Notes of meeting 7 August 2002
1. Introductions
Welcome to all new members – 11 members attending.
2. Note of July Meeting
Agreed. Matters arising as follows:
• Barry has written a proposal for an exciting bike week event for Meridian Delta (Dome developers). They seem interested but we’re waiting to hear back from them officially.
• Bikeweek. Next year’s theme is commuting. Barry has suggested that we run bike buses – cycling convoys – every day during the week, varying the routes.
• Easy rides – Kate and Hilary have swapped months
• Ceilidh – 14 tickets sold already! Barry is to book a bouncer. Help needed to co-ordinate helpers on the night, for marketing, staffing the bike park etc. Kate and Karen volunteered
(Kate,Karen)
3. Cycling Strategy
Awaiting a response from Councillor Brooks who has sent a copy to the transport department for comments. Nick planning to go to surgery on 23rd August for further discussion. Nick to email group to see if anyone else prepared to go too!
(Nick.)
4. Anti-racist Festival
Thanks to all those that helped. Broad conclusions from a general discussion about the event were:
• Generally agreed that it was important to do it again, even though it made a loss.
• We should minimise losses though, possibly it was too cheap or sessions on crazy bikes too long.
• We should book earlier to get a better position Barry
• We should book the crazy bikes early when we know the date
(Nick)
5. Foot Tunnel Centenary
Binney’s event went well. A number of GC members attended, drank the champagne and did the ride. But no cash benefit to us, in spite of fact that we negotiated some costs and suggested the idea in the first place. Agreed to consider asking them to sponsor a ride/activity in the future.
6. European Car Free Day
Nick confessed that he had not written to the council yet complaining about the Council’s failure to organise an event this year. He planned to raise it directly with Councillor Brooks when he went to his surgery (but he wasn’t there!)
Agreed that instead we will do a big ride to other events in the capital, particularly Camden (where there’s lots going on) and Tower Bridge.
7. Events in 2003
Transport for London are planning to give grants to local groups who held events during Bike week this year, for events next year. Possibly match funding for our event at the Dome. Barry to mention to Millennium Delta.
(Barry)
8. London Cycle Network +
Camden Council now leads on the LCN. They propose to build 500 miles of strategic routes within the next 5 years to be known as LCN+. LCC has started a consultation process, with two meetings so far, one focussing on segregated routes, another on alternatives. There will be a presentation of each of these arguments to an open LCC management committee meeting next week, who will draft LCCs official view in September. [Details are on Greenwich Cyclists website]
9. Sustrans Rangering
Adrian has been doing lots of work along the Thames Path route to get it into shape. One issue is that the sign posts turn round (in the wind?) Need to tell Adrian
(Doug)
10. Planning
The Council is consulting on a 20mph zone in West Woolwich [roughly covering the area between Hillreach, Frances Street (both sides plus Red and Cambridge Barracks Road) Woolwich Church Street, Maryon Road and rear of (but not including) Heathwood Gardens]. Consultation document reveals that fatal or serious accidents on minor or residential roads are just as high as on the busy main roads, suggesting speed limits flouted heavily.
Agreed to write to the Council broadly supporting the plan, but calling for more bike friendly alternatives to the speed cushions where possibly, particularly the use of road narrowing and chicanes. And, asking for good policing.
(Nick)
Hapenny Hatch bridge, across Deptford Creek, is opening next week, official opening 3:30pm on 9 September.
There was some discussion on the proposed new EU rules establishing the presumption of liability of motorists involved in ‘accidents’ with cyclists or pedestrians. There was general support for the proposal.
11. Rides
Peter Corkhill is organising an alternative to the Locks, Docks ride on Saturday, leaving Waterloo at 9:15am.
Suggestions wanted for new rides.
Volunteers needed to lead the Easy Going Rides in November and December. These are approximately 10 miles on flat, traffic free routes if possible.
Volunteers?
12. Paying Bills
Karen reported that current system of paying bills very unwieldy as it involved two other signatories on the checks. It prevents electronic payment.
After some discussion, it was proposed that:
In future, where a payment is to be made, details are to be provided to the Treasurer. The Treasurer will be the sole signatory on the account. The Treasurer can only make this payment where email authorisation is given from one of either Linda, Barbara or Liz. The Treasurer must keep the paper trail. A maximum £5000 to be in the account at any one time.
Proposed by Nick Williams. Seconded by Julian Dobson.
Put to the vote and carried unanimously on a show of hands.
13. AOB
Barry has had a meeting with Caroline McKenzie of Greenwich Environmental Management Services who have given £500 match funding for bike training at the Millennium Health Project. They are interested in having further discussion involving GC, Recycle and Chris Compton Cycles about and cycle recycling project. Agreed to support further discussions about this initiative.
Nick Williams
Secretary
8 August 2002.