London Cyclist April-May 2011

magazine of the London Cycling Campaign April - May 2011

DOUBL OUR VO E ICE Sign u

p you family f r friends and or m today — embership see page 25

2012 ELECTION CAMPAIGN Have your say via our new website (see page 4)

01_cover.FINAL.indd 1

22/03/2011 21:43

Password

Website WWW.CHAINREACTIONCYCLES.COM

WORLDS LARGEST ONLINE BIKESTORE

Log in

More than just our customers...

facebook.com/ChainReactionCycles - 200,000

Join our online community / Follow us on

Free UK and Ireland delivery on all orders

IFC.indd 2

15/03/2011 23:40

2 Newhams Row London SE1 3UZ 020 7234 9310 www.lcc.org.uk

Editorial contacts Editor: John Kitchiner; londoncyclist@lcc.org.uk Design: Anita Razak Communications: Mike Cavenett; mike@lcc.org.uk LCC contributors: Ashok Sinha, Tom Bogdanowicz, Charlie Lloyd, Matt Mallinder, Gerhard Weiss, Alex Crawford

Advertising contact Jo Brookes, 020 7657 1831; lcc@tenalps.com

Contribute to the mag Email londoncyclist@lcc.org.uk to discuss feature ideas

www.lcc.org.uk For the latest news, campaigns and events info, visit the LCC website. Also sign up for our fortnightly e-newsletter

Editorial, copyright & printing policy LCC is not aligned with any political party. All views expressed in London Cyclist are those of the authors and are not necessarily endorsed by the editor, nor do they necessarily reflect LCC policy.

Editorial content is independent of advertising. All material is copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the written permission of the editor.

London Cyclist is printed by Wyndehams on paper made from 80 percent recycled waste and 20 percent sustainablymanaged forest.

London Cycling Campaign is a charitable limited company, reg no 1766411; charity no 1115789.

Contents news, letters & opinion

News Local interest, city-wide campaigns and lastest on LIPs Letters Your bi-monthly comments, queries, rants and raves Ashok Sinha On why a name change to 'London Cyclists' is a necessary move Zoe Williams How bikes can readily define a national stereotype

4 10 13 15

features Forward thinking Oliver Schick explains why a new policy document is needed How to influence planning Interview with Barry Mason of Southwark Cyclists HGV campaign How lorry drivers can make London's streets safer Double Our Voice Sign up your family and friends for membership Best Rides in London Docks & Ducks: a loop just south of the Thames London interest We look at the capital's blossoming bike recycling projects Have Your Say New feature: members comment on local cycling facilities Travel Ideas for independent or tour group holidays in Spain

16 22 26 38 30 32 36 38

reviews Bikes Four dazzling new singlespeeds ridden and rated Grouptest Men's and women's cycling shorts reviewed by LCC staff Product Singlespeed crank, waterproof gloves, mtb slicks and much more Books Riverside pub guide, plus the latest bike-related paperbacks

42 45 46 48

members Group news What's happening in your local area and two-month rides listing London cyclists Photographic vox pops of the city's diverse bike community

51 58

WHAT LCC DOES… ■ Campaigns for change ■ Supports our members ■ Promotes London cycling

COVER: Steve Rutherford LOCATION: Thames Path, Waterloo

LCC’S STRATEGIC AIMS ■ Promote cycling to the people ■ Redesign our streets for cycles ■ Promote cycling to our politicians ■ Make cycling diverse and inclusive (www.lcc.org.uk/strategy)

MEMBER BENEFITS ■ Up to 15% off in bike shops ■ Free third-party insurance cover ■ Exclusive deals on bike insurance ■ Free bimonthly magazine ■ Free legal helpline

April-May 2011 London Cyclist 3

03_contents.FINAL.indd 3

22/03/2011 13:35

NEWS

News Visit www.lcc.org.uk for campaign updates and latest news reports

Wednesday 30 March saw the latest 'Day Of Action' where members gathered signatures for LCC's No More Lethal Lorries petition. This vital campaign aims to make streets safer from lorries, which make up only five percent of traffic, but are involved in half of all London cyclist fatalities.

Too many cyclists have died or been terribly injured already in 2011, and all cyclists are being asked to contribute to the effort to prevent further casualties.

Our petition demands cycle training for lorry drivers and we say councils must take the lead in providing it for all their HGV drivers straightaway. The campaign has already resulted in four London boroughs training their lorry drivers, but more needs to be done.

SIGN THE PETITION If you haven't already, please sign the online petition at www. no-more-lethal-lorries.org.uk.

Every signature counts. During May, LCC will present the petition to local councils and TfL.

New dawn for 'London Cyclists' A new website, a new name, and a strong member-chosen 2012 campaign herald exciting times for LCC over the coming months. All members are being urged to visit our new-look website (launching 1 May), where they’ll find a new platform for members and London cyclists to air their views. During the coming months, we plan to expand it further to make it an essential tool for networking, campaigning and sharing the experiences of Londoners who cycle.

In a exciting move, the Board of Trustees has given its approval for LCC to change its name to ‘London Cyclists’. Chief executive Ashok Sinha said: “We need to find a better way to appeal to new members, and through that amplify the impact of our campaigning.

The time has come to give our organisation a more organic ‘people-centric’ feel.”

Implementation is scheduled for 1 May to give every member the chance to make their views known in the meantime.

Finally, in the run up to the

London Mayoral and Assembly Elections in spring 2012, we aim to run the biggest, most effective and most popular campaign that we have ever organised. In tandem, we’re launching a refreshed and lively online policy ‘handbook’ to make it clear what we stand (see page 16). We want to attract as many of you as possible to participate in the 2012 campaign and to inspire widespread support from the general public.

Ashok Sinha said: “The first step will be to identify an

jock303

Day of Action adds weight to HGV campaign

ambitious, propositional campaign theme: a measure that would have a truly transformative impact on Greater London. We hope you’ll participate in the online consultation that starts on 1 May via the new website.”

If you want to send us feedback on the name change, the new website, the policy handbook, or the 2012 campaign before 1 May, please email us at feedback@lcc.org. uk. And please visit the new website when it’s launched in May.

£4m available for driver training in Biking Boroughs Biking Boroughs bidding for £4 million of extra funding are being encouraged by Transport for London to spend money on cycle-awareness training for council lorry drivers. LCC has led calls to expand the training as part of its five-point No More Lethal Lorries campaign to reduce the danger to cyclists from lorries in London.

In February TfL announced the funding plan, to be spread over three years, which the 13 outer London 'Biking Boroughs' will bid for. It specifically

highlighted cycle-awareness training for lorry drivers as one of the projects that's eligible for this funding.

Collisions with HGVs account for over half the cyclist fatalities in Greater London.

LCC chief executive Ashok Sinha said: “We welcome the new funding and would like to see all eligible boroughs use part of it to provide cyclist-awareness training for all their lorry drivers.

"However, if the Mayor wants to see outer London boroughs match the cycling growth in

central London, he needs to allocate much more ring-fenced funding for this purpose.”

TfL estimates two-thirds of the potential growth in cycling can come from outer London boroughs, most of which have very low current levels of cycling (some below one percent of journeys). More than half of London residents in outer boroughs say they would consider cycling more, but local councils have to invest in cycle-friendly routes, cycle parking and cycle training to

enable them to do so.

LCC wants the Biking Boroughs to boost extra funding they secure from TfL with significant additional money from their own transport budgets. Decades of investment in car-oriented road design in outer London has left these parts of the city with numerous barriers to cycling, such as high-speed roads without any provision for cyclists or walkers.

And concerted action by TfL and borough councils is needed to reverse this trend.

+++ To receive a fortnightly e-newsletter on London cycling issues, sign up at www.lcc.org.uk +++ 4 London Cyclist April-May 2011

0405_news.FINAL.indd 4

22/03/2011 20:49

Review promised over Blackfriars Bridge road design Mike Cavenett

Transport for London has promised a review of "the widespread road layout" at Blackfriars Bridge, in response to campaigners' criticisms of the redesign plans which fail to adequately address cyclist safety.

The new plans, designed by Network Rail consultants, give more space for pedestrians, allowing better access to Blackfriars Station, and include removing a cycle lane in the process. Yet despite the threefold increase in cycle traffic, planners are determined to maintain capacity for motor traffic, based on irrational fears about increased congestion taken from outdated computer modelling.

Clare Neely, of LCC's engineering committee, said: "In reality, people are more intelligent than the models suggest; they find other ways of making short trips that are no longer sensibly done by car. Evidence from other bridges shows that TfL's predicted gridlock doesn't happen: the construction work at Blackfriars Station, and at other sites up and down that railway line, simply haven't created massive congestion."

Back in 2004, a TfL inquiry into two cyclist fatalities on Blackfriars Bridge found that consultation failure and poor

cycle-lane design played a major role in the deaths. As a result of the inquiry, all TfL cycle planning processes were overhauled. And in 2006, when the northbound flows on Blackfriars Bridge were redesigned, LCC was consulted and promised a ‘non-motorised user audit’ before the southbound flows were redesigned.

Now, in 2011, it's been revealed that a section of cycle lane on the northern end is to be removed and replaced with an extra traffic lane. LCC's Charlie Lloyd said: "We were shocked when we saw the designs for the whole junction. Frighteningly, they'll encourage high volumes of

motor traffic on to what could be a glorious riverside location."

"LCC is calling on the Mayor to acknowledge that Blackfriars Bridge is no longer the main trunk road crossing of the Thames. The whole area needs to be redesigned to allow for another doubling of cycle traffic in the next decade."

A silver lining in the otherwise appalling design is the proposal for a cycle lane across the roundabout at the north end of the bridge, giving cyclists access to an easy right turn from the ramp up from Victoria Embankment to go southbound on the bridge.

More bikes than cars on bridges in rush hour A new survey on the capital’s bridges shows that since 2000 rush-hour cycling levels have gone up by approximately 140 percent, while private car flows have fallen by about 40 percent.

Cyclists now account for a quarter of all bridge traffic in the morning peak, with Blackfriars Bridge showing one of the highest increases in cycle flows.

The increase in bicycle traffic strengthens the case for the reallocation of road space and an enforced 20mph speed limit on bridges and their approaches.

A little-publicised 2008 TfL study concluded that enforced 20mph speed limits on just four bridges – Putney, Vauxhall, London and Westminster (where collision rates were highest) – would save the captial £7m over five years. The study compared the cost of installing speed cameras against the financial cost of road collisions as estimated by the DfT.

One cyclist was killed and another seriously injured in the space of 24 hours at the beginning of February, bringing fresh calls for cyclists to sign LCC’s No More Lethal Lorries petition.

On Tuesday 1 February, some time before 8am, a male cyclist was in a collision with a tanker on Brixton Road, one of south London's busiest cycle commuter routes. Few details of the crash are known, though witnesses report seeing a damaged hybrid bicycle and a young man with serious leg injuries.

The following day, at around 4.45pm, 28-year-old Dan Cox

was hit by a left-turning lorry at Dalston Junction. He was rushed to Homerton Hospital, but died a few days later from the injuries sustained. His friends have since placed a white bike near the scene of the crash (pictured).

Dalston Junction is recognised as a very difficult junction for cyclists and all other road users. The very busy North Cross route meets the A10 here; both roads have poor casualty records for cyclists. In the previous 12 months there has been one fatality involving a taxi and two very serious injury crashes on this east-west route.

Mike Cavenett

Young cyclist killed in lorry collision

Until February it had been six months since a cyclist was killed in this way.

Charlie Lloyd, LCC campaigns officer said: "All our hopes and wishes are with these cyclists and their families."

Cyclists are urged to sign LCC's No More Lethal Lorries petition,

which is calling for all councils to provide on-bike cycle training for its drivers.

■ LCC’s local group in Hackney group has supported the No More Lethal Lorries campaign by raising more than £700 at its annual Burns Night dinner and dance.

+++ LCC local groups organise bike rides throughout the year — see page 55 for a full listing +++ April-May 2011 London Cyclist 5

0405_news.FINAL.indd 5

22/03/2011 20:49

NEWS

South Bank victory

U-TURN ON RIVERSIDE RIDING: signs banning cyclists from South Bank replaced by 'Considerate Cycling Welcome' ones

The new 'No Cycling' signs on the South Bank have been removed, after LCC activists lobbied for considerate cycling to be allowed on this popular path.

A spokesperson for Lambeth council said: "The 'No Cycling' signs that were erected on the South Bank were advisory and

part of an ongoing experiment to tackle aggressive cycling along this stretch of the South Bank. However, we recognise that a large number of considerate cyclists were affected by this decision.

"As a result of feedback from residents and users of the river

walk, we decided to replace the 'No Cycling' signs with ones saying the following: 'Pedestrian Priority. Considerate Cycling Welcomed'.

Erection of the new signs took place during March and PCSOs have been instructed to stop anyone they feel is riding too fast.

Disabled rider banned from riverside path News of the removal of the ‘No Cycling’ signs on the South Bank came shortly after a lady with a disability was ordered off her mobility tricycle on the path.

Ann Wright was stopped by a Community Support Officer and told she should not be cycling along on the section

by Lambeth Bridge. When stopped, Mrs Wright showed the PCSO her elbow crutch as proof of her disability, but "without any effect".

Mrs Wright recently purchased her tricycle after participating in the Wheels for Wellbeing cycle activity programme. The charity complained to Lambeth Council about the situation.

"She has yet to complete her cycle training," a Wheels For Wellbeing spokesperson said, "so tackling the traffic on Lambeth Palace Road and Westminster Bridge roundabout is still a challenge for her."

World's fastest velodrome Islington car parking scheme will increase congestion and pollution skimps on cycle parking It may house what's reportedly the fastest cycling track in the world, but LCC has learned that there are plans for only 222 cycle parking spaces outside the 2012 Olympic velodrome.

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) estimates that seven percent, or fewer, spectators will arrive at events by bike, despite the provision of several on- and off-road cycle routes to the Olympic Park. The current plan represents just four percent of the stadium's

6,000-person seating capacity.

The ODA suggests that extra parking could be provided by race organisers, but there is no space currently allocated for temporary stands to be erected. LCC has argued that space for up to 20 percent of spectators should be allocated at the velodrome.

HAVE YOUR SAY If you want to ride to the Olympic Park and park your bike securely, you can write to the ODA by visiting www. london2012.com/contactus.php. There, you can also indicate that you'd like to ride to velodrome events after the Olympics.

Islington Cyclists Action Group (ICAG) is campaigning to stop its local council introducing a scheme that will encourage short journeys by car, with negative impacts on both congestion and pollution. Islington Council proposes introducing a Residents’ Roamer policy, which would allow all car owners with street parking permits to park their vehicles within any parking zone in Islington between the hours of 11am-3pm.

