metNovember10
NOTES OF HFCYCLISTS MEETING
Tuesday 2 November 2010, 7.30pm
at the home of John Griffiths, 122c Edith rd, West Kensington, W14 9AP
PRESENT: John Griffiths, Ayse Kardes, Julie Askins, Paul Saunderson, Loretta Reehill, Octavio Moreno, Susie Gretz, David Marsh.
APOLOGIES: Gerry Berridge, Ruth Mayorcas, Petrina Beaufoy Helm, Sharon Norris.
WELCOME TO ANYONE NEW
We were pleased to meet Loretta and Octavio. Loretta now has her own bike
and later gave us her experiences of using the Barclays Bike Hire scheme.
Octavia is from Barcelona and told us about cycling there. He is looking
for work here in IT.
UPDATE ON WESTFIELD
We have learnt from Matt Veale of LBHF about the state of access from
the eastbound Uxbridge road to the Toucan crossing of the motorway spur,
the A3220. There are two options being pursued,
a] to alter the bus only restriction for entering the bus concourse, or
b] to put in a ramp off the Uxbridge road before the crossing outside
the Central line stn going to the W12 centre.
Engineering solutions are being drawn up for both options, and now the
financial situation over which pot of money is going to be used is resolved,
perhaps a solution will be forthcoming, 2 years after the opening of Westfield.
THE LIP
The LIP is the Local Implementation Plan, setting out how LBHF intends
to spend the allocated money over the next 3 years in accordance with
the Mayor's Transport Plan for London. John spoke on the phone to Chris
Bainbridge of LBHF concerning the 7 points we have put forward as suggestions
to be in the LIP. Chris has sent John a note indicating the possible status
of our points, saying that the draft LIP is still in the process of being
written by other officers. This draft is to be presented to Members, ie
a committee of leading Councillors, in private on 4 December.
A very brief summary of these points and the comments follows: Read our points and the comments in full if you are interested in pursuing matters. Our 7 points and Chris's comments are on our website at http://www.hfcyclists.org.uk/lip.htm
1] There should be a 20 mph limit on residential roads.
Comment: Our approach is to do it neighbourhood by neighbourhood, as residents
want it.
2] Making Hammersmith Bridge
less dread inducing and safer for cyclists, we suggest 20mph limit, or
a no overtaking rule.
Comment: Few casualties on bridge, we have dealt with the bridge approach
where there have been casualties. High cyclist modal share already on
bridge [% of cyclists compared to buses, cars, motorcyclists, pedestrians].
Probably better to spend money on other barriers to cycling, unless evidence
shows present arrangements really deter cycling.
3] Cycle theft
Comment: Already co-operating with Safer Neighbourhood Teams, inc stings.
4] Reducing illegal parking
in cycle lanes, having a target.
Comment: Most places advisory, will see what data is already available
from parking teams, as expensive to collect new data.
5] Effective Performance Indicators
for increase in cycling.
Comment: modal share already highest in London
6] Action should be taken pro-actively
on places where cycling dangerous or inconvenient.
Comment: Good idea to look at areas where a lot of cycling on pavement
occurs to indicate where to make improvements in neighbourhood and corridor
schemes.
7] The South side of Hammersmith
Gyratory
Comment: Surface level crossings already in plans to enable crossing of
Fulham Palace rd.
It is possible that some of the Councillors may have a more progressive and revolutionary approach than some of the Council Officers involved in writing the LIP. John will try to arrange a meeting with Cllr Nick Botterill in the near future to see if we can influence the writing of the LIP, as once the draft is written any changes will be harder to influence. If anyone wants to be at such a meeting and is prepared to help sort out a case that may convince a Councillor to intervene, please contact John, as below.
GREENFEST
John said that after discussions with some of the people involved this year, we will not be organising the GREENFEST next year. This is partly because the support John received this year, 2010, in the planning and promotion stage was less than in the previous year. The number of hits on the website, and the number of visitors, was down from 2009. Other factors include that fact the event itself has overtaken the cycling contribution, and funding may be more difficult to come by next year.
