metDec2011

NOTES OF HFCYCLISTS MEETING and YEAR END FESTIVITY

Tuesday 6 December, 7.15pm for 7.30pm in the Info Centre, Hammersmith

PRESENT: John Griffiths, Ayse Kardes, Janusz Carmello, John Wright, Melanie Miller, David Marsh, Sima John, Alan Rowden, Mihaly, Petrina Helm, Shirin Khan, Chris Bainbridge [LBHF], and later – Marta Wojcik, Jackie, Joseph, Chris

APOLOGIES:
Susie Gretz, Paul Saunderson, Loretta Reehill, Diana Shaw Clark

RECENT HFCYCLISTS ACTIVITY

The ride led by John Wright to the steam museum in Kempton went very well. John W plans to lead a shorter ride perhaps in mid-January. Any other suggestions for a ride?

Simon Still has written to Council critical of the road layout for cyclists on the slip road at Fulham Palace rd. He claims that the roadway is too narrow and is designed for cars to go too fast into the gyratory. The Council’s suggested detours to avoid the gyratory going N-S, S-N are not very convenient, especially for those starting or finishing close to the gyratory.

One obvious approach is to make the gyratory 20mph. Cllr Stephen Greenhalgh has said he will get a bike. Chris Bainbridge has offered him use of a pool bike. When Stephen and Cllr join us for a ride around the gyratory one day soon I am sure they would appreciate a 20mph limit.

A response I [John G] have heard from Cllr Greg Smith is that the traffic rarely moves at more than 5mph. That is irrelevant. It is when it is racing that it is threatening. And if it is so slow most of the time the speed limit would not delay many motorists.

Paul Saunderson notes that two cycle stands have eventually been put outside Cycle Surgery at Shepherds Bush Green, a very long time after suggesting it. There was not much acknowledgement of progress from the Council.

Diana Shaw Clark has suggested a campaign to make cyclists realise the danger to themselves and others in not having adequate lights. If you have lights make sure the batteries are still good, or carry spares. [some batteries do not perform so well or last as long in cold weather]. And if you do not have lights that work well or a hi–viz vest, you know what to ask Santa for.

CENTRAL LCC MATTERS
At the LCC AGM the board postponed making a decision on a name change [to London Cyclists] until after mid 2012, as it is both contentious and there are problems at the moment with a voting system that gives all members an easy way to vote electronically.

A motion to revisit the change to the logo was not passed. The new logo is a series of circles resembling a cyclist. See http://www.lcc.org.uk/

For the mayorial campaign next May the LCC’s main drive is get candidates for London Mayor to commit to as many principles as they might of the Go Dutch campaign. This is to give cyclists safe space on the road.
See http://lcc.org.uk/pages/go-dutch

RECENT THINGS CONCERNING LBHF

Prior to the meeting Chris Bainbridge [Head of Transport Planning at LBHF] had sent the following update:-

[BEGIN]
Bjorn sends his regards from Hanover.

Matt Veale tells me Westfield works are likely to be in the new year - no date yet.

Borisbikes - plan to start building Westfield stations on site in January with a view to them coming into operation in March.
 Council officers are currently working with TfL to identify docking stations in the rest of the borough (from Fulham Palace Road and Shepherds Bush Road eastwards) - some 80-100 needed. The plan is to implement this extension in May 2013, but this will not be confirmed until after the Mayoral election in May 2012.
 Cycle Superhighway 9 - we are set to start design work but TfL are currently reviewing their design standards in the light of the recent deaths at Bow Flyover.
The work the council has done in offering on-road cycle training to HGV drivers has been recognised as part of the new Driver Certificate of Professional Competence accredited Safe Urban Driving course. We are the first authority in the country to have received this accreditation and it means we can start offering the training to other firms, starting with our highways contractors.
The government has instigated a slight liberalisation in the type of traffic signs we can use (with much more to come in 2014. This means we can now put up "No Entry" signs with "except cycles" underneath. Previously we had to use the "flying motorcycle" sign which caused problems in Sinclair Road, with drivers apparently not understanding what it means and consequently going the wrong way up the one-way sections
Rest of the work on Fulham Palace Road/Hammersmith gyratory, including pedestrian and cycle crossings, to be completed by next March.
[END]

Chris was at the meeting and responded to some questions.

John W asked about pot holes. Chris said that serious ones should be dealt with in 24 hours, others within a month. How do you distinguish between the two asks John W?

If you know of one that needs attention and is a hazard to cyclists you could send an email to chris.bainbridge@lbhf.gov.uk and donna.kelly@lbhf.gov.uk giving as much detail as possible and stating if it is a particular hazard for cyclists, ie in their normal path or near a junction. Donna is in charge of getting them inspected and seen to.

Someone asked about being stopped on the malls by the river. This is now allowed with pedestrian priority, and paviours indicate this. You are not allowed to cycle in the Dove Passage.

You are also allowed to cycle on the pavements of the A4 west of Hammersmith, presumably from Bridge Avenue going west.

RIDES, EVENTS, ETC?

Sunday, December 11, 2011
Annual ride to White Cross in Richmond for lunch.
 
Time: Leaving at 10.30am [note leaving time, not meeting and hanging around time]
Meet on the platform overlooking the Thames at the end of Queen Caroline st, almost under Hammersmith Bridge. Ride to White Cross in Richmond for our traditional Xmas Lunch. Probably travelling along the towpath, which might be muddy in places. Mudguards and overtrousers help. When we get to the White Cross pub in Richmond we will meet up with riders from a number of other boroughs in S W London. Please bring lights and hi-vis wear for journey back as it may be dark. Some people may come by other means and join us at noon at the White Cross, upstairs

Please let John now if you expect to be coming. Contact: John Griffiths
Telephone: 020 7371 1290 / 07789 095 748
Email: john@truefeelings.com.

 

EXPENSES
John G had expenses of £44.95 for refreshments. We are grateful to Petrina for contributing a bottle of wine, and to Melanie for bringing some cakes and chocolates.

INFO CENTRE
Hammersmith Community Trust runs the Info Centre. The Info Centre is threatened with closure in January. Should LBHF in its wisdom do this we would be very sorry. The Info Centre, run by Louanne and Chris Tranchell and Alan Rowden has served the community and us very well over at least a decade.

The HCT also run the Emerald Centre 2 and this is yet sooner and more definitely doomed by the building work in Beadon Road. TfL are behind this and may or may not provide an Emerald Centre 3.

[Any development in Beadon rd should allow for a clear cycle route through this bottleneck leading to the gyratory, especially as it is on the route of the Cycling SuperHighway 9, and not many eastbound cyclists are likely to take the detour via the Apollo]

DATE / PLACE NEXT MEETING
We will not have a meeting at the beginning of January. Next meeting probably Tuesday 7 February 7.15pm for 7.30pm. Place to be decided nearer the time.

CELEBRATION
We then had some drink and food and enjoyed good company. See photo here

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