ICAG wrote to Islington Council saying: “This is the first time in our shared memory that ICAG has been consulted on any scheme that sets out to increase motor traffic.”

John Ackers of ICAG added: "Roamer permits will encourage a significant increase in the

number of car journeys made within Islington, while also encouraging visitors from beyond the borough to travel in by car.

This is completely contrary to the council’s longstanding sustainable transport and parking policies, which seek to discourage non-essential car use and encourage other modes such as walking, cycling and public transport.”

Consultation on the scheme ended on 11 February and numerous emails were submitted on behalf of Islington cyclists, as well as other residents who are concerned that the policy is unfair to residents on council estates who might not hold on-street parking permits. The scheme was due to commence in March.

+++ Find a comprehensive archive of London Cyclist news and features at www.lcc.org.uk +++ 6 London Cyclist April-May 2011

0607_news.FINAL.indd 6

20/03/2011 21:28

Cycle path under Stratford High Street links key routes months. The towpath from Old Ford Lock to Stratford High Street at the Bow flyover will remain open however.

It is on the Newham side of the Lea Navigation that the pontoon pathway will be installed under the High Street.

British Waterways says that cyclists and walkers will be able to use the existing towpath as normal during the installation period. On the other side of Stratford High Street is the towpath leading to Three Mills.

This towpath, on the opposite side of the Lea Navigation, and therefore technically in Tower Hamlets, will also be closed for five months; a diversion route will be in place while the bridge is constructed.

Bernard McDonnell of Newham Cyclists said: “The importance of the pathway and bridge for London cannot be overemphasised. It creates a 28-mile continuous off-road, vehicle free, route along the Lea Navigation from Ware and Hertford to link with the Olympic

Park, Three Mills and the Limehouse Cut at Bow Locks.

The Limehouse Cut route takes cyclists and walkers along the Cut towpath, with access to Canary Wharf, to Limehouse Basin, St Katharine’s Dock and Tower Bridge in Central London.

A pathway under Stratford High Street creates a second continuous cycling and walking route by linking the Lea Navigation to a new towpath

route along the tidal River Lea.” The Lea River Park project, run by the Thames Gateway Corporation, will open up the bizarrely-named ‘Fatwalk’ by March 2012. This will open up the towpath along the Lea at Three Mills for the first time since the Lea was a working river.

■ The route forms part of a series of New Newham Bike Rides — see Rides Listing on page 55.

Bernard McDonnell

British Waterways and their funding partners, which includes the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), have announced that £2.4 million of funding is now in place for the construction of a cycling and walking route underneath Stratford High Street.

The Lea Navigation (canal) which defines the border between the London boroughs of Newham and Tower Hamlets flows under the High Street. Up to now cyclists and walkers have had to leave the towpath at this point and risk life and limb by crossing the busy and dangerous High Street to re-join the towpath on the other side of the road.

There is no pedestrian crossing in the area. The construction of a waterside path and a bridge to link the towpaths on either side of the High Street has been a campaigning objective of Newham Cyclists and the London Cycling Campaign.

As a result of the bridge being built, the Lea Navigation will be closed to boats, from Old Ford Lock to Bow Locks for five

MISSING LINK: new £2.4m 'pontoon pathway' to be built at Lea Navigation

Cycle parking standards Latest word on LIPs not changed in a decade Mayor Boris Johnson is refusing to amend the out-of-date London Plan, which urgently needs stronger demands on developers to put more cycle parking in new buildings. The requirements haven't risen in over a decade, while cycling in London has doubled in the same period (up 117 percent since 2000, according to the Mayor's own figures).

The capital’s cycle parking standards for new developments still only demand one parking space for every 250 square metres of office space, which can mean as little as one for every 40 occupants.

LCC's Tom Bogdanowicz said: "Right now London's councils are copying these outdated standards into their Local Development Frameworks, so these inadequate figures will permeate into every borough. The Mayor needs to ensure a standard that allows 20 percent of staff to cycle rather than two percent."

GET INVOLVED Write to your local councillor (www.writetothem.org), telling them Londoners need a minimum of one space for every 25sqm of office space.

Many of London 's outer boroughs are setting extremely low targets for cycling in their Local Implementation Plans (LIPs), damaging the Mayor's targets for cycling growth in Greater London.

LCC's local groups have just submitted their responses to their borough's draft LIPs, and feedback from them has revealed that many outer London boroughs consider the Mayor's target of five percent of journeys by bike by 2026 unachievable. Some boroughs are aiming for as little as two percent, although LCC says a target of 20 percent of all London journeys by bicycle by 2025 is possible.

LCC's cycling development officer Gerhard Weiss said: "Those boroughs setting low targets are ignoring strong evidence from a Transport for London survey showing that 58 percemt of people want to cycle

more and 50 percent of cycleable journeys are in outer London (Delivering the Benefits of Cycling in Outer London, 2010).

There is also strong evidence from the Department for Transport showing that investing in cycling has a return of £3 for every £1 spent.

"Cycling growth of five percent is easily achievable with some political will. We urge the Mayor to review the submissions with utmost scrutiny and not to let boroughs choose the lazy, business as usual option."

Each council's LIP document is crucial for the future cycle-friendliness of the borough, setting spending priorities for a total of £390 million being allocated to build and maintain local streets.

In the next issue of London Cyclist, we'll explain to what extent each borough has encouraged cycling and what this may mean for your area.

+++ Watch out for details of a very special London Cyclist summer ride in the June/July issue +++ April-May 2011 London Cyclist 7

0607_news.FINAL.indd 7

20/03/2011 21:28

20'sPlenty

NEWS

Research into public health backs 20mph limits

LOWER SPEED LIMITS: backed by NHS advisory body which makes recommendations to promote public health

A new report from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) — 'Preventing unintentional injuries among under-15s' — recommends strictly enforced residential 20mph speed limits.

NICE is an important NHS advisory body, best known for deciding which drugs GPs can prescribe, though it also makes research-based recommendations to promote public health.

Herne Hill needs £5m for regeneration plans

Politicians and sports stars are backing the Save the Herne Hill Velodrome campaign’s aim of raising £5million to rebuild the historic cycling venue.

Lord Sebastian Coe, former sports minister Tessa Jowell MP, London Assembly member Val Shawcross, Kate Hoey MP, 1948 cycling medallist Tommy Godwin and former pro rider Tony Doyle, all attended a packed supporters meeting at City Hall in February.

The track, built originally in 1891 and part of the 1948 Olympics, is currently used by thousands of professionals, keen amateurs and youngsters.

Olympic gold medallist

Bradley Wiggins started out at the track and says: ”It’s appeal goes beyond professionals like me — it generates our country’s future winners and Londoners need to fight to keep this facility.”

LCC’s local group, Southwark Cyclists, has supported the campaign to save Herne Hill from the outset. It is also supported by British Cycling, local councils and the Mayor. The Dulwich Estate, which owns the stadium, also wants to see the continuation of cycling at the stadium.

Plans for the stadium include a resurfaced track, new pavilion, family cycle circuit, an off-road track and a bike polo pitch.

The NICE report says signage, road design and engineering should be used to reduce vehicle speeds on roads where children and young people are likely to be, such as those near playgrounds

or schools, residential roads, or where pedestrian and cyclist journeys are frequent.

NICE is the latest medical body to back 20mph speed limits, which are widespread on the continent in residential areas, and have been shown to reduce injuries in Greater London by over 40 percent.

Rod King of campaign group 20's Plenty said: "With the NHS bearing the main costs of unnecessary road death and injury this is a necessary call to action to clean up the way we share our streets. Lower speed limits are widespread throughout Europe and are increasingly seen as a moral and financial imperative if our urban and residential roads are to be safe and pleasant places to walk, cycle or drive."

Another gyratory scrapped after long-term lobbying Works have started on the A10 High Road, Haringey, which will return streets to two-way traffic, though campaigners say not enough is being done to encourage walking and cycling.

The removal of the gyratory comes after years of lobbying by cyclist and walking organisations who argue that London's multilane one-way systems are detrimental to the safety and enjoyment of anyone not using motorised transport. The initial works will upgrade footways, clear street clutter and plant larger trees, and be completed by this summer.

LCC's Mike Cavenett said: "We welcome the demise of London's gyratories, but unfortunately high volumes of motor traffic will still have a hugely detrimental effect on people who live and work in the area. Having five lanes in the High Road and mostly five lanes on Monument Way will do little to encourage people to walk or cycle. The plans show several segregated cycle lanes, but they're disjointed and narrow, so aren't likely to encourage mass cycling."

The £35 million improvements

are being funded by TfL, the London Borough of Haringey, and the Homes and Communities Agency, along with local developer contributions.

Work on removing the gyratory system will begin in autumn 2012, timed to start after the Olympics, and will also see the construction of a larger bus station and a new public square at Tottenham Hale station, with completion for the whole project in 2015.

■ Maps of the improvements can be found at www.tfl.gov.uk/ tottenhamhalescheme.

+++ Get a full listing of local maintenance classes at http://tinyurl.com/LCCmaintenance +++ 8 London Cyclist April-May 2011

008_news.FINAL.indd 8

20/03/2011 21:22

p9.indd 9

15/03/2011 23:42

LETTERS

Letters Comment, opinion, rants and raves — send yours to londoncyclist@lcc.org.uk

dlharries

Isn't it time to accept absolutely that changing infrastructure is easier than changing behaviour, and start campaigning for Amsterdamstyle segregated cycle lanes?

I just can't see how the cycling revolution can happen unless something actually changes. In the meantime, innocent lives are being lost. It's time to stop pussyfooting around. A few strips of green paint won't make an 8-year-old feel safe on his or her cycle to school, and it won't stop a HGV crushing another cyclist to death.

Andrew Tobart, email

MORE SEGREGATION

PRISON BREAK: sign up for a summer ride linking London prisons (including Wormwood Scrubs, above) and help New Bridge

INSPIRING IDEA I thought Thomas Moulton’s feature on his charity bike ride (London Cyclist, Feb-Mar 2011) was superb and I have a lot to thank him for. Without Tom knowing it, he inspired me to tweak his idea by organising a charity bike ride, last September, to every London prison in support of New Bridge’s work.

The ride raised over £3,000 — so massive thanks to Tom. The ride was hugely enjoyed by all those who did it and, by popular demand, I will be leading it again this year on Sunday 12 June. It's a great way to see London as well as supporting New Bridge’s vital work, which is essentially befriending people in prison and mentoring them when they come out. Being a volunteer I know that any support in prison can drastically improve the chances of a person going straight on release.

The ride starts from Feltham Young Offenders heading onto Wormwood Scrubs, Holloway, Pentonville, Belmarsh (reach via the Woolwich Ferry), going onto

Brixton, Wandsworth and finishing up at Latchmere House in Ham where we will have a small celebration. The whole ride is approximately 65 miles long and is supported by a back-up vehicle driven by another volunteer. Like Thomas’s ride, people can join and leave the ride at different stages. You can find the whole route that I did last year on www.bikely.com by typing the name of any London prison; the route this year will be more or less the same.

If you're interested, you can find out more about the ride at cycle@newbridgefoundation. org.uk. Register before 8 May, and you'll also receive an 'early bird' discount.

Ben Owen, Hanwell

BROTHERS & SISTERS Thank you for an informative and interesting publication.

However I noticed in the last issue mention of 'More of the bike fraternity…’ at the top of page 58.

You may not be aware, but 'fraternity' means 'brotherhood'

(from the Latin frater, meaning brother). Also as in fraternities at American colleges, which are all-male societies. The equivalent for women being sororities (from the Latin soror, meaning sister).

So it's both sexist and inaccurate as a way to describe the photos. The word you should be using is 'community'.

Diane Ridley, email

SEGREGATION NOW I was interested to read that your opposition to a cycling ban on the South Bank was, in part, down to 'multiple lanes of fast moving traffic' on Lambeth Palace Road (Letters, Feb-Mar 2011). Doesn't this describe almost all roads in central London, thanks to the absence of segregated cycle lanes?

Indeed, in reference to motorcyclists, you actively encourage segregation, as this is easier than changing behaviour (‘A Year in Cycling’, Feb-Mar 2011), but insist in the same article that HGV drivers can be taught safer driving techniques.

Corin Ashwell writes (London Cyclist, Feb-Mar 2011) that: "Only by creating a criticial mass of road-using cyclists will London be transformed into a properly cycle-friendly city."

This begs the question of what comes first: the chicken or the egg? So long as non-cyclists who would like to cycle see London's streets as too dangerous, we will never see a "critical mass of road-using cyclists". Motorists will never give up their feeling of superiority and allow us to share the road safely. Never.

The only way to go is for properly segregated cycle lanes to be installed wherever possible. In the Netherlands the number of people cycling was as low as in this country until they instituted a radical programme of making it safe for cyclists by building segregated lanes — and then, and only then, did cycling explode into an every day activity for the mass of people in that country.

As another correspondent says, "there is ample space for pedestrians and cyclists alike" on the South Bank. So why can they not put a cycle lane there? There is no excuse. It is yet another case of non-cyclists deciding what happens to us. And, as a result, increasing the amount of discord between cyclists and non-cyclists.

PJ Crittenden, E5

10 London Cyclist April-May 2011

NEW_010011_letters.FINAL.indd 10

22/03/2011 17:23

LCC replies: We agree that segregation makes sense where there are multiple lanes of fast-moving traffic, but there are hundreds, if not thousands of streets all over London that are one lane in each direction, which are less amenable to segregation. Measures to consider include strictly enforced child-friendly speed limits, much firmer punishments for dangerous motorists, and streets made access-only for cars, stopping motorists rat-running through residential areas. These are road-danger reduction measures used all over Europe, including in countries like Holland. However, where streets are multi-lane and intimidate normal people away from cycling, we say 'yes', build segregated cycle lanes. Lambeth Palace Road fits that description.

SOCK IT TO THEM Hello, it’s the infamous ‘Crazy Socks’ here! I'd like to thank Matt Garbutt for his letter in the last issue! It tickled me greatly. I'm a working London courier and I read your magazine whenever I find it — in fact I've now signed up for membership! I really enjoyed the article on bus drivers, especially the bit where the driver himself said that "couriers are excellent riders". And I thought everybody hated us!

I do my best to be a courteous cyclist despite sometimes having to get from, say, Baker Street to Bishopsgate in under 15 minutes. Yes, it’s doable but only just. I also took the ‘kamikaze’ comment as a

LOUD & PROUD: courier Greg Hall

compliment, as if my memory of schoolboy history lessons serves me correctly, then kamikaze means ‘divine wind’.

