metApr08

NOTES OF HFCYCLISTS MEETING
Tuesday 1 April 2008, 7.15pm for 7.30pm

held at 4a Eynham rd, W12 0HA [the home of Susie Gretz]
020 8749 1969. GrSusan5[at]aol.com

PRESENT: Susie Gretz, John Griffiths, Julie Askins, Gerry Berridge, Mihaly, Phil Lamond.

APOLOGIES: Stephen Burke, Bill Ogden, Paul Alexander, Sophie Gisbert.

WESTFIELD / SBG

John has received a response from Cllr Nick Botterill following an internal meeting on Westfield / SBG. This was in response to our petition.

The letter starts

"Thank you for your petition which was submitted on 14th February.

I called a special meeting with Councillor Ivimy, who chairs the Planning Applications Committee, Councillor White, who chairs the Cleaner Greener Scrutiny Committee and senior council officers Graeme Swinburne, Assistant Director Highways, Chris Bainbridge, Transport Planning Manager, Nick Boyle, Traffic and Road Safety Manager, and Julian Renselar, Team Leader Enforcement and Special Projects.

The fact that we called together these very senior people indicates how seriously we take pedestrian and cyclist access. "


Julie and Phil were pleased that they are putting the cycle routes through the complex which by-passes a part of Wood lane and SBG. TfL are particularly pressing for this. However this same group does not insist on providing a good E-W route along the Uxbridge rd - Notting Hill corridor.

John still considers the E-W / W-E route appalling for cyclists. It is fine where there are cycle tracks but then these are not joined up and little thought seems to have been put into what happens where cyclists on these protected parts meet the trucks and buses of the main highway.

John will thank Nick Botterill for his letter and make some observations upon it.

Nick Botterill's original letter at
http://www.hfcyclists.org.uk/NickBotterillReplyToPetition.doc

and our response at
http://www.hfcyclists.org.uk/hfcyclistsToNickBotterillResponse3April08.doc
or
http://www.hfcyclists.org.uk/hfcyclistsToNickBotterillResponse3April08.pdf


We could have some kind of event to mark the opening of Westfield. It is expected to open in November.

OUR AIMS

We should attempt to get more active members. Susie was for having a regular stand where we could present ourselves to the public. During bike week, perhaps on the day before the GRENFEST which is on Sunday 15 June. Gerry noted that amnesty had a stand in the Kings Mall [or Broadway Centre] and will check how it is done.

There is a cycling event in Lyric Square on 16 April, 11.30am to 2.30pm - see below. Susie can be there. John was at the previous event talking to cyclists and joining up some cyclists to the email list.

In proposing things to the Council perhaps we should go for joint wins, ie there are benefits to others apart from cyclists. Examples are

20mph speed limit on Hammersmith Bridge. This would also have engineering advantages in prolonging the life of the bridge.

No parking or waiting or loading in cycle lanes during the peak hours. This would also allow a greater flow of general traffic. This would require some changes of regulations, and enforcement.

Phil would like more green paint or more frequent cycle logos on the road to give more emphasis to cycle lanes. However the aesthetic StreetScene directions are against putting down green surfaces. In the past we have pointed out that this manual gives a nonsense justification [something to do with CCTV coverage] for this attitude concerning cycle lanes.

1 MAY ELECTION FOR MAYOR AND GREATER LONDON ASSEMBLEY

LCC is having a workshop on Tuesday 8 April. The aim is to focus on local GLA candidates, how to engage them and what messages to put across.

LCC are able to secure the services of Andrew Cornwell (Lib Dem Councillor, former borough coordinator and skilled politician) and Brendan Paddy (author of LCC's manifesto article, media expert and former campaigns chair) among others on the 8th of April for a short session on pre-election cycling manifesto tactics. They would hold the session at LCC from 18.30 till approx 20.00 followed by a drink at the Leather Exchange in Leather market Street. There are a few places left. Please contact Charlie if you are an activist and interested.

Charlie Lloyd / Cycling Development Officer /London Cycling Campaign
020 7234 9310 ext 213 / charlie@lcc.org.uk

Hfcyclists AGM

This will be in the Info Centre at Hammersmith Broadway Centre. 7.15pm for 7.30pm on Tuesday 6 May.

RIDES, EVENTS, ETC?

Saturday 5 April, 11am - 3pm, Wormwood Scrubs Open Day, including Dr Bike. Around the Old Oak Community centre, near the SW corner of the Scrubs, East Acton.

Wednesday 16 April
There will be a Dr Bike event in Lyric Square, King street, Wednesday 16 April 11.30am to 2.30pm. See what they might do for your bike at http://hammersmithlondon.org/Dr_Bike.html

Kingston Green Fair
Bank Holiday Monday 26 May 2008, 11am until 8pm
http://kingstongreenfair.org.uk/

We discussed the World Naked Bike ride on 14 June
http://www.worldnakedbikeride.org/index.html

15 June GREENFEST West London - www.greenfest.org.uk

WEBSITE

Phil and Mark Fossick have been looking at the hfcyclists website and are coming up with suggestions for a revamped frontpage. Phil was impressed by the Camden Cyclists website, and particularly their mapping facility. Perhaps there can be some collaboration?

EXPENSES
Susie Gretz had expenses of £19.24 for refreshments. John reimbursed her cash, and will claim the amount from the hfcyclists account.

DATE AND PLACE OF NEXT MEETING
AGM /and regular meeting on 6 May 2008
at the Info Centre, Hammersmith Broadway


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