Notes from Wheelers Meeting held on 10 September 2003
at the Sundial Centre, Shipton Street E2
Present:
Owen Pearson (chair), Tom Brenan (minutes), Keith Jones, Caroline Fenton, Colin Waters, Alex Brenan, Dave Allison, Steve Collins
Apologies: Steve Bradley
1. Introductions
Everyone knew each other.
2. Actions from last meeting, 13 August 2003
LBTH Cycle Counts: Ashraf Ali considering how best to do this since Owen had informed him that the Wheelers would not be able to manage all of the proposed count locations. Owen to suggest the possibility of using a company to organise and report on the counts but making use of Wheelers volunteers for some of the counting.
All other outstanding matters to be covered in following items.
3. Newsletter, Media & Website
Alix Stredwick has resigned from the newsletter editor and press officer posts. The meeting noted and appreciated the good work she has done for the group and would like to thank her for her great contributions.
Newsletter:
Deadline for inclusion in Oct/Nov London Cyclist is 19 September. Owen suggested producing a short edition mainly sending out a request for volunteers for the vacant posts and for general activities.
ACTION:
• Owen to produce 'flyer' for London Cyclist.
Media:
Coverage of stolen bikes release in East End Life, Recorder and the Islander.
Press releases needed for 18 Sept morning ride and 27 Sept puncture repair session.
ACTION:
• Owen to produce and send these out.
Website:
ACTIONS:
• Owen still to clear back log of events/ride reports/photos and press clippings.
• Owen to enable parts of the website (e.g. events/rides) to be easily updated by THW officers.
4. Finances
Dave reported that the £4,749 from Awards for All had been deposited bringing our balance to around £9,000.
Post meeting note: Money from DfT Cycle Projects Fund will not be passed on until further information is sent to the funders.
ACTION:
• Owen and Dave to sort out.
5. Bike Buddy & Cycle Training Scheme
Dave has calculated that with the Awards for All and Community Chest funding we can budget for around 30 people to join the scheme and receive training. So far we have had about 14 enquiries mainly due to the scheme's launch press coverage.
Scheme administration: As noted at the last meeting more volunteers are required to spread the workload and for the scheme to run efficiently - even more so with the departure of Alix.
Caroline and Dave volunteered to keep overall record of those participating in the scheme and keeping track of their progress.
Steve volunteered to manage the buddy volunteers and match them with scheme members.
It was agreed that buddies would be responsible for talking to their clients about buying any equipment (lights etc.) The funding would allow us to match fund any purchases they need to make.
It was agreed we had sufficient enquiries to get the scheme fully working and needn't worry at the moment of attracting more members. Ideally we would still having funding left to re-publicise the scheme next Spring.
ACTIONS:
• Volunteers to setup their 'admin systems'.
• Owen to collate client enquiries.
• Owen to obtain full list of buddy volunteers to pass to Steve.
• Owen, Caroline and Dave to prepare introductory questionnaire and arrange sending welcome packs.
6. Rides & Socials
Steve has now put together an itinerary of easy and longer rides up until the end of the year. Full details of the upcoming rides in the Events/Rides section on the website.
Keith suggested organising some kind of seasonal "Santa" ride at Christmas.
Thursday, 18 September "ride to work" as part of TfL's "Way to Go" and LBTH's "good going" travel awareness week.
7. Workshop & Bike Re-Cycling
August's workshop was well attended by about 10 people, nearly all first-time visitors.
Next workshop on 27 September where we will hold another puncture repair tutorial session. Keith will buy bargain puncture repair kits including spanner and tyre levers.
ACTION:
• Owen to publicise puncture repair session.
Caroline reported that three recycled bikes are now ready to be sold. They would first be offered to those joining the bike buddy scheme.
ACTION:
• Owen to put photos of bikes on web page to show those interested.
8. Borough Traffic Schemes
Postponed until next meeting due to lack of time.
9. Campaigns
Colin Waters announced he would be stepping down as Campaigns Officer. All thanked him for his contributions in this role.
Illegal parking: Colin has redrafted this letter and will circulate for comments. Will then be sent to media and relevant contacts.
Bikes on DLR: Jon Idle has drafted a letter to DLR. Owen to contact him and discuss.
Stolen bikes: Following the articles in the local press and the "stolen bikes" web page Owen has received a few calls about this subject. Discussion was held whether the group could follow this up with any kind of campaign about the open sale of stolen bikes at Brick Lane. No conclusion reached apart from encouraging individuals affected writing letters of complaint to the police and councillors.
10. AOB
• Bethnal Green Festival, Sunday 21 September - decided not to attend but note it down for next year's events diary.
• Possibility of participating in the Spitalfields Winter Festival during December.
The meeting closed at 9.00pm and most headed off to The Approach, Approach Road.
Next meeting: 7.00pm, 8 October, venue tba.
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