metMay06

NOTES OF HFCYCLISTS MEETING

Tuesday 2 May 2006 , 7.30pm in the Info Centre

PRESENT:
John Griffiths, Susie Gretz, Louanne Tranchell, Bill Ogden, Jonathan Gurney, John Mickleburgh

APOLOGIES:
Andy Ellard, Roger de Freitas, Frank Florez, Paul Alexander, Alex Forrest, Kath Cochrane, Jane Knight, Mark Fossick.

ROAD NARROWINGS
Discussion of the discussion on the Lillie rd pedestrian refuges.

At tonight's meeting no one had regular experience of cycling along Lillie rd. A summary of comments we have received upon it:

Cllr Gavin Donovan: There is no space for a bus to pass a cyclist, sees it as very dangerous, and is campaigning for the removal of at least one island.

Rik Andrew: Islands can be threatening as vehicles race to overtake before them, and a zebra or pelican crossing should be chosen instead.

Richard Bate: An experienced cyclist, has no problem cycling through them. Sees the benefit of them as his children use them to cross the road to get to school.

Christine Thompson: Her son Ollie was killed last year on a moped near a refuge in Fulham Rd. There was a collision involving a coach. She sees road narrowings as very dangerous and no longer advocates cycling. The inquest is to be held shortly.

Paul Alexander: Reported that there was disapproval of the refuges expressed at a recent New Deals for Communities [NDC] meeting. There is to be a further meeting on them on the 18 May. Points brought up were that there was no consultation on the refuges and that they increase the congestion.

Chris Bainbridge [LBHF] with info supplied by Nick Boyle: The refuges in Lillie Road were installed in order to reduce the high level of personal injury accidents there. TRL research into road narrowings shows that cyclist safety is not compromised and that accident frequency does not increase.
[Nick Boyle states that this comes from a report that is summarised in http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_roads/documents/page/dft_roads_504706-02.hcsp
However this summary includes the line "These results were not statistically significant, and data on changes in motor vehicle and cycle flows were not available."

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We decided that we cannot make any statements about these islands, but would urge those responsible to take full heed of the guidelines available concerning the safety of cyclists. We consider the Hammersmith Bridge and Brook Green narrowings to be threatening, and would like to see them addressed.

SOME REFERENCES ON CYCLISTS AND ROAD NARROWINGS:

London Cycing Design Standards
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/cycles/downloads/pdf/lcds_chapter3.pdf

Traffic islands and pedestrian refuges
3.6.2
Where islands are introduced either to assist crossing pedestrians or for driver
guidance then the following issues should be considered:
o One-way carriageway widths should not create dangerous or uncomfortable
pinch-points for cyclists, and should be in accordance with figure 3.1 if
cyclists are to use the gap
o To lessen intimidation, reduce general carriageway width and introduce a
cycle lane and/or coloured cycling surfacing just before, adjacent to, and
immediately past the island, with cycle symbol markings
o Cyclists should be able to maintain their speed on a direct route. For this
reason, diverting cyclists off-carriageway past islands should be avoided
3.6.3
Alternative measures for pedestrians such as zebra or pelican crossings without
central islands should be considered. See also other 'general' solutions e.g.
lateral deflection traffic calming as discussed below.

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FROM TRL621 The effect of road narrowings on cyclists [2005]
http://www.trl.co.uk/store/report_detail.asp?srid=4949&pid=180
Synopsis includes:

Road narrowings were found to constitute a source of stress to cyclists, particularly when large vehicles were present, although fast traffic and large roundabouts were also thought difficult. Some cyclists avoided narrowings by riding on the footway or selecting alternative routes. There were experimental indications that a cycle lane with coloured surface might improve safety and the report discusses this and other recommendations that could improve conditions for cyclists in the context of the results of the study.
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WEST LONDON GREEN FESTIVAL
The planning for the festival is going well. Suzie and several others are involved in the planning. John M and Bill said that they would be involved on day. If you want to be involved in the planning please contact John G. Next planning meeting Tuesday 9th May at 6.30pm.