Don't be scared to say hello if you see me racing by or track-standing at the lights — I don't bite and I'm impossible to miss. When drivers swear they never saw me, I look down at what I'm wearing and tell them to go to Specsavers. Ride safe.

Greg ‘Crazy Socks’ Hall, email

ZOE’S COLUMN In her article about why the law does not reflect the fact that the strongest cyclist is weaker than the smallest car, Zoe Williams started off with such promise — but what a missed opportunity.

I could not believe her conclusion which was that cyclists should stop at red lights!

I am sure that there are other ways we could go about getting more protection from the law, and the motorist. I recently read a paper — ‘Making Cycling Irresistible: Lessons from The Netherland, Denmark and Germany’ — about the rise of

cycling levels in Holland, Germany and Denmark.

Apparently from 1950 to 1975 their cycling levels plummeted along with those of the UK, but from the mid-70s their levels massively increased due to government policy, and major investment in infrastructure.

Is there a campaign, or can we start one, to lobby for a change in the law, whereby the weakest and most vulnerable road user should be automatically protected from the stronger one? It's so obvious that if you are driving a ton of metal, you are morally responsible for any others who may happen to be in your way and if that happens you slow down or stop, not lean on your horn as seems to be the preferred course of action.

Sue Abel, Whitton

BEAKFAST WITH ZOE The BBC breakfast programme on 10 January was interesting — it featured London Cyclist columnist Zoe Williams and Adam Rayner, and was good to see the BBC devoting time to cyclists. Hopefully, there will be more opportunities for this.

However, when insurance for cyclists was mentioned what a shame the opportunity was missed of pointing out that several thousand of us do have third party insurance — because we are members of LCC. Also, and I don't want to be unkind to Adam Rayner, but the health benefits of cycling instead of merely driving were glaringly apparent. Just compare the trim figure of Zoe

with that of overweight Adam!

Andrew Hamm, email

TAVISTOCK TRAUMA As a regular user of the cycle route in Tavistock Place I was surprised to see no comment on the dangerous and counterintuitive design of the route in your report on changes there (News, Feb-Mar 2011 issue). The lane is two-way, i.e. cyclists travelling west are set against the flow of oncoming traffic on the wrong side of the road. At junctions where the protection of the lane is removed (at Cartwright Gardens, Woburn Place, Tavistock Square, Taviton Street and Gordon Street), drivers in both directions do not expect to have to look to their left (turning left) or behind them (turning right) for bikes — why would they? Pedestrians are also not expecting cyclists to approach on their side from the left.

I see near-misses almost daily and actual collisions frequently.

As an experienced cyclist, I refuse to use the lane westbound, but regularly face abuse from drivers who expect me to use it because it's there.

What is the LCC's position on this absurd piece of road design?

Dr. Mathias Disney, UCL

LCC replies: Unfortunately the narrow, poorly positioned cycle lanes in Torrington Place are typical of what UK planners think is acceptable. The works described in the last issue of London Cyclist do offer some improvement, but there's a lot more that needs to be done.

Read more online

If you can't wait for the next issue of London Cyclist magazine, you can find a large archive of this subversive cartoon strip (based in a Wisconsin cycle repair shop) by visiting www.yehudamoon.com

April-May 2011 London Cyclist 11

NEW_010011_letters.FINAL.indd 11

22/03/2011 17:20

p12.indd 12

15/03/2011 23:43

BEST RIDES IN LONDON

OPINION

Ashok Sinha Chief executive Ashok Sinha explains why a name change for the London Cycling Campaign will help us reach a bigger, broader audience

‘W

hat’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet’. Shakespeare was, of course, saying in affairs of the heart, love transcends lineage. Yet for campaigning organisations, names matter.

Less important than principles and actions, names create impressions in the minds of the potential new supporters who are the lifeblood of any cause.

‘London Cycling Campaign’ has long served our own organisation well — we do exactly what it says on the tin. Yet although the appeal of cycling has risen, our membership growth has been stubbornly low (despite many successes).

We need to find a better way to appeal to new recruits and through that amplify the impact of our campaigning.

It’s almost otiose to observe that we live in individualised times. From buying a cup of coffee to investing in a bicycle, people increasingly expect the product to be bespoke. They want their particularities recognised and gravitate to organisations and (social) networks with a human face. The deliberately institutional feel of ‘London Cycling Campaign’ has been a great asset over the decades. But it's now time to give our organisation a more organic, people-centric feel.

That’s why the Board of Trustees has come to the view that we should rename our organisation ‘London Cyclists’.

We are confident that this rename will broaden our public appeal. It will help us gain new recruits, build a stronger and even more representative voice for all who cycle in London, and widen the pool of people whom we can engage in pressing for the civilising effect of a widespread and deeply rooted cycling culture. In short ‘London Cyclists’ will, we believe, strengthen our campaigning.

2012: we make our voices heard But let’s be clear — and I now use the term I have been fastidiously circumventing — a ‘brand’ is much more than a name. Indeed in the mind of the public we will preponderantly be defined by what we actually do, rather than whatever we call ourselves. Which is why, in the run up to the London Mayoral and Assembly Elections in 2012, we’re planning to run the biggest and most popular campaign that we have possibly ever run. (And in tandem we are launching a new, refreshed, online policy handbook to make it clearer what we stand for — see page 16).

We’ll need as many of you as possible to participate in this campaign — and aim to inspire widespread support from the general public. The first step will be to identify an ambitious, propositional campaign theme — a measure which would have a truly transformative impact. I hope you will participate in the online membership consultation we

will soon be running to enable every one of our 11,000 members to have their say on what this theme should be.

On top of that, in a few weeks we will also be launching our new website. Much more vibrant, it will better bring to life the voices of the many Londoners who cycle for pleasure, transport or principles. It will feature interactive mapping to illuminate what members think is good, bad and ugly (or beautiful) in the London cycling experience, as well as facilitate debate and decision-making via discussion areas. In other words it will be a much-improved platform for campaigning, networking and airing your experiences.

“Our name will help us gain new recruits and build a stronger, more representative voice” And, having narrowly avoided seriously debilitating losses in funding due to the harsh external economic climate, we will address our acute need to build financial resilience (without which no campaigning could take place).

This means building membership income, as well as increasing revenue from sponsorship and services (where the name London Cyclists will be advantageous). We will also work harder with suppliers to provide improved benefits and products to our members (from rides to insurance).

So you can see that this effort to revitalise our organisation is much more than just a name change – it spans campaigning, policy, recruitment, services and member benefits. But we know that the rename will be viewed as the biggest step of all. That’s why roll-out of the name London Cyclists will not occur immediately, but is planned to take place from 1 May. Between now and then we welcome your views on the matter (see page 4).

Friends, we know that renaming something that is so close to all our hearts is a profound act. We understand LCC’s heritage, and recognise that some of you will need convincing that this is the right move. But let me underscore that the purpose of everything I have described is to better pursue our mission: the creation of a world class city through cycling.

Over the coming months and years I hope we will benefit from even more support from all of you in working for that goal and, indeed, from the support of all those new members, partners and funders we aim to recruit to London Cyclists.

April-May 2011 London Cyclist 13

NEW_013_ashok.FINAL.indd 13

22/03/2011 20:56

yttrium

chlorine

39

17

einstenium lanthanum

99

57

boron

5

C

Y

Cl

E

La

B

10.811

88.906 jallium

35.453 uranium

(252) iodine

138.91 cerium

10.811 boron

argon

J

U

l

Ce

B

Ar

69.723

238.03

126.90

140.12

10.811

39.948

57-70

31

&

92

53

58

5

18

The CycleLab

Kingsland Rd. Hoxton St. Old St.

Pitfield St.

St. Old

There is no elitism here!

We provide a comprehensive and above all friendly service no matter what or how you ride, if you’re a Commuter, Courier, BMX’er, MTB’er or Roadie, you’re welcome here! We understand the needs of the rapidly expanding cycling population and know that many riders are not familiar or comfortable with cycle technology or jargon. We are here to help...

From fixing punctures to pro-level road bike custom builds, we can do it.

St.

6

Gt Ea ste rn

carbon

d.

City R

City Rd.

SAME-DAY SERVICING | ‘GET TO WORK’ QUICK-FIXES | SAFETY CHECKS | GENERAL SERVICES | FULL SERVICES | UPGRADES | ADVICE

The JuiceBar - Now serving Square Mile Coffee We are proud to be one of only a handful of venues chosen to serve Square Mile Coffee.

A blend of pure Arabica beans sourced from Brazil, Columbia & Ethiopia, in line with their respective seasons, are hand roasted here in London and ground to order creating quite simply the best coffee in London.

Inspired by Brazilian juices & smoothies we’ve put together a few classic combinations or you can create your own to get your ‘5-a-day’. The perfect lunchtime pick-me-up, pre & post exercise kick, boost to your sex life or just a healthy breakfast.

ACAI JUICE | IMMUNE SYSTEM BOOSTER | BREAKFAST POWER SMOOTHIE | SIX PACK FAT BURNER | TRADITIONAL TROPICAL MIX | DAILY FRUIT SALAD | CLASSIC 50’S AMERICAN STYLE MILKSHAKES | TEA

monday

tuesday

wednesday

thursday

friday

saturday

6

6

6

8

6

4

pm

pm

7.30 pm

7.30 pm

7.30 pm

7.30 pm

7.30

10

CycleLab & JuiceBar | 18a Pitfield St. | London | N1 6EY | 0203 222 0016 | shop@cyclelab.co.uk | www.cyclelab.co.uk p14.indd 14

15/03/2011 23:44

OPINION

BEST RIDES IN LONDON

OPINION

Zoe Williams What is it about bikes that so readily helps conjure a national stereotype? Our regular columnist looks at the world on two wheels...

I

t’s a testament to the primacy of cycling in all our subconscious(es) that we have bike stereotypes for all nations, lodged in our minds. The way we think of any given country influences the way we think they cycle: the way we think they cycle shows us what we really think of them. Sometimes we are right: the Dutch genuinely do cycle with total confidence and fluency, so that it looks like they were born knowing how to do it. Sometimes we are wrong: the French do not, I believe, have to don a scarf made of onions before they are allowed onto a bicycle. And yet, the hit-and-miss nature of the clichés doesn’t put me off them: I don’t have a ready set of images of other modes of transport. I can’t picture a Norwegian driving a car, or a German on a horse. It’s more about bikes than it is about internaionalism: I have an immediate mental fix on an Italian cyclist, going up a mountain, because I love Italian bikes. It’s like being able to conjure up the spices in a pad thai: it just means you really like food. It doesn’t necessarily mean you know a lot about Thailand.

So, here, in a nutshell, is how abroad looks, on two wheels: the French go really slowly, it is partly the onions and partly the large and unnecessary basket at the front. If you wonder why the reality of French cycling — men in Lycra mankinis going incredibly fast up baffling mountains — doesn’t impinge on my imagination, it’s because whenever I see the reality, I take it, store it and I refile it under “Italy”.

In Germany, they like incredibly clunky mountain bikes, even for urban cycling, as if they want to keep their terrain options open whenever they set off (I don’t know where I got this from, but I was in Berlin for two days recently, and it turns out I am 100 percent right). In Holland, for all the easy facility of the riders, the bikes themselves look like students: bright, messy, fun, anarchic, a bit unsafe.

The world on bikes In America, there are no bikes, and if you do chance to cycle down a street, drivers wind down their windows as they pass, to ask you what on earth you think you’re doing, solicitous and appalled, like you’re trying to eat an ice-cream with a razor blade sticking out of it. Alarm bells are ringing, here (they’re calling out “Inaccuracy! Infamy!” in an American accent). That can’t be true, or else how would high school kids cycle to one another’s houses in films, and how would Lance Armstrong happen? But it feels atmospherically true. In Australia, it is too hot for a cycling stereotype, all I can see is a beer stereotype. In China, my cliché-vision is obscured by the image of thousands of people all cycling wearing the same hat, and I know for a

fact that I got that off a postcard. In Canada, they cycle everywhere they humanly can, except when it is too cold and icy, whereupon they go everywhere on ice-skates, like they’re in an Edith Wharton novel.

Have you noticed how, whenever you see a picture of cyclists in an affluent country, that image is a tacit nod to their evolution and sophistication? And yet, whenever you see a picture of cyclists in a developing country, that same image is meant to tell of the grinding poverty? And in an echo of the same dichotomy, when you see a picture of rich Europeans cycling, that’s meant to be the future, and when you see sub-Saharan Africans doing it, that’s meant to be the past? There’s a lot of context swilling about, in the visual significance of the bicycle. It’s not just two wheels and a hardy-looking person.

"The French do not, I believe, have to don a scarf of onions before they are allowed on a bicycle" I wonder, now, what people think of Britain as a bike nation. I would hate to think we were bundled into a broad, Anglo-Americanism, with our own too-wide, toointimidating road system, where cyclists were freaks and got heckled for their audacity. To be honest, I don’t think our roads are smart enough for people to think of us like that.

I can imagine our international reputation to be based on some kind of cross between Noddy and Dad’s Army, men in uniforms, ambling along on bicycles, going no faster than the walking pace of a cat, the living embodiment of benign authority and high cholesterol, calling out instructions about loitering from the superiority of their saddle. That’s the image I’d like to think we project, in our cycling culture: respectable, classless, stable, quite shiny and well-looked-after.

That’s never going to be it, though, is it? Most likely we’re pictured falling off a BMX, into mud. And we’re called The Clumsy Man of Europe, but we’ll never find out.

Zoe Williams is a freelance journalist and columnist who contributes regularly to publications including The Guardian and New Statesman.

April-May 2011 London Cyclist 15

015_zoe.FINAL.indd 15

22/03/2011 17:16

CAMPAIGN

Why we need policy definition to grow cycling As cycling numbers in the capital increase, Oliver Schick explains how a new policy document will help LCC's campaigning cause

I

we’re organised under a strict set of rules.) By policy, we mean what our position is on urban speed limits, on lorry driver training, or on motorbikes in bus lanes. In the face of an open-ended workload for the organisation’s staff and volunteers, it wasn’t felt that codifying policy was a pressing priority.

However, for decades LCC has consistently and expertly produced hundreds of consultation responses, with our policies (and sometimes even exact wordings) frequently entering the lexicon of national, regional and local government. Even without a codified

policy handbook, we’ve made our opinions count.

But London is changing and so are we. Cycling is a big story in London, and the growth of cycling here attracts headlines all over the world.

The Mayor of London is an advocate and funding for some of the larger cycling projects is being protected even in the face of drastic cuts in other areas.

