1. Welcome & Introductions
Julian Dobson (Chair), Lydian Meredith, Stephen Craven, Ray Suomi, Derek Mark, John Clarke, Andy Braben, Chris le Breton, Sarah Ellis. Apologies from Anthony Austin, Maria Robinson and David Senior.
2. July Minutes approved
Andy said that his practice had been to upload draft minutes to the wesbite and replace them with the amended version later, rather than wait for the final version. It was agreed to continue this arrangement (with drafts marked as such); proposed Ray, seconded Andy.
3. Rides
Ray said the schedule fro the next few weeks is now on the website. August rides had mainly been led by Lewisham or Southwark members. He recommended the mainly off-road and long route to Brighton via Guildford.
A few people (including Zoe) had entered the Wild Wales event, fewer than in previous years, and Ray had led six people round Norfolk (both on bank holiday weekend). Ray is considering a cycling holiday in Spain in 2007.
Afterworkers had ceased until next summer.
Stephen planned to lead a feeder ride to the Stop Climate Chaos rally on 4 November and would senddetails to Ray and Andy. Action - Stephen.
4. Planning
a) Greenwich Olympic route
Ray had sent comments to Roger Warhurst and Donald Anyiam following a ride of the route. No response had yet been received and he would follow it up. Action - Ray
b) CRISPs
The CRISP for LCN+ Link 59 (Greenwich Peninsula to Rochester Way) had not yet happened. Lydian had attended the CRISP for the Thames Path route, which would improve cycle acess to Woolwich town centre, and there was the possibility of filling in the "missing link" at Westminster Estate as part of this scheme, maybe using Sustrans funds. The CRISP looked at links to schools and Maryon Park. The barrier across Eastmoor Place by the vet's clinic below Maryon Park might be removed for easier access. It was regretted that Greenwich Cyclists had not been consulted at an earlier stage of development.
c) GOAL 2012
Barry Mason had submitted a motion to the London Cycling Campaign AGM that read:
"Southwark Cyclists and Newham Cyclists note that the LCC Board has not embraced the inspirational Sustrans GOAL 2012 proposals. We fail to understand why the Board seems to be negative in response to Sustrans' positive attitude. We call on the LCC Board to re-examine carefully their attitude to Sustrans' vision, and to work positively with them to ensure the best possible implementation of those proposals."
Ray expressed positive support for the motion, as LCC and Sustrans needed to work together. It was unanimously agreed to support it.
d) O2 Community Fund
LCC had forwarded an e-mail concerning this: O2 (sponsors of the Dome) has launched a new community fund to "enable people to make real improvements to where they live." Awards of up to £1,000 will be available to support local environmental, urban renewal and conservation projects.
No ideas were immediately forthcoming for environmental projects locally that had any bearing on cycling.
e) Bike Parking – Greenwich town centre
Lydian reported that she had contacted Cllr. Sidhu, who had responded to the effect that:
Donald Anyiam had since said that work would start "soon".
5. Pedal Power
There was some uncertainty whether Maria could continued to get printing done at no cost to GC. Lydian had been unable to source funding from Transport for London. Derek wondered whether Hilary (former GC chair) could use her contacts at the Big Lottery. Action - Julian.
The cost to GC of Lydian arranging printing of 750 copies (no colour) would be about £25 per month. This could be afforded for a few months but not indefinitely. Derek suggested inviting cycle shops in the borough to sponsor one issue each, possibly featuring their corporate colours; Chris supported the idea, but the cost would increase to about £100 per issue.
Lydian had delivered Pedal Power to several libraries, community centres and cycle shops. Harry Perry's in Woolwich were particularly grateful. One response had been received from someone who had picked up a copy in the library. Maybe other members could similarly distribute copies in future.
The Pedal Power distribution at Creek Road / Foot Tunnel was provisionally set for 12 September.
Also on the subject of publicity, Lydian suggested a small leaflet (double-sided DL size, i.e. 1/3 A4 size) with LCC contacts on one side and local borough group contacts on the other. Maybe LCC would cover the cost. Julian said he would raise this at the borough coordinators meeting. Action - Julian (LCC) / Lydian (design).
6. Maintenance
Information on the September/October classes was on the website and would feature in Pedal Power. They might not all run if there was not enough interest. The Armada Centre was currently only available Tuesday an Wednesday evenings.
7. Tour de France 2007
LCC as part of their "Active Spectator" strategy and along with the Good Going campaign are asking local group to take an active role in leading rides to the frist stage of the Tour in central London. Objectives included "ensuring representation from all of London's diverse communities, enabling new and returning cyclists to experience cycling in London, promoting active travel and active spectatorship and 'road test' active spectator strategies prior to London's mass participation bike ride and Olympics and Paralympics 2012." LCC will provide funding and marketing materials but with the aim that for every existing cyclist we encourage one new or returning cyclist. There is the incentive of dedicated space in Hyde Park for a 'front row seat' of the Tour de France prologue.
This sounded like being paid to do what we do already, but it would be good to come up with a "creative" route to the venue. Chris recalled that something similar happened when the Tour came to Britain in 1990. Ray suggested encouraging participation through schools; Chris suggested conatcting Jeremy Peterson, a pupil from Kidbrooke who took part in the Tour of Britain. Julian would discuss at the Borough Coordinators meeting. Action - Julian.
8. Storage of documents and bikes
Anthony still had a bag of materials from the last promotional event, and two ladies bikes that had been donated for training use (there was a question of insurance liability using these; there would need to be a disclaimer). He (Anthony) wondered whether these, and various documents, could be stored at the Armada centre. There was however a problem with getting access to them; documents would be better scanned for the Web archive. It was agreed to defer discussion to another time.
9. Any Other Business
a) Publicity and Training
Chris had volunteered to help with publicity and Julian had informally agreed to him taking on this role. It was agreed to confirm the appointment. Training was a good form of publicity; Maria was working mainly with under-11's and Liz with a local school, but Chris was willing to be trained to train adults; Lydian added that one of the aims of the SPAH campaign is to get older people exercising. Derek said money was still available for this; GC had paid half of Maria's costs. Julian would put Chris in touch with Liz and Maria. Action - Julian.
b) Foot tunnel
Ray suggested a groove for wheeling cycles up/down the stairs of the foot tunnel when the lifts were out of action. Lydian said it was already part of the CRIM proposal and Donald Anyiam was trying to get Thames Gateway funding for it. Anthony was aware of the issue.
c) Construction works – Cutty Sark Gardens
Ray said the work on the river wall west of Cutty Sark Gardens had been "ongoing" (but with no action) for a few years (Beach being the contractor). He would raise it with the Council. Action - Ray.