Notes from Wheelers Meeting held on 17 July 2002
at Sundial Centre, Shipton Street E1

Present:
Gary Cummins, Bharat Lad, Alex Leighton-Goodall, Antonias Oikonomidis, Owen Pearson, Alix Stredwick, Colin Waters
Gwyn Owen Transportation officer, Lyndal Peters, Transportation officer (cycling)

ACTION

1.

Introductions

Antonias introduced himself, as this is the first Wheelers meeting he has attended. Everyone else outlined their roles (as above).

2.

Matters arising from last meeting

Cable Street: has Dave written his letter to the Dept. for Transport? Please let Owen know.

Dave

3.

Bike Week review

Owen has received several responses and due to time constraints at the meeting it was decided that we would discuss the feedback in the pub afterwards and by email. Anyone else is welcome to let Owen know their opinions of the week.

remaining Wheelers

4.

Borough cycling officer's report

LCN+

Lyndal and Gwyn presented the group with information relating to bids for the LCN+, which Camden council is co-ordinating. It was noted that Camden's consultation process was not wholly satisfactory, perhaps due to the time constraints to get the bids done in time for next year's budget allocation from TfL. Antonias asked why similar changes to Cable Street appear twice, and Lyndal agreed to ask Camden about this. It was pointed out that Alan Logan at Camden can still be contacted if 'tweaks' to the bids are required.

Grove Road cycle lanes

Almost all of the original narrow green strips, produced mistakenly by the contractor, have been doubled in width and white dashed lines painted on the outside, with cycle symbols at intervals. The Wheelers thanked LBTH for this. However, the Wheelers still had reservations about whether Grove Road is suitably wide to safely accommodate a cycle lane which motorised traffic may well 'force' cyclists to use, when in narrower parts of the road it would be safer to cycle outside the lanes to prevent other vehicles over-taking dangerously. Gary was concerned that if a cyclist was involved in an accident and it could be proven that they were not in the cycle lane, they would be blamed. Gwyn explained that in law, both an advisory lane (indicated by a dashed white line) and a mandatory lane (indicated by an unbroken white line) are an option for the cyclist to use, but the latter must not be occupied by motorists; i.e. the terms 'mandatory' and 'advisory' apply to the motorist not the cyclist. Gwyn stated that the plan is to eventually upgrade the Grove Road lanes to 'mandatory' status from their current 'advisory' status, and that the remaining narrow section north of Roman Road is due to be removed shortly. Colin raised the point that the cycle symbols painted round the outside of parked cars could be misunderstood by a novice cyclist to mean they must cycle on the symbols, bringing the cyclist dangerously close to a potentially opening car door. Gwyn explained that the symbols are as much to alert the motorist to expect cyclists to be on the road, as they are to remind the cyclist that they are on a cycle route; therefore the hope is that the motorist will see the symbol and think twice before opening the door.

Royal Mint Street

LBTH's intention is to create facilities similar to Cable Street but without the 'give way' symbols for cyclists, as there are no side roads. It was pointed out by Gary that off Royal Mint Street there is a private driveway, as with Cable Street where 'give way' symbols have still been painted, and Gwyn agreed to look into this. It is expected that LBTH will hear 'in the autumn' whether they will be awarded the money for this facility.

Lyndal

Gwyn

5.

Cable Street cycling facilities

'Give way' markings

This campaign was discussed at length and Lyndal suggested a meeting to take the issue forward. The Wheelers agreed and thanked her for agreeing to arrange this. Gwyn agreed to send Alix the exact wording of the cycle track legislation relating to priorities. Wheelers agreed to observe cyclists' and motorists' behaviour when in Cable Street (i.e. who actually gives way to whom).