As an organisation that has worked harder than any other to get London to this point, LCC is changing too. We’re much more ambitious in wanting to influence decision-makers more and accelerate cycling growth.

Photos: Tom Bogdanowicz

t’s an oft-quoted nugget of trivia that Britain is ‘the only country without a constitution’ (or some variation on these words). This isn’t true, of course: no democracy could function without a set of rules with which to govern itself. The UK has what political scientists call an ‘uncodified constitution’, one that’s been written down in many places by different hands and, in some areas, is defined by procedures that are entirely set by precedent..

In the past, LCC has chosen not to write down its policy in a single place.

(Note, we’re talking about policy here, not governance: as a charity,

SIGNS OF CHANGE: new cycling infrastructure in the West End, while (right) musicians mix it with cars, bikes and pedestrians in Columbia Road

16 London Cyclist April-May 2011

016019_policy.FINAL.indd 16

21/03/2011 21:13

April-May 2011 London Cyclist 17

016019_policy.FINAL.indd 17

21/03/2011 21:13

CAMPAIGN We think the Mayor’s current target for cycling growth (five percent of journeys by bike by 2026) is nowhere near challenging enough (we want 20 percent by 2025), and note that at present increases in cycling are largely limited to Inner London. We think so much more is possible.

However, in order for us to be able to say this with credibility, we have to tell a compelling story. And this is where we can draw on our experience and members’ local knowledge to formulate visionary ideas for London.

It falls to us to lead on formulating strategies to take cycling in London to the next level.

Formalising our positions All of this requires a stable knowledge base that’s accessible to all and enables people to understand what groundbreaking initiatives we campaign for. This is why we are formalising our policies and publishing them on our new website for everyone to see (News, page 4).

This policy expression will not only be very useful to new and existing activists in articulating our vision to the wider public, but we will also be working hard to advocate these ideas so that they become public policy.

FLYOVER AND FAST TRAFFIC: create substantial barriers to cycling

Most policy will be a distillation of the hundreds of consultation responses that we have submitted over the years: on road danger reduction, theft, congestion charging, air quality, and so on. And there’s a wealth of other experience with which we can work, most particularly from the hundreds of dedicated activists in our local groups. We’ll also be keen for members to comment on the policy via the new website, and we envisage this being a living set of policies that thrives and moves with the the times in a way that a paper policy handbook never could.

So from the beginning of May, LCC will not only enjoy a robust set of values, but these will be clearly articulated and readily available to members, who will be encouraged to engage with those ideas. Much of this will go right to the heart of transport planning, seeking to guide the capital towards a better future for everyone.

Indeed, it goes far beyond the tenure of any one Mayor of London because this city is like a supertanker; it’s something that takes a long time to turn around. However, each increment of the turn is also tremendously exciting, providing concrete progress towards such an ambitious project.

SAMPLE POLICY 1: Reducing the need to travel We start by thinking about where journeys begin (eg, at home), where they take place (ie, our streets), and where they end (eg, at work). Why are there so many jobs concentrated in so few locations? The fewer possible destinations there are for people travelling, the more their need to travel will be increased. There is an imbalance of origins and destinations of trips.

Every place where cycling levels are high has much shorter average trip lengths than London. London has a much over-developed centre, and many people travel more than 10 miles (mostly by train) to get to work in the morning and back again in the evening. While some people will happily seize the chance of staying fit through a 20-mile round trip by bike every day, most people won’t do this.

For long trips like this, cycling loses out against the motorised modes of transport, whether public transport or private car.

Therefore, it doesn’t make sense to simply campaign indefinitely to have more of these long motorised trips into the centre replaced by cycling and walking. There is relative success in converting some of these

18 London Cyclist April-May 2011

016019_policy.FINAL.indd 18

21/03/2011 21:13

GREEN AND PLEASANT: a network of safe car-free routes across the city would encourage new cyclists

the local offering of services, and to improve trip patterns; otherwise levels of transport investment, in particular in public transport, will become unsustainable.

at the moment because we’re starting from such a low cycling base, but this growth won’t last forever. It is, therefore, very important to reduce the length of trips that people have to take in London.

We need to plan for the next stage of influencing London, and this will need to tackle those much more important factors of where trips begin and where they end. If people can work more locally to where they live, all the evidence shows that they will cycle and walk more. Not at all coincidentally, this will also have considerable social benefits which we currently don’t enjoy owing to the need to travel so far in London every day.

As a reality check, it is necessary to state clearly that we’re not proposing to fundamentally change the character of central London as a unique and exciting international centre. Likewise, long rides through London can be wonderfully enjoyable, and we’re not saying that has suddenly changed. We’re only talking about the everyday practicability of over-centralising London more and more. At a time of a continually rising population in London, we argue that other centres need to be promoted more to improve

SAMPLE POLICY 2: Primacy of place over transport We live in an age of hypermobility, where people spend inordinate amounts of time in transit. Apart from over-centralisation of central London, this is also caused by American-style developments in the outer suburbs. Out of town shopping centres, far away from where people live, are often made quite inaccessible on foot or by bike. Many of today’s new urban locations don’t feel like proper places: places where one wants to linger or to meet or make friends. We need good-quality public spaces as part of activity centres that have this quality. LCC says that the quality of place is more important than the transport function that a location facilitates. We need to make places.

London’s natural shape has been heavily distorted during the 20th century, and there’s a large backlog of design shortcomings. In some places, poor design makes it impossible to attract activity other than traffic congestion or breathing in fumes.

LCC says this needs to be counteracted by place-led design: putting the needs of locations as places first, before we come to what we say is the secondary consideration: through traffic — ie, how much we can push through a

location. This means that if a place needs a wider footway to enable a café to put out tables, then the street should have fewer carriageway lanes.

This wouldn’t lead to more traffic congestion (as today’s transport planners slavishly contend) because there are better modes of transport for the huge number of car trips made currently that are under two miles.

It’s estimated that these local journeys — made without a heavy load, without passengers, and nothing to do with mobility difficulties — make up as many as 50 percent of car trips in Greater London.

We also want to return streets to their natural character: London’s historic streets are, for the most part, very walkable or cycleable. It’s largely through motor traffic, rat-running for instance, that creates a problem. We want to change the fact that people’s fear of road danger starts on their doorsteps. We want through motor traffic to be addressed on a systematic basis by making residential areas access-only for motor traffic, but still fully permeable for people cycling and walking.

These two policies are examples of how LCC wants politicians to tackle problems at their root. And we’ll continue to advance the case for making London a world-class city through cycling.

We hope that many LCC members will participate in drawing up more policy and that this will inspire us to take greater actions to support something in which we all believe.

April-May 2011 London Cyclist 19

016019_policy.FINAL.indd 19

21/03/2011 21:14

p21.indd 20

15/03/2011 23:46

p21.indd 21

15/03/2011 23:46

CAMPAIGN

How to make friends and influence planning…

Under the guidance of Barry Mason, Southwark Cyclists has enjoyed great success in influencing planning and decision-making in recent times, so we sent Alex Crawford to find out about the work that went into getting there

S

outhwark Cyclists has been hugely successful in recent years, instigating, influencing and helping with decisionmaking on a wide range of projects.

At the helm of much of this has been Barry Mason, the group’s passionate, energetic, knowledgeable and, some might say omnipresent, coordinator who thinks it’s “no bad thing that most of these projects are long-term rather than quick fixes”.

So how did some of these successes come about? How did he and fellow Southwark Cyclists achieve them? And what sort of work went into getting to that stage?

When asked to describe a few

specific local successes they have had in influencing planning in Southwark, Mason could cite many. At the top of the list is the way the group’s successfully tapped in to Southwark’s project bank, securing over £1.5 million of new funding for cycle and disability access improvements in Bermondsey and Rotherhithe.

There’s also a long list of projects in the pipeline including: ■ Various and ongoing improvements to the Thames Path, such as getting the path built around Rotherhithe Tunnel ventilation shaft.

Mason says: “The Thames path is a great thing but it’s not 100 percent finished and this is another 100

metres of Southwark that is being improved.”

■ South Bermondsey’s foot and cycle bridge scheme is another achievement. The disused railway bridge is at last being opened up to pedestrians and cyclists. “We thought of this and started the campaign back in 1999 — now it’s finally happening,” says Mason.

■ Southwark Cyclists have done much to increase awareness of the issues faced by people in flats and offices. “We have helped get the issue of planning for cyclists on the radar," says Mason. “On several occasions planners have asked for well over the minimum number of bike racks in

22 London Cyclist April-May 2011

NEWNEW_022024_planning.FINAL.indd 22

22/03/2011 17:22

Setting new milestones As for his personal highlight: “I’m proudest of our success with the London Festival of Architecture. Six years ago I phoned up Peter Murray, founder of the Architecture Biennale as it was then called (and who cycles to work) and suggested they should really do some bike rides. We did ten rides that year and now cycling is central the festival. We help them organise and lead over 20 rides each

MAN WITH A PLAN: Barry Mason on the Thames Path at Rotherhithe, rebuilt after lobbying by Southwark Cyclists

Don't give up the fight It’s not just the councillors and officers you need to forge relations with. “More importantly perhaps, it’s about keeping in touch with the politicians. Not harassing them or being grumpy but engaging with them, being positive and being their friends. To ensure you stay in with the lead politicians you need to be able to switch your attention to different parties as and when they’re elected. Never get too party political.

Also reach out to your Greater Local Authority members such as Val Shawcross and Jenny Jones."

Until recently, Barry and other members of the group were commenting on every single medium to large planning application in Southwark. This involved firing off dozens of emails every week about all applications of, say, more than 30 employees, or ten flats. “It’s hard to keep this up though as it requires time and superb organisation.

Something is better than nothing though and it’s the drip, drip, drip of feedback and pressure that gets the planners going, and also developers who, like the councillors, now ring us

up and say ‘we understand you have thoughts on this, what can we do to improve?'"

How about Community Councils, which were for many years hostile to cyclists? After many years of going along to his local meetings and standing there time after time defending cyclists, Mason recognises there has definitely been a shift in attitude: “By working together with other local groups, the anti-cycling element has gone from these meetings. Instead there is the wonderful alliance we’ve got with Southwark Living Streets which is probably the best walking and cycling alliance in London.”

Southwark Cyclists has formed very successful working relationships with other leading local groups, such as the local Green parties, The People's Republic of Southwark, Friends of the Earth and Sustrans, all of whom are "natural allies which add to our clout.”

Photos: Mike Cavenett

council blocks, although not routinely. In a recent meeting we organised with Cllr Barrie Hargrove and Barbara Selby, I think we edged a bit more towards getting routinely much better cycle provision in more blocks of flats." Mason is very keen to improve this as it’s a major problem at the moment.

■ Southwark Cyclists helped create On Your Bike’s bike park (one of the first in London) and the marvellous Reinventing the Bike exhibition which drew hundreds of visitors and much media interest.

■ Southwark Cyclists secured the long overdue contraflows on Bermondsey Street.

■ Closer to home, Mason set up a successful bike project with a fleet of bikes at Surrey Docks Farm.

summer which are fun, informative and unique.”

You only need to look at the campiagns page of Southwark Cyclists’ website to see just how many other responses they have given the council on a wide range of subjects too, from cycling to school, cycle to work schemes, bikes on trains and more.

When asked how he goes about targeting particular decision-makers, Mason emphasises again that this is a long-term feat. “By doing the grunt work, operating at grass roots level, playing ‘good cop, bad cop’ and constantly emailing, giving feedback and meeting the decision-makers in person — that’s how you target successfully. We’ve got good relations with 20-30 of the better officers headed up by Barbara Selby — there’s no cycling officer any more of course.”

So it seems to be a question of knowing which officers to contact and which buttons to press on which topics. Some of these people do cycle and, as Mason points out: “Some of them don’t forget during the day that they’ve cycled to work! Find these people and get to know them. Over time you will make an impression.

Now they call us up to ask for our opinions. We are invited on to committees because we aren’t just whinging cyclists — we are helpful and constructive critics.”

Finding the decision-makers Being visible to, and liaising with, the decision-makers is one thing but how does Southwark Cyclists actually get its messages across and get taken seriously at senior planning level? A website is key to any organisation these days and the group has had an informative and active one for a while, as well as a lively e-group. It is, however, about to launch an even more sophisticated site, and with it a comprehensive, strategic digital strategy which includes e-newsletters, social media convergence, crowdsourcing and tools to make it easier for all members to read and comment on local planning applications.

New technology aside, Mason is keen to point out that Southwark Cyclists has always produced “rock solid, cleverly executed, carefully thought through documents, which put our ideas, suggestions and positions across succinctly.” These are developed democratically as much as possible and often involve them going out and doing audits of targeted areas. The group’s current Action Plan and Vision Document (both of which can be found on the website) are two examples of what they are doing right now and exemplify the sorts of feedback planners appear to take seriously. “Councillors appreciate those and, as they said at our recent meeting, they can learn from them.”

Of course, it helps to be able to say they represent at least 900 cyclists in Southwark too.

Media is also really important in

April-May 2011 London Cyclist 23

NEWNEW_022024_planning.FINAL.indd 23

22/03/2011 17:22

decision-making. He credits the whole group: “We have strength in depth, strength in the broadness of what we do.” This includes their bike maintenance courses, Dunwich Dynamo, Southwark Healthy Rides, Christmas Day ride, Midsummer Madness, LFA rides, partnerships with Burgess Park Bike Track, On Your Bike and Bermondsey Street Festival.

“We are diverse in our ages, interests and ambitions for cycling.

We have vocal, knowledgeable, highly experienced people such as Alastair Hanton, Jeremy Leach, Ann Warren and Colin Hartridge-Price.

We do things quite professionally and we are a group that wants to have fun as well as get very serious when we need to. Our meetings often have interesting speakers, are fast paced, well chaired, well minuted and never go over time. And this is why we have a really good record of delivering things.”

getting messages across. Mason says: “We get into the really influential Southwark News, a lot. They always publish my letters and they have a large readership including council leaders and officers themselves. We have other members who are constantly writing letters to them and to other media channels, keeping the pressure on, raising awareness.”

Above all, Mason reckons that the single most effective technique he applies in order to get things done is to “email the right people at the right time — so when a draft plan or application comes in, don’t sit on it — let it be known that your group has read it and wants to give feedback.”

Keep pressing the buttons It’s not all plain sailing of course.

There will be challenges and obstacles in achieving your group’s goals and Mason concedes that it can at times be a frustrating process, especially with the bureaucracy and when people just don’t respond you to emails and calls. “You must keep on trying, you follow up and you escalate. And don’t think that by emailing just one cycling officer anything will necessarily happen.

