metMay2012
NOTES OF HFCYCLISTS MEETING
Tuesday 1 May, 7.15pm for 7.30pm
at the home of John Griffiths
122c Edith road
W14 9AP
PRESENT:
John Griffiths, Ken McCosh, Loretta Reehill, Sima John, Janusz Carmello,
Susie Gretz, Roberta, Petrina Balfour Helm, Shirrin Khan, David Marsh,
Paul Saunderson,
APOLOGIES:
Rogwer de Freitas, Ayse Kardes
!] CENTRAL LCC MATTERS
Congratulations to LCC for organising the Big Ride and to all who participated. The "Go Dutch - Love London" Campaign has been directed at getting the Mayorial candidates to sign up to the LCC's safety points for cyclists,
Analysis is given here
http://lcc.org.uk/articles/policy-by-policy-analysis-of-leading-mayoral-candidates-cycling-manifestos
This Gives the order of merit as Jenny Jones, Ken Livingstone, Brian Paddick, Brian Johnston, Siobhan Benita.
Susie brought info from another group "Londoners on Bikes" that after analysis of cycling manifestos gave first choice Jenny Jones, second Ken Livingstone.
There is a transferable vote system so if someone voted for Jenny as first choice and she turned out not to be one of the leaders in the poll, that persons vote would be transferred to their second choice.
Ken pointed out that it was easy to promise things in elections, but it may just be electioneering, or other constraints like finance may prevent them from materialising. John pointed out that last time Boris promised that he would open up bus lanes to motorbikes and get rid of the Western CCX zone and that happened.
2] RECENT THINGS CONCERNING LBHF.
John spoke to Chris Bainbridge
yesterday and learnt that
a] The Council intend to put in a dropped kerb after the bus gate on Hammersmith
Bridge approach. At the moment there is no way for cyclists to return
to the carriageway other than at the crossing further down. This is good
news and we have been pressing for this for a long time.
b] On Uxbridge rd by Shepherds Bush central line station there is a possibility that the a dropped kerb to lead cyclists towards the toucan crossing of the A3220 may be put in after the Olympics when gas works mean the road has to be dug up at that point. Otherwise it may not be done until new Westfield Extension works are done. John thinks that it is appalling that it has taken so long already.
c] About 80 sites have been selected for Boris bikes in LBHF and there will be exhibitions to get the views of the public around the end of May. If Ken wins the Mayoral election things may change a bit as Ken considers the scheme rather more expensive than it should be.
d] Stephen Greenhalgh has resigned as leader and there will be elections for a new leader of the Council on 9 May. The results will be announced officially on 28 May.
e] Chris is now the Transport Planning Manager for both LBHF and RBK&C. Congratulations.
We were expecting to hear from Cllr Nick Botterill that Cllr Stephen Greenhalgh had acquired a bike and that they would be joining us on a ride of some problem spots in the Borough. That is since from before Christmas. After 9 May John will remind Cllr Nick Botterill and hope to get this moving.
One of our members had an accident on Wandon road. He was hoping to make a cut through from the New Kings Road to the Fulham rd, and was aiming for Holmead road but took Wandon road by mistake at night. This tarmac road suddenly stops and there is a brick surface ahead. In the poor light our member did not notice that there was a kerb between the two and had a nasty fall. Chris Bainbridge is aware of this, and perhaps the upstanding edge of the kerb can be treated with reflective white paint or some other measure can be taken. Meanwhile be AWARE of this potential problem.
POTHOLES AND DEFECTS
Loretta reports potholes on the LBHF website. There is also the facility to download an app that you can use with fancy mobile phones. The entry page for all this is
http://tinyurl.com/4x9sxw5
you can set up an account if you think you will be regularly submitting stuff.
Alternatively you can send an email to donna.kelly@lbhf.gov.uk and copy to chris.bainbridge@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.
Loretta says that RBK&C is better than LBHF at fixing potholes.
David will report the problem he keeps raising with the cycle path at Shortlands.
3] HOW PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO BE INVOLVED IN OUR GROUP
We talked about publicity for the group. Susie liked the old leaflets the group had. John will updated them and get some printed off an guillotined. For dispensers John will check on the price plastic leaflet holders. Sima has offered to make some from cardboard if they are very expensive.
Susie, Sima, Janusz, Petrina and John have offered to distribute the leaflets to appropriate places.
4] PLANS FOR BIKEWEEK, RIDES, EVENTS, ETC?
Saturday 16 June, is Open day at the Scrubs,
Sunday 17 June, Loretta will organise a ride to Syon Park.
Wednesday 20 June John will organise a sunset ride to the Roebuck in Richmond
5] EXPENSES
John had spent £26.60 for spare inner tubes for the Big Ride and
£30.59 on refreshments.= £57.19 total.
Paul had brought a toolkit for the group £33.97
Thanks to all of those who brought contributions to the food and wine.
6] DATE / PLACE NEXT MEETING
7.30pm on Tuesday 12 June at the home of Ken McCosh
12 Stanwick Rd,W14 8UH
John Griffiths [chair / co-ordinator]
020 7371 1290 / 07789 095 748
john@truefeelings.com
OUR WEBSITE www.hfcyclists.org.uk
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