Potentially dangerous bollard

Gary then raised the issue of the bollard placed dangerously in the middle of the lane. Gwyn explained that it was to prevent cars parking and obstructing the lane, which was a problem before the bollard was introduced. Alix suggested that from the cyclists' point of view, proper enforcement of parking restrictions would be a better solution, but Gwyn stated that he could not justify more parking officers just to protect the cycle facility, when a bollard is a far cheaper option. Alex asked whether it would be possible to at least make the bollard more visible, by painting it white for example (it is currently black). Gwyn agreed to look into this possibility. Gary asked if the bollard could be removed on a trial basis, to see if it had led to a long-term realisation by motorists that they should not park there. Gwyn confirmed that this may well be possible but the 'painting white' option was preferred.

Lyndal
Gwyn
Wheelers

Gwyn

6.

Car Free Day

Lyndal explained that Tower Bridge and its approach roads will be closed and LBTH will be working with Southwark council to put on entertainments, stalls, etc. They very much hoped that the Wheelers would join them. The Wheelers decided that rather than 'bust a gut' organising a 'rival' closure elsewhere in the borough, they would indeed join in with LBTH on Tower Bridge, and aim for helping to organise a Car Free Day event next year in a more 'residential' part of the borough. Ideas for events and entertainment to be staged were discussed and it was agreed that: a) after her meeting on 19th July, Lyndal will let us know what space is available for an obstacle course, so we (Owen? Gary?) can design one and submit it to Lyndal within three weeks for a risk assessment; b) we (Alex?) liaise with John Maillard of Rick Sure's Rickshaws to organise a 'cycle bus' ride with 'stops' to pick up kids and adults alike from around the borough to 'escort' people to Tower Bridge (to ensure that it's not just mainly tourists that attend because they happen to be at Tower Bridge) - phone John on 07974 603647 (text him if no response) or Manda Halal on 7790 2940; c) all Wheelers to look out for good pictures to use on a promotional Wheelers postcard (similar to the Southwark one) to present to Lyndal within a month - not just for Car Free Day (Alix to look through her photos of Bike Week); d) all Wheelers to think of fun stuff we can do on Tower Bridge.

Lyndal and Gwyn then left at approximately 8:45pm and the Wheelers thanked them for their valuable time and input, especially on a Tube strike night!

Lyndal
Gary?
Owen?
Alex?

7.

Cycling Projects Fund bids

The DfT is giving away £2m for schemes that will increase cycling and bids are invited from £250 to £50,000 from non-council sources. Alix outlined her idea for a project in the borough to be co-ordinated by her workplace, CILT, where local people are provided with resources to start riding a bike as a means of getting about, and research on the best ways of achieving this is carried out and disseminated. It would involve local community organisations who would provide links to existing networks of people who would most benefit from the scheme, and Wheelers volunteers as 'cycle buddies'. Gary and others made suggestions that Alix will look into. Gary outlined Mark Butland's bid for a repair and training van. Owen to send Alix info about Greenwich LCC's bid and any feedback on why they were unsuccessful.

Alix
Owen

8.

Newsletter

Next one is for Aug/Sept, though Alix is thinking of going monthly and organising monthly hand-outs and asking people to send their email address to her or to subscribe £5 per year to receive it by post. Alex please send August ride info and Gary please send touring talk info (and anyone else send their stuff) for copy deadline of mid-day Sunday 28th July. Will be stuffed into LC mag on evening of Wed 31st July. Next hand-out session will be 7:45-9:30am 15th August.

Alex
Gary

9.

AOB

Respect Festival Sat 20th July

Alex said she would be available to help Owen set up the stall in the morning.

Ride in Essex ending at Chelmsford beer festival Sat 20th July

Alix reminded everyone about the ride this Sat meeting at 10am at Liverpool Street station.

Bike Week 'thanks' notes

Alix was thanked for sending these out to participants.

Start time of Wheelers meetings

Alex suggested starting at 7pm instead of 7:30 so that we can finish earlier or we have more time to cover agenda items. Everyone agreed.

10.

Next meeting: 7pm on 14th August at the Sundial Centre, Shipton Street

The meeting ended at 9:10pm and most Wheelers retired to The Approach pub.

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