You need to contact as many of the

right people as possible. Remember that ten years for a council or Sustrans is not very long for them, though I’m no good at long waits.”

What does Mason say to those who are less experienced in dealing with local authorities? Can they still make an impact? “It’s useful that I worked at Southwark Council for a while, but this is not essential.

Anyone can learn about the ins and outs. There are people there who really do want to help so you just need to get to know them. Build up a great information network. Too many borough groups simply email the local cycling officer or councillor — not the local planner who’s looking after their bit of London, or planner who's negotiating the planning application for a site such as the Shard. Always go round — don’t go through. Don’t be suckered in!”

There are obviously lots of local cycling groups in London. Some stand out as more active than others, some are more political and there are those more focussed on social activities.

Talking to Barry, whose energy, sharp wit and boldness is infectious, it becomes clear why Southwark Cyclists is one of the more effective LCC groups with regards to affecting

POINTING THE WAY: thanks to campaigners, considerate cycling is the norm in Southwark parks

Don’t be daunted Perhaps all this experience and activity is a bit daunting for other, less equipped groups. Mason reiterates his belief that in order for groups to be good at anything, from rides to forging better relationships with decision-makers, to becoming more influential, it’s got to be fun. "If it feels like it’s hard work or boring then you’ve got it all wrong. Maintain the enthusiasm and always be open and inclusive. It’s no good trying to emulate Southwark Cyclists as each group is different. They need to decide what they’re good at and play to their own strengths. After all, you can’t make people do things they don’t want to do.”

Every group, including Southwark Cyclists has areas it can improve on.

Mason is really pleased with some recent and significant changes: ”More members like Alex (who is spearheading several projects, including the new website and e-newsletters) are taking an active role. And that’s really great. I’m not good at delegating but I am delighted that it’s happening.”

And finally, with so much on his plate, what does he get out of all this work on a personal level?

“I like achieving things. I love the fact that we make things happen and make a difference. But there is always more to be done. Our main priority at the moment is to get Southwark Council on message. Plus there are scary messages about cars coming from the government — we really need to be ready to respond.”

24 London Cyclist April-May 2011

NEWNEW_022024_planning.FINAL.indd 24

22/03/2011 17:22

p25.indd 25

15/03/2011 23:47

CAMPAIGN

Driving a lorry safely Campaigns officer Charlie Lloyd, a former HGV driver, explains how large lorries

T

his article explains what steps a lorry driver should take at every junction to ensure cyclists in their vicinity are safe. The diagrams highlight behaviour necessary at (i) junctions with traffic lights and (ii) junctions without.

What's being asked isn't simple, but cyclists and other vulnerable road users have a right to expect this level of skill from every professional driver.

Drivers need to be constantly aware of their road position in relation to nearby cyclists and pedestrians, and to realise that when a lorry slows down to turn, cyclists (through no fault of their own) are liable to catch up and be put in the risk zone.

Better driver training is an important strand of LCC’s No More Lethal Lorries campaign, which aims to reduce the

3

proportion of fatal crashes in Greater London that involve lorries. We're asking for the best safety equipment on all lorries and the best drivers behind the wheel. Cycle crashes involving lorries are relatively rare, but the consequences are often deadly.

We acknowledge that education is needed to make sure every cyclist knows they must keep away from the front nearside of lorries. If a lorry did a left turn across your path, it would be like having a 30-tonne door slammed in your face.

However, lorry drivers operate potentially deadly pieces of equipment in a crowded environment, and so their responsibilities are many orders of magnitude higher than those of other road users.

■ Sign the petition at www. no-more-lethal-lorries.org.uk

LORRY IS ABOUT TO MOVE

DO consider if there are any cyclists or walkers that could be hidden from your view.

DO check your forward-facing mirror for people close in front of the lorry, or if your lorry doesn’t have this mirror, lean forward so you can see the area directly.

DON’T forget the front-left of your lorry is where cyclists and pedestrians are most vulnerable.

1

APPROACHING A JUNCTION

DO remember you’re driving on London streets, where there are more cyclists and walkers than anywhere else.

DO always use your indicators to tell other road users whenever you’re going to turn.

DON’T cross the Advanced Stop Line into the bike box because this will increase danger for cyclists and walkers.

4

MOVING OFF

DO start slowly enough for cyclists to pull away ahead of you if necessary.

DO check and check again in your left-hand mirrors before swinging left around the corner, looking for cyclists undertaking.

DON’T forget that cyclists and pedestrians might not realise that a lorry driving well over to the right could be turning left.

26 London Cyclist April-May 2011

026027_HGV.FINAL.indd 26

22/03/2011 20:44

on London's streets can be manoeuvred in urban streets to best protect cyclists and pedestrians At junctions without traffic lights

2

WAITING AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS

DO be looking for, and thinking about, vulnerable road users the whole time you’re at the junction.

DO stay alert and use your peripheral vision to see any movements in your mirrors that might be a cyclist.

DON’T forget that some cyclists don’t know that undertaking a lorry at traffic lights can be risky.

5

AS YOU TURN THE LORRY LEFT

DO drive slowly enough to check your mirrors continually before your lorry swings over to the left.

DO look for the cyclists on your left who think you’re going straight ahead.

DON’T forget pedestrians might step out onto a side road at any time.

A

APPROACHING AN UNSIGNALLED JUNCTION

DO use your indicators to show your intention to turn.

DO slow down before you reach the junction and remember that the act of turning will reduce your speed much more than you might realise.

DON’T overtake a cyclist immediately before a turn because a cyclist travelling at constant speed will catch you up.

B

AS YOU TURN THE LORRY LEFT

DO reduce your speed enough so you have plenty of time to check your mirrors several times before your lorry swings to the left.

DO be looking for cyclists travelling at constant speed who might not realise you’re turning.

DON’T forget that pedestrians might step out onto a side road at any time.

April-May 2011 London Cyclist 27

026027_HGV.FINAL.indd 27

22/03/2011 20:44

CAMPAIGN

Help us Double the Voice As we reach the start of the peak cycling season, LCC asks for more members

Mariella Frostrup supports LCC’s Double Our Voice campaign “Thanks to LCC members there have been hundreds of new sign-ups this year. This is great news, it’s really important for LCC to get more cyclists on board ahead of a busy year of campaigning. LCC’s campaigning mission continues, with still much work to do to make London streets better for cyclists. It is really important for LCC to increase its membership — so please help by recruiting any cycling friends, colleagues or relatives.”

28 London Cyclist April-May 2011

NEW_028029_DOV.FINAL.indd 28

20/03/2011 21:35

of London Cyclists and groups to sign up their friends and families

I

n 2011 London Cycling Campaign will be focusing its attention on preventing bike theft, developing exciting additions to the CycleParking4London website and organising many more activities for the No More Lethal Lorries campaign.

LCC needs more members to help raise the profile of these campaigns.

SIGN UP A MEMBER TODAY Make signing up a friend, family member or colleague to LCC your number one priority. Your support will give LCC the chance to improve conditions for cyclists this year.

Simply follow one of these steps: 1) Visit the website — www.lcc.org. uk/membership 2) Phone 020 7234 9310 and ask for membership 3) Freepost — LCC membership leaflet which you can find in most bike shops or download it from our website (www.lcc.org.uk/membership) Remember to tell them about the great benefits they will receive when they sign up: ■ Discounts in 100s of bike shops ■ Free insurance and legal advice ■ Free cycling news ■ Support our campaigning ■ Rides and socials

Don’t forget you can sign up friends, relatives and work colleagues. With more members we can make more positive changes for cyclists.

Here are just some of the recent things LCC has been doing to make London better for cyclists: ■ BLACKFRIARS BRIDGE New road layout plans are failing to address safety for cyclists. LCC has been campaigning for a review on these plans, TfL has agreed to do this.

■ BIKE THEFT Thanks to years of campaigning, the police are taking bike theft much more seriously and there have been clamp downs on hot spots selling stolen bikes.

■ SOUTH BANK LCC opposed a blanket ban on

WIN VIP BIKE SERVICING

cycling on the South Bank. There is now a 'considerate cycling' welcome sign in place instead.

Sign up a member and you could both win a twice yearly FREE VIP service on your bike worth £250, courtesy of Cycle Surgery.

■ CYCLEPARKING4LONDON WEBSITE Local councils and TfL are keen to partner with LCC to develop this website and enable better parking facilities where Londoners really need it.

■ NO MORE LETHAL LORRIES 'DAY OF ACTION' LCC encouraged thousands of Londoners to push for lorry drivers to have cycling training.

With more members LCC will have more leverage to make more changes for safer streets for cyclists. Sign up a member today to help us double the voice of cyclists.

April-May 2011 London Cyclist 29

NEW_028029_DOV.FINAL.indd 29

20/03/2011 21:35

Colin Wing, co-ordinator of Westminster Cyclists, guides us on a loop around some lesser-known places of interest just south of the Thames es

Ald

O

o Rd

2 DOWNING’S ROADS MOORINGS

Dr ui y S dS t t

Jam aica Rd

t Abbey S

BERMONDSEY

BRUNEL MUSEUM

St

ELEPHANT AND CASTLE

CLEAVER SQUARE

o n Way

Brunswick Park Myatts i ld

CAMBERWELL

DOWNING’S ROAD MOORINGS

Stoney Street, Winchester Walk and Montague Close, passing under London Bridge.

Can best be seen from Bermondsey Wall West, at the end of Mill Street.

These historic moorings date back 200 years or more.

Gardens have been created on the decks of many of the barges to form an ‘inside out’ floating garden square.

Residents have successfully resisted several attempts to expel them. The gardens of Jacob’s

w Ne

Rd

he Rot

Par kR d P

Rd

2

CLINK STREET

ha m tp

Peck ham

Brixton Rd

Rd

Cla ph am

1

Rd ny Alba

So u

e th

Old Ke nt Rd

Burgess Park

St Hill ham eck

Mostyn Gardens

BURGESS PARK 6

t

roads.

NEARBY STATIONS Waterloo, London Bridge, Rotherhithe

Ca mb er we ll N ew

Camberwell Rd

Kennington Park

d

rh i

n ingto n R

ADDINGTON SQUARE

Southwar Park

Paterson Park

WALWORTH

d

spaces;VAUXHALL cycle lanes on busier

Southwark R Rd

t Albert Emb ankm en

K

en

KENNINGTON

ent Rd

Rd

LAMBETH

Gra ng e

Rd

a nk

The Hwy

ld mit h fie

er w Lo

r ve Do at G re

Lon gL an e

d rth R lwo Wa

Mil lb

ES

ole To

t ey S onds Berm

lo er at W

on Uni St

New K

STOCKWELL

Narrow, dark and cobbled, this street was the location of the notorious Clink Prison. The prison was burned down in riots during 1780 and a small museum and tourist attraction now occupy part of the site.

Nearby you can see part of the great hall of Winchester Palace, built in the early 13th century as the London house of the Bishops of Winchester, as well as a replica of Sir Francis Drake’s ship, the Golden Hinde. You can also visit Southwark Cathedral and Borough Market.

The route continues via

Lowe r Thame s St

1 CLINK STREET START/FINISH

St rd fo m a St

th Rd u th La mbe

START rear of County Hall LENGTH 23.5km (14.5 miles) TIME 3 hours TERRAIN easy; mostly quiet streets and paths through open

www.bik WHITECHAPEL http:// maps/bike-path/ Docks-and-Ducks

Upper Tha me s St

nd ra St

So

FACTFILE

MAP AD DOWNLO ely.com/

Che apside

ych w

St Abing don

n this ride you can see how nature has taken over parts of the former Surrey Docks, to the south of the Thames.

Although known for its major commercial and residential developments, this area also has a number of significant nature reserves. Warehouses, bridges and dock fittings will remind you of the area’s past life as a thriving port.

Much of the ride follows routes 4 (eastbound), 2 and 22 (westbound) of the London Cycle Network. These routes generally go through quieter, characterful streets — short stretches of which are cobbled — or along hard-surfaced paths through the open spaces.

This circular ride starts in Belvedere Road at the rear of County Hall but can conveniently be joined from Waterloo, London Bridge or Rotherhithe station.

It is best followed in a clockwise direction.

Du nt on

BEST RIDES IN LONDON

Docks and Ducks

PECKHAM Brimmington Park

am Rd P eckh

B Quee

Island, across the road, have been planted with marshy plants, appropriate to what was once a marshy location.

30 London Cyclist April-May 2011

030031_ride.FINAL.indd 30

Ne w

14/03/2011 23:53

d

6

BURGESS PARK was

created by demolishing numerous houses, streets, churches and factories, including R. White’s famous lemonade factory, and filling in the disused Grand Surrey Canal.

This process began after WW2 and continued until 1995.

FOOD & DRINK

Among the few remaining buildings are the kiln of the canalside lime works and the early 19th-century almshouses at Chumleigh Gardens, now council offices and a café.

In the world of cycling, Burgess Park is best known for its BMX track.

4 LAVENDER POND NATURE PARK

STAVE HILL 3 Salter Rd

Rotherh ithe Tunnel

■ Southwark Park Café (020 7064 8115).

■ Surrey Docks Farm (020 7231 1010).

■ Burgess Park Café 3 Chumleigh Street, SE5 (020 7252 6556).

USEUM

5

DEPTFORD STRAND

ROTHERHITHE er w Lo

RUSSIA DOCK WOODLAND

Rd

Redr i ff

uthwark Park

Way ugh Plo

DEPTFORD 5 STRAND

Rd

W

w

SURREY DOCKS FARM

Rd

The pair of large brick buildings were once the rum warehouses of the Royal Naval Victualling Yard, built in the 1780s. Since their closure in 1961, they have been converted to other uses, including housing, offices, a community resources

centre and a café. As Secretary to the Admiralty, Samuel Pepys was a regular visitor to the dockyard a little further downstream and is commemorated in the nearby Pepys Park and Pepys Estate. Peter the Great also worked there briefly for four months.

Rd ley’s nd Tru

Deptford Park Ev el yn

St

DEPTFO M ward Ed

st

Ne w

Cr os sR d

NEW CROSS

St son Bes

d

3

STAVE HILL

is an artificial hill, created from spoil when the docks were filled in in 1985-9. From the top there are fine views and at the summit is a bronze map of the docks by Michael Rizzello (1986).

The hill overlooks a nature reserve created by the Trust for Urban Ecology, which was planted with saplings in 1987.

The hill can be reached via Timber Pond Road and Dock Hill Avenue.

POINTS OF INTEREST 1. Manor House of Edward III: This important vestige of Rotherhithe’s heritage was excavated in 1985 and shown to have comprised two courtyards surrounded by a moat.