BIKEWEEK and RIDES

Jonathan will organise a Bike Week ride leaving from Furnival Gardens at 6.45pm on Tuesday 20 June. Possibly to a pub along the river somewhere. Details later.

Susie will lead a feeder ride to the World Naked Bike Ride Saturday, June 10, 2006 (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM). Meet at the outdoor Café inside the park at Holland Park. Meet 2.15pm for 2.30pm set off. The naked ride congregates at Hyde Park Corner at 3pm, leaving at 3.30pm returning at 5pm. John G will also be there 07789 095 748.
http://www.worldnakedbikeride.org/uk/london/
[Jonathan cautioned us that we should not encourage anyone under 18 years of age to join us, as we may be arrested for leading a minor into depravity, or the like. So perhaps either no kids, or any kids should be with a parent and be under their control and guidance]

Also there are the Critical Mass rides, meeting up outside the NFT under Waterloo bridge on the last Friday of the month, congregating at around 6.30pm.

COUNCIL ELECTIONS ON MAY 4th

Results of manifesto. These have been circulated before to our email lists. Also included below. John had restricted the replies to a response to the manifesto, and had snipped out other parts that the parties considered supporting their case.

Susie raised the question of how do you define a residential street for the purpose of a 20mph limit. For example a lot of people live along the Talgarth rd. Jonathan talked about classes of road, trunk roads and distributor roads. Louanne very impressed with her local Brook Green Home Zone. John G pointed out that some roads like the Dalling road in Brackenbury Home Zone notable for speeding. Bill praised the radar machines that say "you are now doing 38mph slow down" There is one in Barnes in Lonsdale rd. John G believed that research on them showed that they were not very effective at slowing traffic, but hoped they were and could be used.

Concerning the Labour party statement that they will be building on their record of support for cycling in the borough, John G stated that in his opinion their record on the CRISP at Shepherds Bush Green was not something to boast about. John M reported that the cycle crossing no longer led into the disused toilet block at the NW corner of the Green. John G had expected the crossing to be shared use and to go either side of the large tree. We should check out how well it has been implemented.

LCC:
We encourage people to join the London Cycling Campaign. see www.lcc.org.uk for details. There are many advantages.

EXPENSES
John g had expenses of £11.27 and 89p = £12.16 for tonight's refreshments.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS
There was considerable discussion on the landscaping at Shepherds Bush Green, and traffic plans around the Green, and progress at the Westfield centre, and the opportunity area to the north of it.

DATE FOR NEXT MEETING
Tuesday 6 JUNE at 7.15pm for 7.30pm in the info centre.

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MANIFESTO and RESPONSES

HFCYCLISTS Cycling Manifesto and responses from parties

Here is the Cycling Manifesto produced by HFCYCLISTS for the 4th May 2006 local elections. HFCYCLISTS is the local branch of the London Cycling Campaign in LBHF.

We asked parties whether they could support this Manifesto or, if not fully, to what extent.

We believe that a safer environment for cyclists will reduce dependence upon the private car and be of great benefit to the community.

John Griffiths [Chair / Co-ordinator hfcyclists]
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A CYCLING MANIFESTO FOR LBHF

A five point plan for local politicians to promote cycling, so as to reduce dependence on the car and improve the health and well-being of all borough residents by 2010.

1. 20mph as the standard speed limit for all residential streets.

2. Increase by 25% the proportion of children cycling (or walking) to school by 2010.

3. Increase by 50% the total number of cycle parking spaces by 2010 through planning policies and direct provision.

4. All parking enforcement to prioritise keeping cycle facilities car free.

5. Commitment to improve conditions for cyclists on Hammersmith Bridge and at the Hammersmith Gyratory.

London has seen a 100% increase in cycling in the past five years. Now let's unlock cycling's full potential!

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LABOUR PARTY RESPONSE

John

On behalf of the Labour Party in Hammersmith & Fulham, I am writing to fully support your Cycling Manifesto. We look forward to working with you to implement the five point plan after the council elections on 4 May 2006 and building on our record of support for cycling in the borough.

