held at Hammersmith Town Hall last weekend. There was a central meeting, we then broke up into ward groups to find the 3 most important things that the Safer Neighbourhood teams should concentrate in each ward, and then back for a round up.

Susie gave her impressions, in that in her area there were a lot of concerns other than cycle theft, and cycling on the pavement was one of them.

In the round up two wards along the river wanted speeding cyclists on the river walkway to be dealt with as their first concern. At our meeting Chris remarked that the council would like to put up discrete signs along the riverside walk saying "cyclists give priority to pedestrians", as have been placed along the towpath between Hammersmith and Putney Bridges, rather than ineffectual "no cycling" signs.

At Parsons Green the emphasis was on zero tolerance for cyclists on the pavement.

The official LCC position is that the law should be obeyed. But we would like the problem people to be addressed, rather than a ticket being given to everyone.

John will write to Cllr Greg Smith, who convened the crime summit, welcoming the desire to crack down on inconsiderate cyclists, but would recommend sensitive policing where a cyclist acting in a considerate manner is not treated with the full harshness available. He will also recommend that vandalism to bikes is considered under antisocial behaviour, as it encourages the broken window syndrome of desolate bikes lowering the perceived safety of the area, and that cycle theft is considered as vehicle crime

The Borough Commander Kevin Hurley told John that there was a video clip of the arrest being made at Sloan Square of someone selling an allegedly stolen bike through eBay. The seller was quite surprised to suddenly find he was handcuffed. He was part of the group that we have been monitoring on eBay.

Paul spoke to the Borough Commander and found out that there are many recovered stolen bikes that have not been returned to their owners.

WESTFIELD:

We were pleased to have Chris here who might be able to provide some answers about how things are at Westfield and Shepherds Bush Green.

John explained our main concerns. Now all the construction appeared finished, and the final Stage 3 Road Safety Audit had taken place, how were remaining problems going to be addressed, and who was in charge of doing so.

Particular problems included putting in a dropped kerb to get eastbound cyclists off the Uxbridge rd to head towards the great facility that is the Toucan crossing of the A3220, and on the Eastern Access rd the quality of the cycle track not being up to London Cycling Design Standards. It is adjacent to the carriageway rather than spaced away from it. On Ariel way there is a crossing next to a large concrete cube where space is restricted, and sight lines poor.

Chris explained that things were not actually finished yet. By the West 12 Centre the cycle track is being extended up to the crossing, but with a more subtle design. On the north side cycle markings were about to be set in the footway area.

In the area leading past Shepherds Bush Central Line station into Westfield, a compromise six month trial had been agreed, with "cyclist dismount" signs, although these had not been installed yet. Chris preferred fewer signs, with them only being installed when there was a problem. He had observed that there was usually a lot of space in the bus area and it may be appropriate to encourage cyclists to use it. There were mixed impressions from various people as to how busy Westfield was these days, some saying it was nearly deserted. Sharon said that on a recent Sunday it was very busy.

Concerning a dropped kerb, Chris said LBHF were minded to do this, but there was a problem with the presence and location of the taxi bay. When this bay is occupied it has been identified as a safety hazard as it restricts the road width. LBHF were now consulting on its relocation, which would depend on how much bus standing space London Buses needed on the north side of the green.

However the uncertainty over the taxi rank means that a decision of where to put the dropped kerb has been delayed, as it might be put where the bay is now.
[post meeting note by JG: If the dropped kerb is placed where the taxi rank is now, just before crossing, it means leading the cycle track on the footway through people waiting at the crossing. As that is an unlikely scenario, I cannot see why this is given as a reason for delay. Any markings on the footway on the north side should be placed after the location of a dropped kerb exit ramp is located.]

