metSept03

MEETING of hfcyclists

TUESDAY 2 September 2003, 7.30pm in the info centre

Present: John Griffiths, Stewart Wright, Louanne Tranchell, Bill Ogden, Alex Forrest, John Ryan, Chris Tranchell.

Apologies: Mark Alderton, Jane Knight, Roger de Freitas, Paul Alexander, John Gilbert, Jonathan Gurney, Simon Franklin, Chris Bainbridge, Sophie.

WELCOME

We welcomed Stewart and hoped he would be involved in our events.

PLANNING FOR EVENTS

Car Free Day: Monday 22 September 2003 3pm - 8pm. Greyhound rd/ corner with Fulham Palace rd. Everyone here except Stewart was already involved in the planning committee for this event, though through groups other than hfcyclists. John to talk to Stewart about how he could help. Anyone else who could help on the day or help promote it beforehand, please contact John G.

We agreed to provide some wine for our stall for our helpers on the day, and friends who visit.

Possible bike bus on morning of Thursday 18 September. This would be a protected marshalled ride for insecure cyclists. But it is already past the date for agreeing to do it. Bill pointed out an ideological problem in that if you support riders cycling into town, how do they get home. However we have no one to support this initiative.

HAMMERSMITH BRIDGE

Neil Thomson and John Griffiths recently had a meeting with Phil Nicholls [the Deputy Borough Engineer, operationally replacing Roger Khanna] and Chris Bainbridge.

Cycling on the footways of Hammersmith Bridge was discussed. We considered various options

a That between the piers it is made a cyclist priority area over buses. There is room for a car to pass a cyclist in these regions, but not for a bus to pass a cyclist. Roger Khanna had at one point ruled out green paint on the roadway as it is a listed building. But if no-cycling signs can be fused onto the footway, I think green paint would be allowed on the roadway.

b John R pointed out that buses should be limited to one at a time on the bridge. According to John R they break the barriers so that the can go across without waiting. However that may be a danger to the bridge, but not an added danger to cyclists.

c That one footway is used solely by cyclists, preferably the downstream one. However pedestrians should not be banned from a walkway of their choice.

d That new cycleways are built on the bridge, as per Hungerford Bridge and the Golden Jubilee walkways. The bridge is a listed structure. Louanne suggested contacting Lifschutz from the Richard Rogers Partnership, who had designed the Jubilee bridges. John pointed out that he had recently had a meeting with RRP concerning the Broadway, who were considerate and helpful, but not likely to spend time or money on speculative ventures.

e That consultants are meant to be looking at the roadway over the bridge this year. Hopefully they will be considering Alex's suggestions for improvements to the roadway, and for his ideas like drop kerbs to take you from the towpath onto the roadway on the south side of the bridge.

It is a little unclear who these consultants are. If they are consultants working for the Bus Priority Scheme for route 72, then they may not wish to protect cyclists at the expense of getting buses through at high speed. We await to see what the consultants will come up with.

John G will talk to Neil about the merits of bringing the matter up at the Environmental and Regeneration Scrutiny Panel, but we did not favour this highly.

HAMMERSMITH BROADWAY

Consultants are looking at this area. Soon they should have presented to Simon Franklin, the LBHF Cycling Officer, perhaps 5 outline ideas. John G will be going to a NW Sector meeting of Borough Cycling Officers in a weeks time where these ideas should be aired. Hopefully they will be considering surface level crossings.

Recently John G had a meeting with John Lowe of the Richard Rogers Partnership. John had hoped that they might be interested in promoting the area as an urban space. John has received a letter saying that they strongly support surface level crossings.

SHEPERDS BUSH GREEN

The roadworks at the SW corner of the Green are nearly finished. John G suggests that cyclists have been given a very low priority in the design of this junction, and as a result may use the pedestrian areas of the crossings. Phil Nicholls describes the work as a substantial improvement for pedestrians and cyclists. Your comments welcome when it is finished, or before.

THE TRAM

The Environment &Regeneration Scrutiny Panel will be considering the tram at its public meeting on 16 September, at 7pm. So far Tim Jones, the person selling the tram, has not given much consideration to cyclists. Promises to be an interesting meeting. Come along. See our web page for more info on the tram.

HOW CAN WE HAVE MORE PEOPLE INVOLVED?

John G had given out leaflets yesterday to passing cyclists. We should use the Car Free Day event to promote ourselves. John R was grateful that he was introduced to Mark Henley who is helping him. John G said it would be good if people could be involved in what we are doing and operate on our stall at Car Free Day.

UPCOMING EVENTS

On the subject of street parties, on Thursday 4 Sept, from 6pm to 9pm there is the Charlotte st party. Art galleries on this street and nearby Windmill street will be open, and it may be possible to pass oneself as a connoisseur and obtain some free refreshment. near Goodge St station.

Next week people are coming from all over the world to buy arms at DSEI2003, [Defense Systems and Equipment International]. Tuesday 9th Sept is a day on non violent action. see www.dsei.org.

On Wednesday 10th, Reclaim the Streets, who brought you the M41 party, are promoting a critical mass bike ride at 8am and a mystery street party at 4pm. This may not be the friendly ride, so well protected by the police outriders, that occurs at other CMs. The street party may be fun but may not be a picnic. Some people may take the view that you are being duped into providing cover for the activities of dastardly anarchists. Enjoy if you go. see www.rts.gn.apc.org/disarm

EXPENSES

John G had expenses of £14.17 for refreshments for tonight's meeting.

NEXT MEETINGS

Tuesdays 7 October, 4 November [our AGM].
Please PUT in your diary NOW.

John Griffiths [co-ordinator]
020 7371 1290 / Mobile phone just stolen
john@truefeelings.com
our website www.hfcyclists.org.uk