Cllr Stephen Burke Leader, LBHF

**************************** CONSERVATIVE PARTY RESPONSE

Dear John

Please see below the H&F Conservative response to your 5 points:

1. 20MPH AS THE STANDARD SPEED LIMIT FOR ALL RESIDENTIAL STREETS.

We are broadly supportive of this aim however there are problems.

- Firstly how do you define residential street - nearly all our main roads are also residential?

- Secondly how do you enforce this? Quite frankly some of the existing Home Zones are not enforced properly and there is widescale breaking of the speed limits which brings the whole policy into disrepute. Traffic calming is often not popular with cyclists and there are doubts as to its effectiveness - viz in Sweden they are removing traffic calming across the board as it is seen as ineffective and a cause of additional urban pollution. My own approach would be mobile cameras with subsequent issuing of penalties and points.

2. INCREASE BY 25% THE PROPORTION OF CHILDREN CYCLING (OR WALKING) TO SCHOOL BY 2010.

There are already targets in place for increasing the percentage of children walking to school. However, as Chris Bainbridge recently confirmed, there is little objective evidence one way or another as to whether there has been any impact on behaviour patterns following introduction of initiatives such as Walking Bus and Green Travel Plans etc. Furthermore Mr Khanna has told me that attempts to get parking wardens to take action to deter parents parking illegally near schools has resulted in some nasty situations and as such the wardens are now reluctant (supported by management) to get involved.

Conservatives support the reduction of school journeys made by car and believe that the best way is to ensure that the alternatives are as attractive as possible. Where there are problems with illegal parking we will take a more robust line than the current Labour administration. We will ensure that LBH&F schools are fully supported in promoting the alternatives.

3. INCREASE BY 50% THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CYCLE PARKING SPACES BY 2010 THROUGH PLANNING POLICIES AND DIRECT PROVISION.

Having just this lunchtime failed to get a space for my bike outside Fulham Broadway - I would go further and suggest we need a doubling ie 100% increase. Also the quality needs to improve so that we have something better than a bit of metal. As cycling gets more critical momentum, cyclists will we believe be more willing to use more formal set aside areas at major nodal points. These could be undercover, well signed and extremely secure similar to those I have seen in Germany and Netherlands.

4. ALL PARKING ENFORCEMENT TO PRIORITISE KEEPING CYCLE FACILITIES CAR FREE.

Agree - support.

5. COMMITMENT TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS FOR CYCLISTS ON HAMMERSMITH BRIDGE AND AT HAMMERSMITH GYRATORY.

Agree - support. This would feature as part of our policy of improving the consistency of the experience for cyclists (see below).

[Further material SNIPPED to restrict reply to response to manifesto]

Yours sincerely

Cllr Nicholas Botterill

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LIBERAL DEMOCRAT PARTY RESPONSE

Liberal Democrat responses to the H&F cycling manifesto questions

H&F LibDems believe that increased cycle use is good for the environment, health, and communities. However, when considering changes to the road, streets and pavements, we need to balance the needs of all road users and pedestrians.

The 5 statements in CAPS below are the manifesto commitments of the Hammersmith and Fulham London Cycle campaign group, while the paragraphs below each are H&F LibDems' comments.

1. 20MPH AS THE STANDARD SPEED LIMIT FOR ALL RESIDENTIAL STREETS.

LibDems in parliament have lobbied the government to make 20MPH the default speed limit in built up areas. We have started a nationwide campaign that "20 IS PLENTY". Hammersmith and Fulham LibDems would therefore very much like more 20mph zones, provided the local residents would support it. We believe in local democracy and therefore we would not impose 20mph zones against the wishes of the majority of residents, unless it became London-wide policy.