It was Colin who found out that the Eastern Access rd and the lifts have now been finished, but TfL have not opened the route on the bridge over the A3220. Chris explained that Hugh Richards, working for TfL, has identified a sight line problem as a safety issue for pedestrians/cyclists on a crossing. This may take a few months to fix. Chris said that until this route is open we will not know what problems the pedestrians and cyclists will face in along the Eastern Access rd and Ariel Way.
[Post meeting note by CB: I understand that the crossing is to be opened by the end of this month]

On Ariel way, LBHF land, at a brief inspection ride held in January, those present considered that the design of the cycle track and crossing at the concrete cube was not satisfactory.
[Post meeting note by CB: the Stage 3 Safety Audit has picked this up as a problem]

John said that if the problem concerned disability issues, there is a Disability Discrimination Act officer in the Council who would be on the case. Similarly there should be someone in the Council checking that cycling facilities are designed and implemented to a satisfactory standard. As it is there appears to be no one carrying out this function.

Chris did not agree with this analysis and said that TfL, Halcrow and Council officers had spent many hours poring over the design of cycle facilities, and John had been at several of those meetings. Chris agreed that not all the cycle facilities were perfect, but thought it was important to see how the area was being used before rushing into changes which may not be appropriate.

John asked what parts were the responsibility of Westfield, and how pressure could be put on them. As the cycle route through Westfield is the subject of planning Condition 2 of a planning application, perhaps the way forward should be to approach the Planning Applications Committee to seek enforcement.

Chris added that LBHF had several outstanding issues to be resolved with Westfield. LBHF would like Westfield not to charge for its Disabled Parking. As it is Blue Badge holders park in Macfarlane Road where it is free, leaving fewer spaces for residents. There is also meant to be secure parking for cyclists, something along the lines of the system at Finsbury Park. Perhaps this will be put in with a café at the bus station on Wood Lane.

ANDREW BOFF

Chris also added that he had met Andrew Boff, who has been installed as the Mayor's [Boris Johnson's] cycling champion. Chris added that the Mayor has made a lot of commitments to improve cycling in London and is open to ideas on how to do this.

GREENFEST 2009

This is coming along. Time now to really get it together. If any one wants to be involved in the planning, or to help on the day, please contact John [as below]. Event on Sunday 14 June. See www.greenfest.org.uk.

RIDES, EVENTS, ETC?

Many of the people here were keen on rides and much enthusiasm for future rides and many suggestions. Meanwhile with further details on the LCC website at
http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=55

Birds on Bikes /

Saturday, March 07, 2009 Time: 6.30pm
Place: Dragon Hall, 17 Stukeley Street, London, WC2 5LT
Description: Birds on Bikes is an LCC-organised evening ride that celebrates International Women's Day Everyone's welcome at this event, which is female-focused but not exclusive to women.

Parks of West London with view of St Pauls

Sunday, March 15, 2009
Time: 9.30am Place: Gloucester Road Tube, SW7 4SF
Description:(Approx 25 miles) Tube to Richmond, then to Richmond Park. / Bushy Park / Syon Park / Osterley Park / tube back. Very interesting ride.

AND

Sunday 29 March
Barbecue to watch the boatrace, 2pm at the mile post, on the towpath between Hammersmith Bridge and Putney Bridge. Bring some food and drink. Perhaps a bit more feral than an event in Bishops Park. More later from john griffiths

SHEFFIELD STANDS

Bjorn has 9 Sheffield stands and is looking for places where they might be put. Contact Bjorn at bjorn.volk@lbhf.gov.uk

CYCLING COLUMN IN THE H&F NEWS

David introduced the idea of having a cycling column in the H&F News. Chris said the editor is Geoff Cowart. Sharon said some of her students might like to do it. David said he was interested.

EXPENSES
Julie had expenses for refreshments for the night of £22.31. John reimbursed her with cash and a cheque to John for the amount was made out later.

DATE / PLACE OF NEXT MEETING

Tuesday 7 April. 7.15 for 7.30pm, [PUT IN DIARY NOW]
At the home of John Griffiths
122c Edith rd
London W14 9AP

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