2. Brunel Museum: This is on the site of the only project both Marc and Isambard Kingdom Brunel worked on together, the Thames Tunnel. The museum’s building contained the steam engines used to keep pumping the Thames Tunnel dry of water.

3. Russia Dock Woodland was created by Southwark Council in 1980 from the former dock basin, which closed in 1969. Originally it was used for importing timber from Norway, Russia and Sweden.

4. Surrey Docks Farm: A unique learning centre with animals including goats, sheep, cattle, pigs, ducks, geese, chickens, turkeys, bees and donkeys, plus horticultural areas. Fresh produce is on sale to the public.

5. Addington Square, completed by 1855 and named after Henry Addington, Prime Minister from 1801 to 1804.

6. Cleaver Square: The first square developed south of the Thames, completed in the 1850s.

4

LAVENDER POND NATURE PARK

was created in 1981 and designated a local nature reserve in 2005. Covering 2.5 acres in total, the park’s main feature is the pond.

Boardwalks allow access through extensive stands of reed, a colourful marsh area and on to a woodland shelter belt. Created on the site of an old timber pond, the original dock walls and locks remain. The old Lavender Dock

Pump House has been refurbished to house the Rotherhithe Heritage Museum. It is also used as an environmental study centre for visitors, families and schoolchildren.

April-May 2011 London Cyclist 31

030031_ride.FINAL.indd 31

14/03/2011 23:53

CAMPAIGN 32 London Cyclist February-March 2011

032034_recycling.FINAL.indd 32

21/03/2011 00:03

Turning old bikes into new rides With the number of bike recycling projects booming, Philip Moore meets the man behind the London Bike Hub

R

ethinking waste is a major conceptual and logistical challenge for the human species. As the three ‘Rs’ of the waste mantra would have it: reduce, reuse and recycle. The bicycle as a simple machine beautifully encapsulates this triple-pronged ethos.

From the non-profit youthengaged projects, to charities and conventional businesses, bike recycling is big bucks and can be seen in the healthy growth in bike recycling projects across the city.

And it’s not just the social aspect of bike recycling that is commanding an increasing appeal. It’s also central to transport issues. With oil prices rising to $120 (£75) a barrel — and set to climb — many commentators have called for this as an opportunity for the UK to radically rethink its energy sources.

Currently we import eight percent of our oil, but that’s set to change to 50 percent in 2020.

Now, more than ever, issues of transport are once again at the forefront of political debate. For many Londoners getting around our city isn’t fossil-fuelled and the energy from the growth in bike recycling projects is testament to the sort of vigour and bike-related buzz teeming in this great city.

Photos: David Routledge

Leading the way Meet David Eales of the London Bike Hub, a community bike project that goes beyond the bike. After a successful bid, the project began in early 2010 with funding from the LCC-administered Community Cycling Fund for London (CCFfL).

Identifying a growing need for formal bicycle lessons as well as workshops, the London Bike Hub wanted to change its approach. Seen more often than not as a ‘free’ bike shop — and feeling increasingly limited by the Dr Bike sessions they were running – they decided to do something a little different.

Now, we all now that cycling is good for you. David’s entry into cycling around London was on the advice of his doctor. After complaints about his back, the doctor suggested he hop on a bike.

He explains: “Originally sticking to the towpaths around Ealing I progressed on to more adventurous routes and promised I’d commute one day into London before I hit a certain birthday.

“Upon realising I didn’t die on the 10-mile commute and in fact really rather liked it — and compounded by the fact that every time I cycled I saved £7 fares and a good deal more in beer I wasn’t buying — I soon started commuting nearly every day.”

David was hooked. Soon enough he joined the London Cycling Campaign. An active volunteer he got involved in Bike Week and later in lobbying with his local LCC group in Ealing. Enthused by the power given to him by cycling he started to apply for grants for a variety of projects. Schemes included loaning equipment (childseats and trailer) to families to provide confidence training for people who want to try cycling with their children; youth projects on housing estates running bike re-spraying, and art projects and ‘earn-a-bike’ schemes.

June-July 2010 April-May 2011 London Cyclist 3333

032034_recycling.FINAL.indd 33

21/03/2011 00:03

RECYCLING

Trying new things The string of successful bids helped David realise the growing need for formal bicycle maintenance lessons, as well a community workshop, and so the London Bike Hub was born.

He says: “A key ethos of the London Bike Hub is recycling, we strive to consign as little as possible to landfill and now we have storage space we can accept bikes of varying quality in order to restore them to a usable condition. We want to get decent recycled bikes into the community by all means possible.”

David’s passion for bikes is clear.

Bike recycling in London is a growing mini industry in its own right.

“Cycling is high on the agenda everywhere you look,” adds Eales.

“People are finally seeing cycling as normal means of transport and perhaps should dip a toe into the water, and rather than buying a brand new bike see if a second-hand one would suit them.”

For many, the humble bicycle is simply a way of getting from one to place to another as quickly as possible. Especially in the London commute mode where it’s head

down and everyone out for themselves. But the bike isn’t just a means of transport.

As David says, it’s also a vehicle of discovery: “I do at times see cycling as only a means of transport, perfect for most journeys around London.

We’re certainly not anti-car but very much pro-bike! However on many occasions throughout the day as an instructor or teacher of bike maintenance I am reminded that a bike can be such a life-changing object, being able to go somewhere easily and cheaply without using a car or public transport.

"Getting people to find new places that they never knew existed before cycling, either by giving them confidence to commute or taking them on a social ride one Sunday to a part of London hitherto unknown.”

Hidden benefits of recycling A focus of activity, the London Bike Hub is involved in many projects.

From leading 300 people into London on SkyRides, to running maintenance lessons on housing estates and community groups such as cub scouts and schools, one of the key aspects of

the venture is bringing the bike to the centre of people’s activities.

And it doesn’t just stop there.

Plans are afoot for further projects such as more detailed and in-depth full weekend maintenance course, expanding the recycling of bikes for resale as well as re-use of parts in art projects, eg making tyre belts, jewellery, as well as more large-scale items such as fencing and sculptures. They also want to run some more off-the-wall workshops such as repeating their pedal-powered generator day and film sessions.

With the emergence of bike recycling schemes, those inspired to do something similar are advised to thoroughly research the subject before throwing themselves into it.

As David says: “Check out the many other projects around London and see how they run workshops as they range from informal drop ins, workers co-ops, to full-scale projects linked to larger projects.

We’re very happy to entertain visitors and share knowledge, from starting trade accounts to advice on working with children.”

OTHER RECYCLING PROJECTS IN LONDON ■ Recycle-a-Bike, Hillingdon www.recycleabike.co.uk From repair and servicing to second-hand sales, the dedicated team will soon be offering bicycle maintenance classes.

Contact: 07985 484184; contactus@recycleabike.co.uk ■ Squeaky Chains, Southwark http://squeakychains.blogspot.com A community centred organisation delivering free bike maintenance workshops to young people and the homeless.

Contact: squeakychains@gmail.com; 020 7902 7974.

■ 56a Bikeshop, Southwark http://www.56a.org.uk/bikeshop.html Based on the principles of DIT (Do It Together), service your bike under the guidance of patient (and tooled up) volunteers.

Contact: bicycleballet@yahoo.co.uk ■ Waltham Forest Bike Recycling Scheme www.bikerecycle.org A council-run bike recycling scheme. As well as bike sales and stripping second-hand bikes, it runs structured volunteer days where they'll take you through workshop basics.

Contact: 07948 060473; christopher.rigby@walthamforest. gov.uk ■ Lunar Cycles, Camden www.lunar-cycles.com Specialist in singlespeed conversions. Alongside its custom builds, it offers reconditioned bikes — for people looking to get into cycling as a mode of transport at affordable prices.

Contact: 020 7482 1515; bikes@lunar-cycles.com

34 London Cyclist April-May 2011

032034_recycling.FINAL.indd 34

22/03/2011 18:51

vario

Sometimes a pannier- sometimes a backpack always 100% waterproof

on your rack Waterproof Roll closure Fits A4 files and a 15.4” laptop Padded back carrying system Quick-Lock2 hooks Helmet fixing

on your back

Carry as a backpack

Then stow the

...and clip to a bike rack

carrying system in the zipped pocket

www.lyon.co.uk

Ortlieb products are distributed in the UK and Ireland by Lyon Equipment - www.lyon.co.uk p35.indd 35

15/03/2011 23:53

COMMENT

Have Your Say In the first of a new regular feature we ask prominent LCC members about the best cycling facility in their area — and whether it can be improved…

Jonathan Rowland Richmond Our best cycling facility? Is it the newly-redone off-road path alongside the A316, now a straight line instead of winding its way around trees and lampposts? No, still too many problems at major intersections.

Is it Teddington Lock, a crucial link for non-motorised traffic?

No, because it’s a pedestrian facility and no cycling is officially allowed.

In the end, we settled for a route rather than a single facility. It has a new bridge and path for cyclists in Kneller Gardens, it’s overseen by a volunteer group (Friends Of the River Crane Environment) who put in an enormous amount of work to make sure it is kept in a beautiful state and it provides a wonderful means of travelling from Twickenham to Hounslow.

More than this, it holds promise for the future as improvements are planned that would mean cyclists could experience a green and pleasant ride from Heathrow to the Thames. It is, of course, the Crane Valley route, stretching from Twickenham station out to Hanworth Road in Hounslow.

And while it isn’t a cyclingspecific facility, it is a great example of how pedestrians and cyclists can integrate to enjoy their surroundings.

Thanks to FORCE for all the work they have done to make this a serene, suburban haven.

Teresa Griffith Greenwich In my opinion the best facility we have in the borough is the path around the Millennium Dome. It’s wide, traffic-free, it has the beautiful Thames running alongside it and the intriguing Dome with its (alleged) peregrine falcons aloft.

I like the hollyhocks which grow alongside the wilder parts of the western path and although I hate the grit and mud of the riverside path past the cranes, I value the fact that we can go there and not have to cross the noisy motorway further south — although, it has to be said, that option is usually riddled with broken glass, and not exactly a bonus for not getting mud, grit and sand on your bike. Further east, warblers can be heard and a peaceful loo-stop made at the Ecology Centre.

The improvements that can be made are obvious — returning full access to the Thames Path eastwards from Greenwich for starters. At the moment successive developers have been sectioning off the right of way, causing lengthy diversions in places. This is one of the priority campaigning strands of our local LCC group.

Trevor Parsons Hackney My favourite cycling facility locally is Old Street. When I moved to Shoreditch in the 1980s, I didn't yet cycle, and the eastern section of Old Street was part of a mile-long one-way system, set up by the carobsessed 1960s planners.

The first of these problems was remedied when a friend offered me a sit-up-and-beg bike for a tenner. The second was finally fixed in 2002, when the Shoreditch one-way system was (mostly) returned to two-way following years of work by local residents' groups, public transport campaigners and ourselves in the local LCC group. The price — £5.3m — was perhaps even better value.

Even now, more than eight years after we celebrated 'Two-Way Day', I still love to see the 243 turn right from Kingsland Road into Old Street, instead of having to struggle round the old one-way system.

It's also great to see droves of cycling commuters heading straight on from Hackney Road into Old Street for a direct journey towards Clerkenwell and the West End. Most of them probably aren't even aware that they would once have faced no-entry signs and a diversion around a one-way race-track.

A 20mph speed limit would further improve it, plus strategic policy to reduce the volume of motor traffic on all our streets.

Gerhard Weiss Waltham Forest It is hard to decide on one best facility, but my vote would go to the modal filters at both ends of Essex Road (St. James’s Park).

The street under the bridge is incredibly narrow and was used as a ‘rat run’ with opposing cars and motorbikes rushing to get through first. The decision to install bollards, opening it up for cycling and walking was a clever ploy because the area by St. James’s Park did not qualify for a 20mph zone. By removing the rat-running some traffic calming was achieved without a 20mph zone.

The modal filter changed this little area overnight. Young kids use it to get to the park by themselves, it is a busy route to local schools and it forms part of the London Cycle Network. At the other end of Essex Road another modal filter is designed to a high standard.

The facility under the railway bridge could be improved by making it much more pleasant. Decent paving across the whole carriageway under the bridge and the adjacent area either side, with good quality shared use signage would be great. Action on antisocial parking and flytipping would also help.

36 London Cyclist April-May 2011

036037_haveyoursay.FINAL.indd 36

14/03/2011 23:54

Jean Dollimore Camden For me it has to be the AgarCamley pedestrian and cycle link which opened in August 2009. It is a wide track that rises along the edge of the embankment by the Midland Mainline railway, supported on a cantilevered structure. The track is finished to a high standard, allowing for separate two-way paths for cyclists and pedestrians.

It’s so important because it provides a new route between east Camden and St Pancras/ Kings Cross Stations, siphoning cyclists off busy roads and shortening the route to the City.

It also allows footpath access to the Camley Street Nature Reserve, the British Library and St Pancras Church gardens. It has made a big contribution to safety and convenience of cyclists and is a defining example of 'permeability' in practice.

It links the north end of Camley Street to Agar Grove, intersecting Agar Grove to the west of the railway bridge, opposite the end of Murray Street. It is a continuation of the north end of Camley Street which runs north from the junction of Goodsway and Pancras Road, under the channel tunnel rail link and then under the overground railway bridge.

To improve it I’d like to see the over-engineered barriers from both ends of the link removed and signage installed from St Pancras Station.

Spencer Harradine Bromley I live in the London borough of Bromley and when asked what I considered the best cycling facility in the area I was stumped — because there is not one specific thing that really stands out.

The one I use the most is LCN route 22, but I also help provide a number of facilities as a British Cycling ‘Go-Ride’ coach and as an active member and ride leader for Bromley Cyclists.

There are many people like me working with, and alongside, the local council, as well as other cycling clubs and organisations such as CTC, Sustrans and Penge Cycle Club all beavering away to make Bromley even cyclefriendlier. So for my money, the best cycling facility in Bromley is, well, the people of Bromley themselves for their utter determination to put cycling on the agenda.

The fantastic thing about this resource is that it is growing every day. The problem is to communicate all the wonderful initiatives that are taking place across the borough.

So the way to improve this is to improve communication and one day we may reach a point where we even have ‘joined-up’ cycling.

Christmas 2010 London Cyclist 37

036037_haveyoursay.FINAL.indd 37

15/03/2011 23:56

TRAVEL

Balearic biking

When it comes to perfect cycling holidays, Ibiza won’t top too many polls due to its party image. But there’s a lot more to the island than stereotypes as LC discovers…

G

azing out from our rocky promontory at sun-dappled waves gently shifting sands on an inaccessible cove below, we’re temporarily transfixed. The scent of pine and juniper adds to that serenity and calm. Breaths seem to deepen as we inhale crisp spring air. It’s bringing out the hippy within.