2. INCREASE BY 25% THE PROPORTION OF CHILDREN CYCLING (OR WALKING) TO SCHOOL BY 2010.

We would like to increase the proportion of children walking and
cycling to school.
This could be helped by identifying and removing barriers to cycling, such as dangerous crossings. It might require changes in road layout, traffic lights etc to provide safe routes for more children to cycle to school, which would require consultation and looking at the impact on other road users.
We support cycle training in schools to help children to cycle safely, and to encourage all young people to obey the Highway Code and be courteous to pedestrians while cycling.

3. INCREASE BY 50% THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CYCLE PARKING SPACES BY 2010 THROUGH PLANNING POLICIES AND DIRECT PROVISION.

As part of our submission to the UDP (now called the Local Development Framework) we asked the council to require space be allocated to cycle parking, not just car parking. We also asked for policies to encourage car free developments with suitable cycling provision. A lockable, secure place to keep cycles at home is essential to increased bike use, and LibDems will press for all new developments to have secure bike stores.
We would like to see the council monitor where bicycles are currently parked, and then to install bicycle parking spaces sufficient to fulfil all the demand observable, i.e, if bicycles are parked attached to street furniture, then an official cycle parking place should be provided. All full bicycle parks should be expanded - eg at Charing Cross Hospital.
Where cycle theft is problem, we would seek to install CCTV to protect bikes and catch thieves. We will work with the police, voluntary organisations and schools to encourage all bike owners to label and register their bikes, so as to help police return stolen bikes and catch the thieves and dealers in stolen bikes.

4. ALL PARKING ENFORCEMENT TO PRIORITISE KEEPING CYCLE FACILITIES CAR FREE.

4 There are many styles of cycle lanes. Where new-build developments of large areas are planned, we would like to see dedicated cycle tracks, protected by solid curbs from motor vehicles, and wider than the protected contra-flow in Kings St.
Some roads could have a protected cycle track on the pavement side, with car parking on the road side of the cycle way, as in Kings St.
However, due to the narrowness of existing roads, continental style protected bike lanes are often not possible, so we would consider giving bike lanes a double yellow line, or extending the hours of parking restrictions on roads with important bike lanes to the end of the rush hour, and employing more traffic wardens to enforce them. However, we would have to consult with residents and businesses along any road that went from a single to a double line, or whose business might suffer if customers could not park in the evening rush hour, and gain their support, and the cost of more traffic wardens may be prohibitive.

5. COMMITMENT TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS FOR CYCLISTS ON HAMMERSMITH BRIDGE AND AT THE HAMMERSMITH GYRATORY.

When Hammersmith Bridge was limited to busses only, due to repairs, bus ridership rocketed and the residents along the approaches were delighted. The local LibDems actively supported keeping the bridge free of cars and lorries after repairs. This position was attacked by Labour and the Tories.
It would in theory be possible for Hammersmith and Fulham, in cooperation with Richmond Borough council, to put in contraflows or time restrictions to stop commuters using the bridge. However, this is likely to be very unpopular with car owners in H&F and in Richmond Borough, and extremely unpopular with residents in Putney, who saw significantly more traffic congestion when Hammersmith Bridge was closed. As Liberal Democrats we have a commitment to local democracy that would not allow us to close Hammersmith Bridge to private road traffic if most residents opposed it.

In theory we could build a new cycle and pedestrian bridge over the Thames, however, as we have seen from the Wobbly millennium pedestrian bridge from St Paul's to Tate Modern, building new bridges is very expensive and can suffer serious engineering problems. I do not envisage Hammersmith and Fulham borough council having the money for a new cycle and pedestrian bridge, but a concerted London-wide campaign for more pedestrian and cycle bridges might attract funds from the Bridge House Trust, (partly administered by the City of London), and other grant-giving bodies.

[Further material SNIPPED to restrict reply to response to manifesto]

Written by Henrietta Bewley, with input from Hammersmith and Fulham Liberal Democrats, on behalf of LBHF-LibDems.

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John Griffiths [chair / co-ordinator]
020 7371 1290 / 07789 095 748
john@truefeelings.com
OUR WEBSITE www.hfcyclists.org.uk