In 2012 we may come back with a revitalised GREENFEST with a new energy and concept. Thanks for all the contributions and work people did this year, and for all the work that was done on the day.
OUR NEW PROJECTS
At last month's meeting those present discussed how we could spend the money we have accumulated. Paying for Dr Bikes regularly was one option discussed. This would be a way of using up money, but what we really want is projects where we can be involved and promote cycling, having the money on hand if necessary.
Suggestions including running a stall, giving cyclists advice on not being crushed by lorries, promoting ourselves via bike shops, advice on adequately locking a bike, promoting ourselves at the LCC stand at the cycle show, [which may be moving to Birmingham NEC next year], better co-operation with neighbouring groups and also linking up with groups like Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace etc. Having a presence at Time of your Life. Projects where we make videoclips using a head cam.
WEB PRESENCE
Our website www.hfcyclists.org.uk contains a lot of factual information, especially about the Council, but is not very exciting. Julie was suggesting making it more exciting, and also having a Facebook page. We have started designing a Wordpress page to be used as a blog which anyone could write to if given author status, but it needs refining and some work, and someone to act as administrator.
If people want to be involved with web projects please contact John as below.
BIKE HIRE SCHEME
Loretta has been using this and is a keen advocate. She explained how
it is used. First you need to buy a key for £3 [by phone or over
internet], which is posted to you. To make sure it has been picked up
by to the right person you need to phone them so that they can check your
identity. You can charge the key with money for the day, week or year.
When using a bike the first half hour is free, and price goes up rapidly
with time. It is possible to ride for half an hour, drop bike, wait 5
minutes and pick up a bike again to continue the journey. Worth trying
out.
So far the docking stations do not extend to LBHF, and there are plans
to extend the zone eastwards.
REPORTING PROBLEMS
David brought up the problem of a pothole in Shortlands. There is a page
on our website http://www.hfcyclists.org.uk/potholes.htm . This leads
to the page on the LBHF website for reporting such problems, and also
to a TfL page for all boroughs.
CYCLE PARKING
Both Paul and John have suggested to the Council the need for cycle parking
outside Cycle Surgery, on Shepherds Bush Green at the corner of Rockley
rd. So far nothing has appeared, or has been heard.
LCC has a page for suggestions for Cycle parking http://www.cycleparking4london.org.uk/
LCC AGM
If you haven't already, don't forget to book your place at the LCC AGM
on Wed 17 Nov http://lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=1532. This year we have
a Question Time style panel discussion with GLA members - should be interesting.
RIDES, EVENTS, ETC?
EALING LCC ride to RAF Hendon
Sunday November 7, 2010
Meet Ealing Town Hall, Uxbridge Road, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
A return trip to the museum at Hendon. An amazing place spread over massive
galleries showing the history of flight. Even if you're not into planes
the trip there and back shows some delightful back roads from Ealing to
Hendon
HFCYCLISTS Annual ride to White
Cross in Richmond for lunch.
Sunday, December 12, 2010, 10.30amTime:
Meet on the platform overlooking the Thames at the end of Queen Caroline
st, almost under Hammersmith Bridge. Leaving at 10.30am
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.
Please Bring lights and hi-vis wear for journey back as it may be dark.
Please let John now if you expect to be coming.
Contact: John Griffiths
Telephone: 07789 095 748
Email: john@truefeelings.com
EXPENSES
Julie had expenses of £18.93 for refreshments at last months meeting.
John had expenses of
£27.75 for tonight's refreshments
£4.02 for refreshments from July not claimed before
£15.78 for web name renewal
£10.58 for web hosting fee.
Thanks to those who brought contribution tonight.
DATE / PLACE OF NEXT MEETING
Tuesday 7 December, 7.15pm
for 7.30pm
At the home of Ayse Kardes
50d Longridge rd, SW5 9SH [1 bell down from the top]
[about 200m SE of the big Tescos on the Talgarth rd/ Warwick rd junction]
020 7370 5901 / 07882 093 489
John Griffiths [chair / co-ordinator]
020 7371 1290 / 07789 095 748
john@truefeelings.com
OUR WEBSITE www.hfcyclists.org.uk