Tower Hamlets Wheelers
NEWS RELEASE 1 May 2003
For immediate release
Ref THW11Workshop010503
First Public Wheelers Workshop a Great Success
April's "Wheelers Workshop" saw nearly 20 local people learn from
experienced Tower Hamlets Wheelers cyclists (1) how to get their bicycles
fixed. Old bikes and spare parts were donated by participants who then
helped to re-cycle the bikes into usable machines. The bikes will then be
sold on at low-cost to local people, and half the money raised will go to
the Cyclists Defence Fund (2). The project is being funded by the Community
Chest (3), Tower Hamlets council (4) and Wheelers funds raised from T-shirt
sales (5).
"The emphasis is on self-help," says Wheelers Co-ordinator Owen Pearson. "We
cannot guarantee that we can fix your bike for you but we have the tools and
space for you to have a go yourself. Experienced cyclists are on-hand to
give advice and show you how it's done."
The launch of the self-help mike maintenance workshop at Limehouse Town Hall
in March saw GLA Transport Committee chair John Biggs get some help fixing
his gears. In April's session (Saturday 26th), as well as bike-fixing and
re-cycling, the workshop was host to a bike-decoration "road test" in
preparation for the Wheelers' "be visible" bike and helmet decoration
activities that they plan to hold during this summer's Bike Week events (6).
Fiona Reid aged 11, a Year 6 pupil at Stepney Greencoat CE Primary School
and Ikeda Lad aged 6, whose father Bharat's Whitechapel design business
creativezones was recently featured in the Evening Standard for its
bicycle-friendly "green" credentials, tested out the "be visible" kit and
colourfully decorated their bikes.
The Workshop is free for users and runs on a donations basis (suggested
amount: £1 per session). It is held on the fourth Saturday of every month at
11am-3pm at Limehouse Town Hall, 646 Commercial Road and the next session is
on Saturday 24th May.
ENDS
Further info
Pictures can be emailed on request - please contact Alix Stredwick
alix@towerhamletswheelers.org.uk tel 020 8880 6873. CDs of pictures are in
the post first class or hand-delivered today to local papers.
Contact Alix for further details about this story.
Notes
(1) The Tower Hamlets Wheelers is the local cycle action group in the east
London Borough of Tower Hamlets, campaigning for better cycling facilities
and encouraging more people to cycle - for health, the environment and for
London. The Wheelers are affiliated to the London Cycling Campaign, the
largest urban cycling campaign in the world.
(2) The Cyclists' Defence Fund was established in 2001 by the CTC -
Cyclists' Touring Club, the national cycling organisation - in the
wake of a case where Provident Insurance accused the parents of 8-year-old
Darren Coombs of negligence after he was involved in an accident while
riding his bike. The outrage expressed by CTC and hundreds of cyclists
forced Provident to back down and withdraw its claim that Darren should have
been wearing a helmet and should have been supervised.
(3) The Wheelers are very grateful to St Katharine & Shadwell Trust for the
grant they are administering from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund's Community
Chest budget, which has granted the Wheelers £4456, £1400 of which is for
the workshop. The remainder is for other projects for which we will be
issuing a news release shortly.
(4) Wheelers also thank the Traffic & Transportation department of Tower
Hamlets Council who have awarded them £1200 of which £100 is for the
Workshop.
(5) Wheelers are selling 'no congestion charge for cyclists' T-shirts which
can be ordered at http://www.towerhamletswheelers.org.uk/cc-tshirt/ or phone
020 8880 6873 for an order form.
(6) Bike Week is a national celebration of cycling and Wheelers have many
events lined up - news release with details is to follow in the next 2
weeks. http://www.towerhamletswheelers.org.uk/bikeweek/
Wheelers main contact details:
(Alix Stredwick should be contacted for media enquiries: 020 8880 6873
alix@towerhamletswheelers.org.uk)
Tower Hamlets Wheelers
wheelers@towerhamletswheelers.org.uk
www.towerhamletswheelers.org.uk
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