1. Introductions
2. River crossing
Hilary has submittted our agreed response to Transport for London.
3. Business Cards
We have received a quote for around £60 for a one colour card, £94 for a two colour, £134 for three colours. It was asked whether we could get a "mock up". The art work will need to be produced. We will check with Richard if he could let us have a price. Who has the artwork? Obtain further quotes.
4. Pedal Power Distribution
Thursday September 11th we will do a Pedal Power distribution and cyclist count from 7am-9am. It was considered particularly important to count cyclists using the foot tunnel as they are not counted by Transport for London and they have been suffering due to lift closures.
5. Planning
Nick Williams brought us up to date with developments by issuing a separate note of activities. Concern was expressed about the London Cycle Network. It is being proposed and built without us being consulted. Greenwich Council disagrees with some of the LCN proposals and Greenwich Cyclists disagree with both the Council and the LCN! It was suggested that people get together with Nick on 10th September to discuss LCN proposals.
Greenwich Cyclists looked at the Council's proposals for Trafalgar Road. As three new sets of traffic lights are to be constructed it was suggested that phased lights favouring cyclists should be introduced. It was also stressed by all present that cycle lanes intruding onto the kerb are not to be used. We never use them, they endanger pedestrians and are a waste of money.
Nick has spoken with the Legal Department of Greenwich Council about the closure of Anchor Iron Wharf by Berkeley Homes. Apparently it could be closed for up to eighteen months although originally six months had been stated.
Councillor Mary Mills has expressed concern that Greenwich Cyclists and Sustrans intend to remove some of the sharp bends in the riverside path. She feels they "add character". It was suggested that she might care to join the Mayor on a ride from the Thames Barrier to Greenwich and see how these bends and narrow paths affect cyclists and pedestrians.
6. Eltham Green School
The Department of Transport together with Neighbourhood Renewal Funding has made £11,200 available to provide cycle training in the borough. To encourage cycling further east of Greenwich Eltham Green School (as an active sports centre) was selected by Greenwich Cyclists to be the focus of our training and funding. A cycle training and maintenance workshop is planned for Monday 22nd September (the day after European Car Free Day). William and Doug volunteered to assist with this.
Pete has about 14 bicycles in his back garden in Peckham but they need attention and transporting to Eltham Green School. The school has said that it can provide storage for the bikes once they arrive. Derek said he might be able to help transport the bikes.
It was felt that a cycle obstacle course might be fun for the children, as well as more serious Dr Bike and cycle safety training.
Greenwich Time Magazine would like to film children arriving at the school for their cycle training but have to obtain the permission of parents.
Confirmation is awaited from the school that the 22nd is not an inset training day. It was hoped to employ Team Xtreme stunt cyclists to entertain the children. Greenwich Council?s Safe Routes to School Travel Plan Co-Ordinator wants to launch their programme on the back of our initiative with Eltham Green School.
An easygoing ride is proposed for 27th September from Eltham Green School to reinforce some of the skills children will have acquired on the Monday. Suggestions were invited for suitable routes. Chislehurst Caves and The Thames Barrier were mooted. Parents will of course be welcome.
7. European Traffic Free Day
Sunday 21st September is going to be the day that Greenwich take part in this event. The council propose making a "beach" on King William Walk. They will provide a stall, chairs, gazebo and space for Greenwich Cyclists. Volunteers will be required to hand out Pedal Power and Sustrans and LCC leaflets. Greenwich Festival will let know Hilary know where stalls will be. Hilary will ask Halfords about providing someone to help with Dr Bike.
Councillor Peter Brooke asked if we would like to lead a Mayor's ride to the launch of Car Free Day. Greenwich Cyclists said they would be very keen to meet and arrange a ride but perhaps next May as it would be too rushed and disorganised now to be in time for Car Free Day this year. Volunteers for this please!
8. LCC
For each cyclist in the borough the London Cycle Campaign allocate a sum of money towards funding for that borough. If any Greenwich Cyclist would care to join the LCC they will receive a magazine every two months, 3rd party insurance, 10% from various bike shops on some goods. It is not necessary to be an LCC member to attend Forum.
9. Traffic Count
The LCC asked Greenwich Cyclists for cycle count data. We have not counted cyclists recently so it was agreed that on 11th September between 7am and 9am we would count cyclists on Creek Road and at the Greenwich foot tunnel. Because the lift is not working on the south side this may have affected numbers. It was suggested we amend Pedal Power (which we intend handing out to cyclists as they pass by) to enquire whether recipients know of cyclists who have been deterred from their journey by the lack of lift.
Barry said it would be valuable to count cyclists at the lift because TfL do not count them.
10. Greenwich Foot Tunnel South Lift
Kate said the lift should be fixed as soon as possible. She saw a lone parent struggling down with a baby on the back of her bicycle. She said that the DLR should make an exception for people like her and obviously disabled cyclists/wheelchair users to use the DLR when the lift is out of action.
11. Docklands Light Railway
Greenwich Cyclists and Tower Haklets recently wrote to the DLR requesting that cycles be allowed.
12. Deputy Mayor
All borough groups have been invited to meet the Deputy Mayor for up to one and a half hours. She will show them around the GLA building between September of this year and June of next. A maximum of 35 guests will be allowed.
13. Cycle Oscars
The LCC want to know of any merit worthy attempts to improve the lot of cyclists.
14. Design Centre, Islington, 24-28th September
Volunteers are required to man the LCC stall at the International Cycle Show. There is a "cloakroom for bicycles" so your steed will be well cared for while you slave away.
15. Ceilidh
The band is booked. Does anyone want to organise food? Does anyone have any good ideas for food or know anyone who does?
16. Transport for London
As part of "Way to Go Week" (15th-22nd September) TfL are organising breakfasts for cyclists on 18th September at: Grosvenor Square, Broadgate, Baker Street and Covent Garden. Should we attend with leaflets?
17. Easy Going Rides
Hilary asked whether we knew an easy ride to Herne Hill Velodrome. Unfortunately it was felt that there was no easy way there. Francis will do a ride from Eltham Green School on 22/10. Others are proposed for 27th September and 4th October. Any volunteers for the 4th or good ideas for routes? It was proposed that we have 2 easy rides, one from Cutty Sark, the other from Eltham Green School, meeting at the Waterfront. Leaders/suggestions needed for 1st and 22nd November. Hilary will lead a ride on 6/12/03 to Borough Market. Anthony said that the Hoo Peninsular would be a nice ride for beginners but it was felt that "easy rides" should not involve trains at this stage.
18. Website
This is now being looked after by Andy. Barry asked if his full resume of the Bala trip could be published.