Yet despite such magical tranquility, one expression keeps resonating loud inside our brains: ‘Does not compute! Does not compute!’ What wasn’t making sense was the fact that less than two hours’ pedalling away was a place so completely alien to this natural wonder. We were here to discover the ‘other side’ of Ibiza — Europe’s

hedonistic heartland — and it looked like we’d struck gold without really trying too hard.

There’s no denying that Ibiza (Eivissa to locals) conjures a certain stereotype for the majority of people. Hardly surprising as the birthplace of modern dance music and launchpad for streams of superclubs and ‘superstar DJs’. But as with its Balearic neighbours or Canarian cousins, that party image is, in reality, a very small part of what the island has to offer. The music scene here is concentrated in the two main population centres — Ibiza Town and San Antonio — which means, luckily, there’s hundreds of kilometres of pristine coastline, inland trails and authentic villages

Sunsets and sundow ne the home of chillou rs: in t music for cyclists, walkers and other outdoor adventurers to explore, almost undisturbed.

Unearthing hidden trails Whether you’re an out-and-out roadie, tourer or mountain biker, the north-eastern half of the island offers myriad route options and our first ride, from the hamlet of Sant

38 London Cyclist April-May 2011

038039_travelIbiza.FINAL.indd 38

22/03/2011 18:52

Historic watchtowers litter the island's coast continuing on route 9 — one of 23 waymarked road/off-road circuits, graded easy to very difficult — to San Antonio.

tour and only managed to fit in additional shorter excursions to the stunning Dalt Vila (Ibiza’s Old Town) — a day's exploring on its own — and Las Salinas salt flats, both of which can again be linked by bicycle.

Our eyes had been opened and our appetites for future Balearic bike challenges whetted. Gary Fisher, the godfather of mountain biking, even puts his name to a marathon event here, so we’re not the only ones who think we’ve unearthed a hidden gem. Every London Cyclist reader should try it — if only to see their friends’ reactions when you tell them that you’re off for a ‘large one’ in Ibiza…

FACTFILE ■ GETTING THERE: cheap flights from most UK airports. If taking a bike, book carriage in advance.

■ ACCOMMODATION: the tourist board put us up at a beautiful country house, Can Lluc (www.canlluc.com), but its website shows options for all budgets.

■ WHEN TO GO: you’ll avoid the party crowds and hottest weather (and get cheaper deals) by not visiting between June and September ■ RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS: La Paloma (www.palomaibiza.com); Somiart (www. focifun.com); Can Cires (www.cancires.com) ■ BIKE SHOP, HIRE BIKES & GUIDING: Ibiza Sport (www.ibizasport.com).

■ BIKE TOURS (road and off-road): Mammoth (www.viajesmammoth.com) ■ KAYAKING & OTHER ACTIVITIES: Ibiza Mundo Activo (www.ibizamundoactivo.com) ■ TOURIST INFO: www.illesbalears.com ■ CYCLING MAPS/INFO: www.ibizacicloturismo.com

Photos: JK, Tourism Ibiza

Mateu, typifies much of the local terrain. Initially following broken cart-tracks through olive groves, we soon find ourselves leisurely picking our line up narrower, more rocky paths that take us into the type of forest more commonly associated with the national parks of mainland Spain. Pine needles crunch under knobbly tyres as we edge up natural terraces and over clumpy tree roots to eventually break out of the shadows and reveal the scene described earlier.

Our guide Bartolo’s keen to point out a nearby downhill track, down which the most skilled can launch themselves 400 vertical metres in just three minutes. He then shows us one of the areas lesser-known cliffs that’s been bolted for use by sport-climbers. Clearly there’s untapped potential for more ‘extreme’ sports folk too.

We return to Sant Mateu by an alternate route alongside avocado orchards and settle into the shade at Can Cires restaurant for a lunch of traditional rustic fare, before

Off the beaten track It's actually relatively easy to avoid the main towns and we’re being put up in a classic whitewashed villa — part of a small ‘agroturismo’ chain — in the middle of the countryside, which acts nicely as an access-all-areas base for cyclists.

Our second route, graded black (very difficult) by the tourist board, was another inland loop, through the Vall de Morna, an area reknown for it natural beauty and with several sites of unique historic interest. And half-a-dozen cheeky climbs to boot.

We started in Ibiza’s third biggest town, Santa Eularia, home to an ethnographic museum and a stunning fourteenth century church with extremely rare slatted Phoenician juniper roof — both well worth a visit.

A couple of 200-metre-plus climbs on dusty tracks, followed by fast and loose decents brought us to Sant Joan de Labritja, the perfect place for refuelling and sampling more of the local fruit pastries.

We’d already passed Roman-built defence towers — and multiple other clues to the island’s rich history of occupation and settlement — and on the way back were treated to a finely preserved spring and well, where an annual festival is held to mark the Assumption of Our Lady. We couldn’t pause too long as we still had a fair amount of ground to cover, but soon enough the undulation gave way to a final incredible downhill blast towards the coast.

Sadly we were on a whistle-stop

Sweet and savoury ta are a local specialit rts y

April-May 2011 London Cyclist 39

038039_travelIbiza.FINAL.indd 39

14/03/2011 23:56

TRAVEL

Viva Espana!

Looking for a different sort of cycle challenge? LCC member Owen Davies joined an organised tour in Spain and explains why everyone should try it

T

here was a special moment on our tour of northern Spain last October that summed up the experience for my partner and me. It was day three, and our group had already ridden for many hours, when we were faced with a long, steep climb to the mountain village where we were going to spend the night. It took over an hour and a half for us to conquer the eight-mile climb, topping out on a summit with spectacular views along the Camino de Santiago de Compostella. That sense of achievement — along with the aching muscles — was a high point in every sense.

This Exodus tour was the second organised bike trip Fi and I have enjoyed: two years ago, we did a similar week-long ride along the gorgeous Croatian islands from Split to Dubrovnik, and after that fine

experience, we had no hesitation taking the plunge again.

To reach the start of the route we flew to Asturias airport, from where Exodus transported us to our hotel in Leon. Here we picked up the reliable mountain bikes that would see us through the week. The tour we’d chosen was an assisted ride, meaning we had the luxury of not just a guide, but also a driver to transport our luggage. Naturally, it's more expensive than a self-guided tour, but it’s great to be able to take a few more luxuries along and travelling light during the day in warm sunshine was a blessing.

Cranking along the Camino Our 200-mile route westward along the Camino was a mix between pathways and minor roads, which meant there was very little motor traffic. There were 12 of us in the group, with ages from early twenties to mid-sixties, and we all got along famously. There were a couple of days where the fitter ones could do some extra miles, though mostly we stayed close together.

Riding as a group gave us plenty of chance to get to know each other, and our tour was expertly marshalled by ride leader Xavier. He was an excellent mechanic, he knew Galicia extremely well, and he also had that invaluable knack of ensuring

everyone in the group got along together.

Accommodation was in small hotels, all of which were comfortable, one or two almost luxurious. There’s plenty of freedom to choose how you spend your evenings too; on some occasions we’d eat as a group, while on others people would go their own way.

Overall, we’d heartily recommend this kind of holiday. They’re not cheap, of course, but we still feel like we got value for our money. The tour company made sure the ride was challenging but stress-free, giving us the time to appreciate the unforgettable scenery and make friends that we’ve stayed in touch with ever since.

CYCLE HOLIDAY COMPANIES ■ Beano www.bicycle-beano.co. uk; 01982 560471 ■ Exodus www.exodus.co.uk; 0845 527 9402 ■ Freewheel Cycle Holidays www.freewheel holidays.co.uk; 0116 255 8417 ■ Inn Travel www.inntravel.co.uk; 01653 617001 ■ Mountain Beach Holidays

www.mountain-beach. co.uk; 01159 215065 ■ Red Spokes www.redspokes.co.uk; 020 7502 7252 ■ Saddle Skeddadle www.skedaddle.co.uk; 0191 265 1110 ■ Spencer's Cycling Tours cyclesalento@yahoo.it; +39 3342513842 ■ Story Bikes www.storybikes.co.uk; 07762 000 039

40 London Cyclist April-May 2011

040_travel.FINAL.indd 40

14/03/2011 23:44

Cycle to Mount Everest ‘base camp’...

Cycle through Vietnam and Laos

Cycle to Machu Picchu

CYCLING ADVENTURE HOLIDAYS explore the most spectacular regions of the world Red Spokes Adventure Tours specialise in taking small groups of cyclists to the more remote and spectacular regions in the world.

p41.indd 41

There is no better way of discovering a country than from the saddle of a bike.

Tel: Skype: Email: Web:

020 7502 7252 redspokes office@redspokes.co.uk www.redspokes.co.uk

15/03/2011 23:59

BIKES

Singlespeed bikes With the simplicity of one-geared bikes maintaining their popularity in the city, we review four new models from local companies and global players

042043_bikes.FINAL.indd 42

20/03/2011 21:42

DAWES Mono £650 www.dawescycles.com

The Mono is Dawes’ interpretation of the classic steel-framed urban singlespeed — and it’s a fine job from the British marque. It’s a fairly understated-looking ride, though some stylish graphics enhance the slategrey finish.

Under the paintwork is a 520 Reynolds chromoly frame with butted main tubes, partnered by a curved carbon fork. The 175mm cranks, driving a 48T Sugino chainset and 18T sprocket provide suitable gearing for most situations, and the flip-flop hub lets you choose between freewheel or fixed.

On the road, the Dawes feels comfortable, with the double-wall Alex rims and puncture-proof Schwalbe tyres providing a solid platform. Weighing just over 10kg, the Dawes is no slouch, despite wearing a pair of

FOFFA Prima ma from £450 http://foffabikes.com/

plastic mudguards. These are a bonus in wet weather and, along with a pair of bottle mounts, make the Mono appeal to those looking for a winter training bike. Tektro brakes with levers mounted on the drops provide the stopping power, which felt more than adequate around town.

Overall, the Mono is a welcome addition to the singlespeed scene, combining subtle styling with a sprightly and well-engineered frame.

The only drawbacks might be the limited sizes — 48cm, 53cm and 58cm — and the fact that at this price point it’s entering a very crowded market. MC PROS: nicely finished; decent weight, comfort CONS: limited sizing

RACER ROSA Lombardi £1000

What started out at a small flat in south-east London has turned into a thriving business producing colourful fixed gear, singlespeed and vintage bikes. Its signature singlespeed Prima range comes in a variety of colours, sizes and components, but this typical build was centred around a double-butted steel frameset with Sakae vintage 46T crankset, Weinmann rims laced to Quando/Formula hubs, Schwalbe Blizzard tyres and finishing kit from Wellgo, Oury and the like. You can, however, ‘pick and mix’ everything to suit your taste or budget.

Our test machine proved a sturdy, lightweight (around 9kg) and fast commuter.

After several weeks of bombing around town and several much longer rides, our novice singlespeeder was totally hooked and found the bike slashed her commuting

SPECIALIZED Langster £569

www.specialized.com

At first glance the Lombardi may apear expensive, however, you have to realise that this is a custom bike, with a frame built precisely to an owner’s dimensions. You also get to choose a specification that suits your pocket, and Racer Rosa has made recycling a principle in their business, whether re-using old stocks of retro components or specifying recycled parts.

The frames are made in Italy from Columbus Thron steel and the bike we tested was kitted out with unfussy, top-quality kit: Miche hubs and chainset, Campagnolo brakes, quill stem and a tasty Supertype seatpin. If you like minimalist décor you will be delighted: only subtle engraving on the bottom bracket and fork crown reveal the bike’s origins.

The fillet-brazed joints on

The 2011 steel Langster is something of a head-turner, with its chromed frame and forks offering more than a nod to earlier Bianchi Pista models.

In fact it sells itself more as an urban-track bike than the others tested here — the bars are track-style swooping drops and the quill stem adds to the retro look.

The frame is Reynolds 520 and, in another nod to track design, there are no braze-ons for the rear brake cable so you’ll have to zip-tie it on. You get a 42T Sugino chainset, with a 16T flip-flop hub. The Mavic rims are shod in Specialized’s own 'flak jacket' rubber, and there’s plenty of other Specialized finishing kit, including an ungainly Langster saddle with copper rivets.

On the road, the Langster handles well: the riding position is neutral, and the bike

feels fairly agile and responsive, though it's definitely a touch heavier than some reviewed here.

Unfortunately, those stylish bars don’t offer the most comfortable hand positions for around town, especially when you’re riding on the tops where the cyclocross-style brake levers are found.

Pleasingly, there's six sizes available (from 49 to 61cm), which means you should have no problem finding a frame that fits you well. There’s an aluminium-frame version too, for those willing to trade some longevity for lightness. MC PROS classic looks, sizing CONS tad heavy, bars, saddle

TESTERS: Mike Cavenett, Alex Crawford, Tom Bogdanowicz PHOTO: Steve Rutherford

www.racerrosabicycles.co.uk co.u co .uk uk

the frame are smooth and the paintwork is rich. Long term durability, rather than minimal weight, is the approach, but the bike still weighs in at less than 10kg.

The ride's comfortable and predictable as befits a frame made with double-butted chromoly. Our test bike came in grass green (main picture), but you get to choose any colour you want. Of course there's a cost to such personalisation — a grand or more for a complete bike — but then some framebuilders will charge you a similar amount for the frame alone. TB PROS custom options, finish CONS custom costs!

times. She did find the Ventura racing saddle too narrow for female ‘sit bones’ so switched it for a Brooks.

As for hills, our tester hasn’t found the high and lows of London any harder to get around on this bike than any other. She’s cycled it on cobbled streets, up not-insignificant gradients, down scary slopes and wound comfortably for miles through the busy inner city and along the Thames.

What’s more she’s found it a doddle to clean and maintain.

Foffa’s Prima bikes come with a 12-month warranty, plus five years on frame/forks.

You can also hire their bikes. AC PROS: price, lightweight CONS: you can get carried away with spec

April-May 2011 London Cyclist 43

042043_bikes.FINAL.indd 43

20/03/2011 21:43

p44.indd 44

16/03/2011 00:01

PRODUCT

Cycling shorts Half-a-dozen of the latest short trousers ridden and rated ENDURA Supplex women's shorts £32.99

MADISON Flux £44.99

www.madison.co.uk

Madison’s Flux is effectively two shorts in one — an outer short constructed from tough ripstop M:Tec 40 material which is lightweight and quick drying, and an inner Lycra short with a Coolmax anti-bacterial pad for extra comfort. The two are designed to be worn together but can worn separately. Suitable for road or off-road riding, they're smart enough to wear off the bike yet feature an array of well thought through riding features.

