TOWER HAMLETS WHEELERS
Monthly Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, 14 January 2009 7.30pm
Held at St Margaret's House, 21 Old Ford Road.
Present: Owen (chair & mins), Steve, Caroline, Dave A, Gail, Bill, David T, Rachel, Rob, James (Tower Hamlets Bike-It Officer)
Apologies: Keith, Ralph
[*] action
Introductions
1. Sustrans Bike-It Project in Tower Hamlets
James Scott, Tower Hamlets Bike-It Officer gives overview of Bike-It project http://www.sustrans.org.uk/bike-it
Funding for project in Tower Hamlets provided by PCT for next 3 years starting Sept 2008. Driving factor being TH having highest child obesity rate in UK.
Aimed at years 5 & 6 (last two in primary school) and 7 & 8 (first two in secondary school)
1st year: 10 schools involved
2nd year: 10 more schools, and keep an eye on other 10
3rd year: 10 more schools, keep an eye on other 20
First in project are all primary and secondary schools on Isle of Dogs plus Stepney Green School for Boys and Central Foundation School for Girls.
78% of children in TH below poverty line, most don't own bikes: Pilot scheme of council funding purchase of bikes. Bikeworks getting involved. Liaising with police to provide unclaimed bikes.
Bike parking facilities in the schools are non-existent.
Bikeworks providing cycle training up to level 2 standard.
Will be putting pressure on council etc. to improve through routes through green spaces and areas around schools.
Events and activities to be put on during year. Scope for Wheelers involvement.
Currently putting on mechanic training sessions. Rollapaluza put on some sessions.
Big Bike Weeks planned in March for some of the schools.
[*] see how workshop page prints out and produce pdf if needed.
2. Bikeoff
David T highlights current "Putting the Brakes on Bicycle Theft" exhibition that's on until end of January.
http://www.bikeoff.org/topics/exhibitions-events/
3. Cycling for Health Project
Rachel gives update on project. 40 patients referred so far, funding for 100. Mainly off-road routes used for group rides.
Showed an excellent video of film clips of patient interviews dicussing joining the group rides, and during the rides.
4. Workshop
Next one 31 January.
5. Mailing List
All agreed to set up separate mailing list to advertise rides/events as alternative to main email discussion group.
[*] Owen to ask Neville to set up.
6. Freshers Fair
Look into attending these at local colleges.
Meeting closed at 9pm.
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