metSept07

NOTES OF HFCYCLISTS MEETING

Tuesday 4 September 2007 , 7.15pm for 7.30pm in the Info Centre

PRESENT: John Griffiths, Bill Ogden, Louanne Tranchell, Bjorn Volk [lbhf], Susie Gretz, Amanda Carter

APOLOGIES: Cllr Gavin Donovan, Simon Maddison, Mo Morgan, John Smits, Chris Tranchell, Paul Alexander, Alan Rowden,

PARKING ON WANDSWORTH BRIDGE CYCLE TRACK

The situation is much improved. The group wanted john to send Graeme Swinburne a message congratulating him on behalf of the group.

We hoped this help to cyclists will extend in the future to keeping cycle lanes clear. There is room to revise the parking regulations beside cycle lanes and to better enforce the present regulations. John to speak to Chris Bainbridge [lbhf] to see best way forward. Bjorn suggested we renew the liaison meetings which the group used to have regularly with lbhf transport planners, but we have not had for a while.

IMPROVEMENTS ON WANDSWORTH BR RD AND NEW KINGS RD
Following CRISP studies some improvements are to be made on these routes. Further improvements will be under review.

REPORTING ABANDONED BIKES
Cllr Harry Phibbs has contacted john recently, hoping that the streets will be tidied of defunct bikes. This is useful as it liberates cycle stands and removes the "broken window" effect where, once some bikes are vandalised, it becomes the norm.

To report a dead bike send an email to streetscene.enforcement@lbhf.gov.uk. Harry would appreciate it if you would copy him in in you message - harry.phibbs [at] gmail.com.

The streetscene people are meant to spot these bikes, but as they go around in cars inconvenient to stop, or even se the bikes. Perhaps they should go around on bikes. Louanne suggested PCSOs could take it on as part of there job.

The underlying problem is the theft of bits of bikes. John and Bill will try and resurrect police / Council interest in the problem of cycle theft, vandalism.

Amanda reported that the LBHF home page had an item on an exploding, dye-spraying decoy device left in cars to annoy thieves.

Amanda knows that one police station does not know what bikes are stored at another police station or council yard. Bill mentioned a tagging system that could help you get your bike back.
BORIS

Meet Boris tonight [Wednesday 5 Sept] and hear him speak at 6.15pm in Vanston Place, by Nat West Bank, near Fulham Broadway. From the newsletter of Greg Hands MP.

WESTFIELDS CYCLING STRATEGY

This is good for cyclists wanting to get into the WhiteCity centre and avoid the carriageway on Holland Park roundabout. The plan is to widen the existing cycle tracks to the south of the roundabout. In front of the W12 centre it will continue a Toucan crossing and you will be able to cycle into the Whitecity complex.

On the northern side there will be a toucan crossing of the West Cross route. However to get to it is rather a long trek, and it is unlikely to draw many cyclists who are confident to use the roadway.

The strategy so far [2 drafts] does not give much help to alleviate the problems it will introduce to cyclists using the roadway - there are to be complex bus turning movements. It relies on the principle that the carriageway around SBG and HPR is not shown as a cycle route on maps, therefore it is not recommended for cycling. This argument means that the black holes will never be improved for cyclists.

It also relies on the CRISP study on the Uxbridge rd to sort out the problems. [john has just received a draft of this CRISP study, and at a first glance it does not appear to sort out the problems for cyclists in the region between the Rockley rd / Caxton rd and the roundabout.]

This is the big opportunity to sort things out in this area and should not be missed. Next step is a discussion of Westfield's Cycling Strategy at TfL in a week's time.

To see the critical responses to this strategy see
http://www.hfcyclists.org.uk/SBGopen.htm
[latest response at http://www.hfcyclists.org.uk/WhiteCityResponse28August.pdf]

John also believes that the low ratio of car spaces to retail floor space [compared to other shopping centres] and the layout of the road network leaves the system open to the creation of congestion and local gridlock, particularly when the car park is full. More another time.

HOVIS FREEWHEEL 23rd SEPTEMBER

People needed to chat to cyclists in Ravenscourt park, on the LCC stand. Perhaps to encourage LCC membership. Should be a hysterical and chaotic party. Over 5000 cyclists expected at Ravenscourt pk. John and Amanda say they will be there from 9.30am to 12.30pm, the expected peak time. People from other groups and central LCC expected to help out. Please contact john as below if you can come and help.

The event at the Ravenscourt Park Hub is from 10am to 6pm.

Bjorn has been trying to contact Limelight, the event organisers, for details, but so far has not had much response from them.

Register for the ride at www.londonfreewheel.com. Bjorn says apparently the bells have run out.

OPEN SPACE STRATEGY MEETING - Saturday 8th September. in Camden

Susie, Amanda, John are going along to this strategy meeting in Camden. Others welcome. See separate message sent out today. Details of the full day session (lunch will be provided). at
http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=914

GAZETTE

John met with the reporter Michael Russell from the Hammersmith Gazette and a photographer at SBG to discuss the new TfL cycling maps and cycle routes. This earlier on the day of this meeting. Article probably out later this week.

NCP CAR PARK DEVELOPMENT.

Louanne brought our attention to the planning application for this development on Hammersmith grove / Beadon rd. Does anyone want to checkout cycling provision? Application 2007/02005/FUL
see http://tinyurl.com/35z3op for documents. Any response needed by 23 Setember.

ANY RIDES, END OF SUMMER GARDEN PARTIES

Susie Gretz will lead a ride on Sunday 16 September along the canal going west to a pub near Horsenden Hill. Bring picnic. Come to Susie's for coffee at 10.30am before setting off. Please let Susie know if you expect to come. Expect to be back by 4.30pm if not earlier.

Susie at 4a Eynham rd, W12 0HA. 020 8749 1969 GrSusan5 [at] aol.com

EXPENSES FOR REFRESHMENTS £10.74 +£8.37 = £19.11

DATE FOR NEXT MEETING Tuesday 2nd October, 7.15 for 7.30pm at info centre.

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