Notes of hfcyclists meeting, Wednesday 12 June 2002, 7.30pm in the Info Centre

Present: John Griffiths, Jane Knight, Alex Forest [LBHF]

Apologies: Mark Alderton, Louanne Tranchell, Anny Mortada, Roger de Freitas, Simon Franklin, John Ryan.

1 The Tram. We approved of the suggestion that we work with other LCC groups along the Uxbridge rd route in dealing with Transport for London. Martin from the Ealing LCC group has sent us their aims

a. To keep the Uxbridge Road as a through route for cyclists.
b. To ensure that cycle access to town centres is not hindered in any way.
c. To make sure that tram rails do not pose a hazard to cyclists

We would like to add
d. To seek improvements to the cycling infrastructure along the route as part of an overall improvement to sustainable transport.

John g would work with the other groups. He would also write to Chris Bainbridge requesting that we be included in planning meetings with TfL concerning the tram.

Anyone interested in following the Central LCC debate about the tram should join the following email group. Join by sending a blank message to
lcc-issues-subscribe@yahoogroups.com


2 Hammersmith Broadway. Colin Glendenning of the highways department, has asked what input could we make to the design of cycling facilities here, both in the short term arrangements and longer term plans?

Alex and John g will co-operate with Colin Glendenning and observe the Broadway to see how paint on the road may be used to encourage safe cycling.

[Alex said that a place he found particularly threatening was when he would be cycling west on Talgarth rd and cars would cut across him at the last moment to turn into Fulham Palace rd. We should try and get accident statistics for the Broadway]

One suggestion is the use of Bicycle Friendly Zones, an idea recently discussed on the lcc-issues email group. Here cycle markings are used on the road to increase awareness of the possible presence of the odd cyclist. As cyclists take many different paths in going around the Broadway this may be a better option than cycle lanes.

Or cycle lanes could be used for example around the inner edge of the Broadway and BFZ markings used in other places.

Another suggestion was a 20mph speed limit for the Broadway. Alex pointed out that Wimbledon Broadway might be held up as a successful example of a 20mph zone.

Jane suggested getting assistance from experts in other LCC groups and from Transport2000.

As for long term plans, if any changes are made to the bus station, it may be an opportunity to move the roadway on the north side of the Broadway down a bit, i.e. in a southerly direction. This would allow for a two way cycle facility between Beadon rd and Hammersmith rd on the north side of the road

Also we would like to see surface level crossings going across to the Apollo.

[These may be more radical suggestions than what is wanted. Long term plans may mean paint on the pavement]

3 Don't choke. We have a stand on Friday 14 June in Lyric Square. We decided to cut the times for the stand to 12noon to 2.30pm. Other stands on the day are Local Agenda 21 and Friends of the Earth. John g will be at the stand and would be grateful of any support. Alex has been organising this week's events Lyric Square.

4 H&F bikeweek events. 15 to 24 June. Details of these and all London bikeweek events on our website. www.hfcyclists.org.uk Please come along and also consider helping on the day.

SUNDAY 16 JUNE Ride to Richmond Park and Wimbledon Common
WEDNESDAY 19 JUNE Free breakfast Town Hall forecourt
SUNDAY 23 JUNE Ride to the Camden Bloomsbury Bikefest
SUNDAY 23 JUNE Barbeque and picnic on Royal Festival Hall beach

Jane may be able to help on the ride to Richmond Park and Wimbledon Common. She suggested visiting the Buddhist Temple in Calonne rd off Parkside on this ride.

At the Wednesday Cyclists breakfast at the Town Hall OYbike is expected to be demonstrating how a cycle is not trapped by 3 OYbikes tethered on top of it.

5 John g will give a talk on the benefits of cycling to the Heart Support group at Charing Cross Hospital next Wednesday. Not many of the dozen or so bypass patients are likely to give up their zimmers for two wheels, but at least it is an introduction to the health arena. Alex suggested contacting Kristine Coan, the Council's Health Promotion Officer. We would like to make some advances promoting the health benefits of cycling. Anyone interested please contact John g.

6 Following from the Environment and Regeneration Scrutiny Panel meetings, it is believed that a Cycling Safety Strategy is going to be produced. This is the responsibility of the Borough engineer, aka Roger Khanna. [this would appear to be different from the Cycling Strategy which is the responsibility of the Transportation Policy group]
[There was a conflicting ERSP meeting tonight that partly explains our low turnout]

7 A polite notice has appeared on bikes chained to railings around the Broadway.

Polite Notice
The chaining and parking of bicycles within the Broadway is in breach of the Centre's Fire Regulations. Bicycles may be removed without warning at the request of the Fire Officer. May we respectfully ask that bicycle parking facilities are used outside of the Centre. Thank you
The Broadway Centre Management.

These notices were attached to cycles parked on Highways land. They are in the form of A4 sheets stuffed somewhere on the bike. Alex will investigate.

8 Alex suggested we arranged summer evening rides down to pubs along the river.

9 A grant that we had applied for from the community chest has been turned down. It would have been for a cycle trailer and promotional equipment, a laser printer and a digital camera.

10 We decided we should spend the rest of the money we have outstanding from a grant. John g suggested ink for the colour printer, which is going very fast. Jane would like reflective strips that could be attached to a bike and printed with our web address.

11 Expenses. John g had expenses for

2 reams of paper at £5 each plus 2 reams of paper at £9 each making £28
laminating posters £6
6 bottles of wine [half price offer] at £14.19
[no wine was opened tonight - a sober evening]

12 Next meetings July 10, and Roger's soiree July 17
PUT in diary NOW.

John Griffiths
020 7371 1290
our website