Notes from Wheelers Meeting held on 10 December 2003
at Wharf Cycles, Westferry Road E14
Present:
Owen Pearson (chair), Dave Allison (minutes), Steve Bradley, Caroline Fenton, Mark Butland, Gary Cummins, Steve Collins, Keith Jones, Andy Lindsell, Kerry Noble
Apologies: Carol Gray
1. Introductions
All introduced themselves with hello's to first timers Kerry and Andrew. Many thanks to Phil and Jo of the newly opened Wharf Cycles for the use of their shop space.
• Volunteer recruitment: Owen to meet with East London Business Alliance to see what they can offer.
• Owen not yet done a business card template.
• Owen to ask for volunteers for Secretary post.
All other outstanding matters to be covered in following items.
3. Newsletter, Media & Website
Newsletter:
Carol's first newsletter as editor was released on schedule, with graphics work by Steve Bradley. All agreed that the revised format was a success. Next newsletter will be ready for distribution in Feb/Mar London Cyclist.
ACTIONS:
• Carol and Steve to produce newsletter.
• Owen and Steve to sort out a contribution to BESO for the photocopying.
Media:
Kerry would like to volunteer as Press Officer. All supported and welcomed this! She was given a list of possible role responsibilities (in addition to the production of press releases) for her to look over.
ACTIONS:
• Kerry to get to know the group/group's activities and let all know which responsibilities she's happy to take on.
Website:
Owen finally added Bike Week photos/reports.
ACTIONS:
• Owen to finish off updates to Media section of site.
4. Finances
Gary and Alix have completed transfer of signatory form - needs to be forwarded to Bank. Dave reported that the finances were in good order, our main issue being a likely underspend on the Bike Buddy scheme.
Owen will meet with St Katharine & Shadwell Trust officers on 19 December with regard to our Community Chest funding of the Bike Buddy scheme. Thanks to Caroline and Dave for producing brief summary of spending and activities relevent to the scheme so far. It seems likely that we will be underspent on the two grants for the Bike Buddy scheme. Mark suggested approaching the sponsors to see if any of the funds could be allocated to any of the other Wheelers' activities.
ACTIONS:
• Dave to complete transfer of signatory form.
• Owen to meet with St Katharine & Shadwell Trust and report back.
5. Bike Buddy & Cycle Training Scheme
Scheme ticking over nicely with occasional new applicants despite time of year finding out about it via the website.
Owen presented the draft of the Bike Buddy flyer, which was approved by all. A list of locations to distribute the flyer is needed. Steve C will look at producing a poster.
ACTIONS:
• All to suggest distribution locations.
• Steve C to produce poster.
6. Workshop & Bike Re-Cycling
Workshop:
Caroline reported that November's workshop had 17 attendees (a record). Gary reported that the dynamo installation event (last workshop) was a success, with 3 dynamos installed (and all reported still working). He is happy to offer this service again at the next workshop. Keith will also offer his puncture repair masterclass.
Owen noted that an email had been received from Saul Albert of the Boxing Club, Limehouse Town Hall congratulating/thanking THW on the success of the workshops.
The next workshop is to be held on 31 January 2004.
ACTIONS:
• Gary to advertise dynamo class.
• Owen to advertise puncture repair class - perhaps via press release as well.
Bike Re-Cycling:
Caroline reported that 4 re-cycled bikes have been sold so far to buddy scheme members. There are two ladies roadsters plus one ladies folder available at present, some work is needed on a couple of these.
ACTIONS:
• Caroline, Dave and Owen to continue pairing up bikes with buddy scheme members.
7. Borough Traffic Schemes
Cable Street:
Owen reported that he has received a response from LBTH to the group's comments on the proposed enhancements to the Cable St two-way scheme. LBTH have agreed to widen the cycle lane to 3m where possible. They say the Watney St junction cannot have a stop sign due to traffic regulations.
ACTIONS:
• Owen respond to LBTH's comments and investigate the reason for a stop line at Watney Street not being possible.
• Responses to LBTH report on existing Cable Street priority scheme to be compiled.
Lamb Street:
Owen contacted LBTH about the long closure of this route. LBTH advised that it will be closed for a further 18 months, but will eventually re-open to cycle traffic. Suggest that until then cyclists dismount and use the pedestrian access at the end of this road.
Great Tower Street:
Owen has received details from Ralph Smyth (City Cyclists) of a proposed modification to the junction with Byward St to allow bus and cycles travelling westbound to turn right onto Great Tower Street. All supported this proposal as well as Ralph's proposed comments on the design.
ACTIONS:
• Owen to forward Wheelers support to Ralph and City of London Corporation.
8. Campaigns
Bikes on DLR
Owen attended LCC's Cycle Parking & Carriage working group meeting on 24 November. Their advice was to aim for a meeting with DLR as early as possible. All agreed a minimum to aim for would be carriage of bikes between Greenwich and Island Gardens/Mudchute in the evenings (thus avoiding the need to go through the Greenwich tunnel, which involves carrying a bike over 16 flights of steps, and which is considered unsafe for individuals late at night).
ACTIONS:
• Owen to track down the best people at DLR to contact.
Cycle Parking
The installation of cycles stands at Canary Riverside, following Tracy Law's (and others) letter to Canary Wharf Group (CWG) was noted. Owen sent a note of thanks to CWG and received an appreciative reply back from them.
9. Rides & Socials
New Year's social:
Agreed the New Year's social event is to be held at Daka Biriani, Mile End Road on Wednesday, 21 January 2004. In order to publicise the event to THW members, it is proposed to send out some of the remaining THW postcards, with a suitable printed label.
ACTIONS:
• Gary to book venue.
• Owen and others to publicise.
Rides:
The next ride/pub social is to be a tour of the Christmas lights of Tower Hamlets, plus visits to several of the pubs visited during the year - Steve will be leading. Full details of the upcoming rides in the Rides/Events section on the website.
10. Meeting Location
The need for a regular venue was noted. Owen is to contact Limehouse Town Hall to see if this might be available again. Mark suggested that the Youth Action UK offices in Dodd St may be available.
ACTIONS:
• All - suggestions for venues welcome.
11. Bike Training Trainers
Mark described the school cycle training scheme that Youth Action UK are undertaking on behalf of LBTH. Funding is available to train trainers the next course being on 17 & 18 January. Anyone interested should contact Mark.
ACTIONS:
• Owen to publicise this on egroup.
12. AOB
• Steve Bradley suggested that Christmas cards should be sent to organisations or individuals that have assisted THW during the year. This was agreed. ACTION: All to forward names of possible recipients to Owen.
• Owen announced that the LCC has appointed Philip Loy as their new Community Officer.
The meeting closed at 8:35pm and all headed off next door to the Rogue Trader pub for a chat and a curry.
Next meeting: 7.00pm, 14 January, venue tba.
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