Notes from Wheelers Meeting held on 8 September 2004
at Oxford House, Derbyshire Street E2
Present:
Owen Pearson (chair), Gary Cummins (minutes), Colin Waters, Martin Donkin, Steve Collins, Mark Butland, Keith Jones, Carol Gray
Apologies: Caroline Fenton, Dave Allison, Kerry Noble
1. Introductions
Everyone said hello with a welcome to first-timer Martin.
2. Matters arising from last meeting, 11 August 2004
All outstanding matters to be covered in following items.
3. Finances
Nothing new to report.
ACTIONS:
• Dave and Owen still to come up with a budget.
4. Bike Buddy & Cycle Training Scheme
About 5 more members have joined over the last month, most booked training straight away.
Jagonari Centre: They are looking for suitable dates to hold an initial training session.
ACTIONS:
• Owen still to make a start on follow-up questionnaire to assess usefulness of scheme, progress of scheme members etc.
5. Workshop & Bike Re-Cycling
Workshop:
11 turned up for August's workshop with help running it from Oscar and Thi Minh.
The next workshop is on 25 September 2004. It's probably time for more donations to our Boxing Club hosts.
ACTIONS:
• Get a Shimano BB extractor
Bike Re-Cycling:
Thank you note received from CTC for Cyclists Defence Fund donation. Gary still has a few more bikes to sell on once they've been made roadworthy.
6. Campaigns
Trading of stolen bikes at Brick Lane:
Gary paid complement to Colin for getting this campaign off the ground.
Colin said Cllr Louise Alexander has contacted him and has knocked some heads together to try and get enforcement on the go, north end of Bethnal Green has been cleared of bikes but there is still 'blanket selling' in Schlater Street. John Biggs MLA has also given support and requested further information on the situation from various authorities. Colin will monitor the situation at Brick Lane and report if any further action is required.
Metro paper have spoken with Colin about writing an article on this issue (published 16 September).
ACTIONS: Colin to send letters to Louise Alexander and David Sanders thanking them for their efforts so far.
Several Wheelers went along to Hackney Cyclists' September meeting which was attended by members of the Hackney police cycle squad. They stressed it would be a great help if people keep a full description of their bikes, especially frame numbers, as if the bike is stolen giving as many details as possible will help the police immensely. During 'stop and searches' bikes are often suspected as being stolen but proving it is often difficult.
Agreed a security awareness campaign would be a good follow up. John Biggs has also offered to support such a campaign.
Also suggested we offer a photographic "record your bike" service at the workshop, possibly making a small charge. Mark suggested producing waterproof stickers.
ACTIONS: Come up with thoughts of how to carry out this awareness campaign.
Owen said PC Seamus Hansford, a Tower Hamlets 'cycling police officer', had contacted him with regard to the Brick Lane issue and offered to come to our October meeting.
A reminder that LCC has produced their own bicycle security advice brochure.
Owen proposed that Colin be re-enlisted as Campaigns Co-ordinator. All agreed :-)
Victoria Park barrier gates:
Owen has got hold of a contact name at last.
ACTIONS: Owen to contact LBTH contact to discuss this issue.
Canary Riverside:
Wheelers informed of a cyclist being in collision with a child along the riverside route and the next day police asking cyclists to walk along this stretch. Owen has drafted a letter offering Canary Wharf Management help with advice/instruction on any potential campaign against anti-social cycling in an attempt to pre-empt any thoughts of a ban.
ACTIONS: Owen to send letter to Canary Wharf Management.
Limehouse Basin footbridge:
Owen has sent a letter to British Waterways asking for any news on progress on correcting the positioning of the footbridge to enable full access to all along the towpath.
Cable Street:
Following another crash on Cable Street Owen has sent a letter to LBTH asking for collision stats to compare with previous data. He also now has a contact in the traffic police and will draft a letter to them asking about the situation re: police and crash stats. LBTH say it would be a police decision whether the priority on the cycle track is reversed...
7. Borough Traffic Schemes
CRIM for LCN+ routes 197 & 198, Spital Square-Hanbury Street & Columbia Road-Commercial Street respectively. All discussed current routes. For 197 require Lamb Street to be reopened and Hanbury Street/Valance Road junction to be rethought. For 198 not many sure that route is used very much especially as Wheler Street is closed and many just use Hackney Road. Area around Arnold Circus not pleasant to cycle through. Columbia Road surface needs sorting.
ACTIONS:
• Owen to attend pre-CRIM meeting on 16 September and put forward the above thoughts.
Vallance Road/Hanbury Street new cycle facilities: Still no response from the LBTH yet...
ACTIONS:
• Gary and Owen to follow up.
Whitechapel Road/Vallance Road/New Road junction: Faber Maunsell have been contracted by TfL to carry out an 'Accident Investigation and Prevention Study'. Discussion held to air our views/concerns.
ACTIONS:
• Gary to draft response.
8. Newsletter, Media & Website
Newsletter:
Next newsletter due by 17 September for inclusion in London Cyclist. Carol wants pics of Brick Lane crooks.
ACTIONS:
• Carol and Gary to produce newsletter.
9. Rides, Events & Socials
Rides:
ACTIONS:
• Steve to finalise October/November ride dates.
Events:
16 September: As part of London-wide good going travel awareness week, Wheelers will provide a cycle information stall with LBTH at Bethnal Green tube from 7.30-9am. Owen has met with David Pye (Lyndal Peter's successor at LBTH) to say hello and discuss this.
17 September: Owen to provide a Dr Bike for Malmesbury School "bike swap".
19 September: Shoreditch 'Car Free' Carnival, Keith will attend to help out on cycling info stall.
10. AOB
• Owen said Oxford House are interested in having some cycle racks. Obtaining funding shouldn't be a problem but where to locate them is.
• Future meeting location: Mark suggested using Youth Action UK offices in Dod Street for meetings. Owen to talk with YAUK manager.
• Meeting time: As we often have late-comers we would try a slightly later meeting time of 7.30-9.00 - all agreed.
• AGM is currently held in April, shall we move it forward to March to give more planning time for spring/summer activities? Everybody agreed this was a good idea.
• Phillip Loy at LCC has suggested organising an east London LCC Christmas bash to specifically include the Newham group to try and kick start them.
• LCC awards: Gary has submitted nominations for our Bike Buddy scheme and the LBTH/Youth Action UK primary school bike skills scheme.
• Poplar HARCA are starting a bike recycling scheme.
• We have about 25 'Cycles Free' t-shirts to sell off. Agreed sale price of £10. Owen to advertise.
• Keith suggests we have a new logo/brand designed that is easily produced for all mediums.
The meeting closed at 8:45pm and all headed to the Approach on Approach Road.
Next meeting: 13 October, 7.30pm at venue tba.
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