Notes from Wheelers Meeting held on 14 January 2004
at Oxford House, Derbyshire Street E2
Present:
Owen Pearson (chair), Steve Bradley, Carol Gray, Gary Cummins, Kerry Noble, Steve Collins, Keith Jones, Caroline Fenton
Apologies: Dave Allison
1. Introductions
Happy New Year's were passed on to all.
2. Matters arising from last meeting, 10 December 2003
• Volunteer recruitment: Owen met with an East London Business Alliance representative. Will await contact from them with any possibilities to make use of their services.
• Cycle carriage on DLR: John Biggs willing to "test the water" with the DLR on this issue.
• Stop line at Cable Street/Watney Street junction: Placement of a stop line requires approval from Secretary of State. Will ask LBTH to submit an application.
All other outstanding matters to be covered in following items.
3. Newsletter, Media & Website
Media:
Kerry, our new press officer, lead a discussion on the sort of issues/activities that Wheelers will want publicising. Current topics were agreed as: Bike Buddy scheme, congestion charging anniversary and workshop.
Agreed that Owen and Gary would act as spokesmen for any media enquiries.
Agreed that press releases would go to Owen before being sent out.
Agreed that Steve C would be responsible for the digital camera and would give Carol and Kerry instructions on how to use it.
ACTIONS:
• Owen to pass local media contact list to Kerry.
• Steve C to pass on digital camera software for Carol and Kerry to install and to give them some instruction.
Newsletter:
Copy deadline for next issue 19 January to be printed by 23 January.
ACTIONS:
• Carol and Steve to produce newsletter.
Website:
ACTIONS:
• Owen to finish off updates to Media section of site.
4. Finances
Balance stands at £8106.
Post-meeting note (forgotten to be raised): Owen met with St Katharine & Shadwell Trust officers on 19 December regarding our Community Chest funding of the Bike Buddy scheme. They were very supportive. Owen also submitted a progress report to the Trust outlining the first six months of the workshop activities and Bike Buddy scheme.
5. Bike Buddy & Cycle Training Scheme
Discuss in full at February's meeting.
ACTIONS:
• Steve C to produce poster.
6. Workshop & Bike Re-Cycling
Workshop:
The next workshop is on 31 January 2004. Keith will offer his puncture repair masterclass.
ACTIONS:
• Keith to publicise puncture repair class on egroup.
Bike Re-Cycling:
Owen has another ladies bike to donate.
ACTIONS:
• Owen, Caroline and Dave to get bikes road worthy for passing onto buddy scheme members.
7. Rides & Socials
Rides:
Steve C planning ride dates for the next few months. Will be published in next newsletter and on website diary page.
Caroline suggested holding some women-only rides after finding there is a demand amongst some Wheelers/Bike Buddy scheme members. Agreed this would be a good thing to offer. Suggestion to contact Greenwich Cyclists as they had run similar rides over the past few years.
Keith suggested a fluorescent vest or similar would be a good idea for ride leaders to wear.
ACTIONS:
• Steve C to finalise ride dates.
• Caroline to make preparations for leading a women-only ride in the spring.
• Keith to source fluorescent vests(?)
8. Planning for 2004
Events:
Keith offered to take on role of Events Co-ordinator - all gratefully agreed. He also suggested an "events kit" should be put together.
Discussion held on the events we would like to attend. Keith listed out many of the borough's summer festivals that would be suitable for us to have our stall/Dr Bike. It was noted that Bike Week is 12-20 June and agreed to move the Beigel Race to 5 June at the start of London Sustainability Week and on World Environment Day.
As many dates as possible to be finalised by April meeting.
ACTIONS:
• Keith et al to find out dates of summer festivals.
Campaigning:
Discussion held on campaigning issues for Wheelers to focus on - those suggested were:
- Bike security
- Cycle parking at borough amenities
- Record and highlight examples of poor cycle facilities in the borough
- Cable Street - cycle track priority issue
- Aldgate gyratory
- Home zone - possible location to initiate a study
ACTIONS:
• Recruit a campaigns officer.
• Owen and Gary to organise recording of cycle facilities.
• All to have a think of ways to take this ideas forward.
9. AOB
• Keith is investigating making use of a garage for storing Wheelers events equipment.
The meeting closed at 8:55pm and most headed off down the road to the Camden Head pub.
Next meeting: 7.00pm, 11 February, venue tba.
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