The stretch panels under the crutch and down the inside of the short ensure that the short doesn’t pull or snag. The burly adjustable waistband creates a trusted secure and snug fit and the additional stretch panel across the top of the backside

ensures no inadvertent ‘moon’ when stretching forward on the bike.

There's an abundance of pocket space with zipped change or phone pockets on the legs, zipped and open mesh pockets on the hips and two zipped rear pockets as well. MM PROS: price, waistband, integral inner short, pocket space CONS: only one colour option available

ODLO Bermuda £69.99

ALTURA Airstream bib short £39.99

www.odlo.com

Less known in the UK, Odlo have over 60 years of sportswear experience in Europe. The Everest Stretch outer fabric is lightweight, highly wicking and fast drying.

The stretch and cut provide a comfortable fit and the detachable padded inner is unobtrusive. Off the bike the short gives little away to indicate they’re cycling specific. The shorts probably lend themselves better to on-road leisure or touring use, rather than sport or off-road use.

There are two zipped front pockets and a ventilation flap across the top of the backside.

Price includes Passion liner short. MM PROS: very comfortable, quick drying, detachable liner, wear anywhere CONS: non ripstop fabric

www.zyro.co.uk

The most striking feature of these bibs is how thin and light they are, while still offering a comfortable, snug fit with good padding.

In fact, if it wasn’t for this padding you'd have to check every now and then that you're actually wearing something! This is handy if you need to wear trousers on top, something you might consider for the pub lunch despite their subtle styling.

Silicone hem grippers do a good job but those with thicker thighs might want to go for a bigger size. Discrete reflective elements are well placed too. GW PROS: price, fit, feel, reflectivity CONS: no pocket

www.endura.co.uk

The shorts have non-gripper hems which means no marks are left on the legs. The mid-length cut works well but the low-rise waist needed the drawcord for a snugger fit. The padding, though designed specifically for women, was not as comfortable as expected. A rear zipped pocket and discrete logo allow for everyday use. PW PROS: good looks , zipped pocket, waist drawcord CONS: low-rise waist, padding fairly ineffectual

SPECIALIZED Body Geometry Comp bib short £59.99 www.specialized.com

Specialized have clearly made the effort to get the comfort aspect of these bibs right — we found the positioning of the ergonomic panels on the insert spot on for long distance rides. The company has also developed effective non-slip elastic around the legs.

Specialized uses a combination of nylon, polyester and Spandex to ensure they stretch well and don’t constrict around the waist. The colour combination of grey, white and black also works well as long as you don’t mind the prominent logo. TB PROS: well designed and well finished, with comfortable panels and leg grippers CONS: pricey

SUGOI Luck Knicker £44.99 www.minx-girl.com

First impressionss were positive: they looked greatt with no shiny Lycra effect, instead more of an everyday casual legging look with h discreet padding..

The benefit of padding wasn’t obviously noticeable though, it doesn’t seem to protect any more than jeans. Wearing such shorts as an alternative to everyday clothes does have its advantages though, preventing wear to the seat of your jeans/trousers and not getting dirty before arriving at work. They're also extremely comfortable. We really liked the slightly flared bottoms and there's even a little pocket for keys. LC PROS: fashionable design, comfort, key pocket CONS: padding doesn’t make that much difference

April-May 2011 London Cyclist 45

045_shorts.FINAL.indd 45

14/03/2011 23:47

PRODUCT

Product Singlespeed kit and new clobber for riding into spring FSA Gimondi chainset £79.95

www.windwave.com

With the trend for retro-styled bike building showing no signs of wavering, FSA has released this classiclooking 48T chainset. Named after Felice Gimondi – one of only five riders to have won all three ‘Grand Tours’ — the others being Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Alberto Contador — it will add cool to any revamped singlespeed or fixie.

It comes in three crankarm lengths (165/170/175mm) and we opted for the shortest length due to ‘clearance issues’ on our old frame. These polished aluminium crankarms are mated to a silver anodised alloy chainring (3/32 chain compatible) and finished with black anodised bolts — all told it weighs a very impressive 631g.

The chainset needs to be paired with an appropriate square-tapered bottom bracket; we opted for a 68mm FSA model, but similar units are available at most bike shops for about 20 quid. With the appropriate tools fitting takes just a few minutes, but otherwise any shop can do the job.

CONTINENTAL Ultra Gatorskin £22.95

www.conti-tyres.co.uk

We’ve raved about the puncture-proofing of equivalent Gatorskin tyres we’ve ridden on road bikes in the past, but this is the 26in version designed for fast commuting on a mountain bike. Constructed using a lightweight 170tpi (threads per inch) casing, with a layer of Duraskin to protect the sidewall and tread and a belt-and-braces Kevlar central strip, it shrugs off road debris and imperfect surfaces. We've been running them at 100psi.

With all the tech and a wire bead, you might expect this Conti to be weighty, but it’s just 320g in this 1.125in width. It’s fast, grippy in the wet, and predictable in corners and other conditions; and no flats in hundreds of miles either. Why can’t all slicks be like this? JK PROS: anti-flat appeal, weight CONS: only one 26in version

We used the chainset in combination with 18T rear cogs on a flip-flop hub, which is perhaps the best combination for London’s streets and hills.

In use the chainset helps revitalise the overall ride, proving stiff under continual pedalling, a million miles better that the 30-year-old unit it replaced. The combo of new chainset and bottom bracket worked solidly together, eliminating the graunchiness of before. Powering over the City cobbles you could almost imagine you were Gimondi himself steaming to victory in the Paris-Roubaix. JK PROS: superb value, styling CONS: one chainring size only

HAMAX Siesta GORE Xenon childseat £94.99 £45 www.gorebikewear.com www.fisheroutdoor.co.uk

The Siesta is a rear-mounted childseat suitable for children from 9 months and up to 22kg. It is quick and easy to remove being mounted by a single bracket on the seat-tube (which doesn’t foul gear cables). The seat cantilevers from this point which provides excellent suspension and eliminates jarring over rough ground. The one bracket fitting also means that the bike doesn’t need an additional pannier rack to be permanently fitted. The child is kept safe and secure with twin buckled straps and adjustable footrests. Further comfort is provided by a reclining cushioned seat which prevents slumbering children from lolling awkwardly forward. MM PROS: comfort (suspension and reclining) CONS: pricey if on a tight budget

We originally planned to review this pair in the Xmas issue, but cold temperatures meant these lightweight items didn't get many outings until March. Curiously, Gore markets them as winter gloves, but they're much more suitable for spring and autumn.

Styled in an understated manner, they only come in black with subtle reflective trim. The fit is pleasingly snug and the super-breathable Windstopper fabric is light, though with just enough padding to take the edge off long rides. Other features include long-ish elasticated cuffs and comfortable nose wipes on both thumbs.

Overall, the Xenons are a highly practical addition to the cyclist’s spring wardrobe. MC PROS light, breathable, comfortable CONS not the cheapest

OVERBOARD messenger bag £44.99 www.overboard.com

Made from internally padded PVC tarpaulin, this bag will keep your 17in laptop and papers dry in a storm. It has plenty of pockets and key loops, plus a wide strap and carrying handle. An unusual feature is a zip that secures all compartments, which can stop items falling out or frustrate thieves. On the bike, it balances well despite the lack of a waist-strap. TB PROS waterproof, main zipper CONS no waist-strap

HELLY HANSEN Women’s Windfoil jacket £80 www.hellyhansen.com The Windfoil’s something of a transformer — one minute it’s a full-sleeved jacket, then with a couple of nifty unzips it’s a sleeveless gilet. Either way it’s proved an essential piece of kit in this changeable spring weather.

The cut is pretty tailored at the waist and hips, but this size 10-12 tester found it spot on.

Sleeve length is ideal when stretched over the bars and when removed can be stashed in the pocket; the entire jacket folds away into it. The microfibre fabric is really soft to touch, but while extremely windproof will not keep you dry in showers.

Really nice reflective detailing too.

Jane K PROS two jackets in one CONS pricey for nonwaterproof

46 London Cyclist April-May 2011

046_product.FINAL.indd 46

22/03/2011 20:53

g n i l c y c r e t t e B by definition

Optilabs cycling glasses

“Our prescr iption cyclin g gl were a joy and an asse asses Brian We t!” lsh & St Winn ers of the

3000km

acey Ec cles Race Ac ross Ameri ca

Our ergonomic, wraparound Mirage frames are engineered for better airflow, whilst remaining tough, durable and lightweight for ultimate comfort.

Available in either gloss black or gunmetal.

Mirage frames with mirror lenses

NEW DESIGN!

See more, save more with prescription cycling glasses direct from Optilabs...

As one of the UK’s leading independent prescription eyewear specialists, we design and manufacture sports glasses in our own factory.

All we need is your prescription and we’ll do the rest.

Our standard hi-spec polarised lenses offer maximum glare protection and hi-definition contrast. Bifocal and varifocal options available.

Mirror finish polarised lenses are available in blue, gold or silver – single vision only.

Or choose our photochromic lenses, which change from clear to dark to match light conditions.

Total Cost: £159.95 (Includes frames and all of the above single vision lens options. Bifocal and varifocal also available)

www.optilabs.com 020 8686 5708

PROTECT YOUR CYCLE TODAY! The Protect a Cycle™ is a complete package. It is supplied with ground anchor, metal hasps with padlocks, a security cable, a metal floor as standard and a choice of two colours (two-tone green or all cream).

s s s s s s s s s s s

Easy to use Integral metal floor PVC-coated galvanised panels 25 year guarantee Stores up to 3 adult bikes Quality build Easy assembly Simple instructions Maintenance free Fire resistant Choice of colours

when ordering to receive ¸ g a 5% discount

“This Bicycle Store is robust enough to deter anyone breaking in and is a sound investment. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED” “Top marks for design and ease of use and we recommend that readers put one on the top of their wish list” “Super-secure metal store for three bikes; superb design and a doddle to use – you get what you pay for and this buys ample peace of mind”

Professional Security Magazine Product of the month August 2009

Approved by Butterworth Insurance Services (the UK’s leading cycling First and only bicycle storage insurance experts) – contact them container that has achieved today for a quote www.butterworthinsurance.co.uk the police SBD mark!

p47.indd 47

Enter Enter code: code: CLM3443 LCC2777

“Best available for the money. SUPERB PRODUCT”

www.protectacycle.co.uk Protect a Cycle Certified to LPS1175: Issue 6 Security Rating 1

£535 £499

*

NOW!

nline k Order o tacycle.co.u rotec

www.p

Sunrise Business Park, Higher Shaftesbury Road Blandford Forum, Dorset DT11 8ST. UK Tel: 01258 459441 Fax: 01258 480408 Email: sales@protectacycle.co.uk Protect a Cycle is a registered trade name of Trimetals Ltd. *All our prices include delivery (to UK mainland) and VAT. g Offer code valid for first 250 orders only

16/03/2011 09:19

BOOKS

Books More glossy hardbacks and info-packed paperbacks to digest London’s Riverside Pubs £14.99 Tim Hampson Imagine writing this book – you sip the locally-brewed ales at the Bell and Crown, scribble some notes, walk 200 yards along the

River Thames path to the City Barge, conduct another beer tasting, write a little more and do it 100 times more (the words

see you... in the city

'sponsored pub crawl' spring to mind).

You don’t even have to worry about checking the map and examining the route, just follow the river and stop where you hear the clink of glasses.

To be fair, the author must have been sober enough to assemble the hogshead of curious facts contained in this book — did you know that The Ship in Mortlake used to brew beer for its attached monastery, that Fuller’s ESB is kept in old whisky barrels and that smugglers tunnelled to the cellars of the London Apprentice.

As a pub guide the book works

very well – tankard icons on maps show you where a hundred riverside pubs are located; there is a page of information and a photograph (so that you don’t get confused) for each one, a critique of the beers they offer (the author is chairman of the British Guild of Beer Writers) and notes about food, live music and decor.

Pub goers will find most of their favourite river haunts in the book and discover many more. Islingtonians may complain that the Narrow Boat is omitted and Ealing Cyclists will surely miss The Fox Inn but then keeping them secret has its advantages. Although most of the pubs mentioned are along the Thames, the guide also extends to London’s canals and the River Lea. TB

the world’s be st brands and passionate cyc lists in every s tore 22 stores across the UK & Ireland including 10 located within Snow+Rock superstores 0800 298 8898 / www.cyclesurgery.com

10% LCC

*

discount on bikes clothing & accessorie s

48 London Cyclist Xmas 2010

048049_books.FINAL.indd 48

*Discount not available on Marin bikes or already reduced items.

CycleSurgery is part of the Snow+Rock group of companies, comprising: Snow+Rock, CycleSurgery and Runners Need.

22/03/2011 17:18

Cycling Days Out — South East England £14.95 Deirdre Huston The book features over 30 'traffic-free' routes across Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and London’s parks, graded by difficulty and ranging from three-milers to longer point-topoints like the Downs Link from Shoreham by Sea to Guildford.

Most of the trails are Forestry Commission, local authority or forest park paths which means that when choosing routes for your family you know that they will be well signposted and maintained. Each of the routes is accompanied by detailed local info, an OS map, detailed route instructions, refreshment and accommodation stops and superb pictures to entice you to try the different rides. MM

Electric Bikes £12.95 David Henshaw & Richard Peace It may not be 'glossy' but its encyclopaedic coverage is very impressive. The authors provide a comprehensive history of electric bikes from flops like the Sinclair C5 to the modern Gocycle. They also review all the major models in today’s market and include key details like how much replacement batteries cost (£250 is typical), how much the bikes weigh (20kg upwards) and what they cost (£1,000-£3,000).

The most interesting chapter is that on the future: will the boom in electric bikes be a bubble as prices drop; will Li-ion batteries fall below the 2kg barrier; will a world shortage of lithium push prices up? Enlightening stuff. TB

Cycling: Serious About Your Sport £12.99 Wielinga, Cowcher & Bernabei The popularity of sportives and road racing has prompted a flurry of books designed to help the amateur cyclist raise their game. Here, a former pro cyclist, a fitness expert and a sports nutritionist share their combined wisdom.

The book is a large format paperback, with 160 colourful and informative pages, and the photography and diagrams are consistently excellent.

There’s plenty of good advice here too, whether it’s choosing the right cleats, techniques like riding in a group and descending, or fitness goals such as building anaerobic fitness or strength.

Overall, it’s a useful book for beginners hoping to get a little closer to emulating their professional heroes. MC

The Bicycle Book £16.99 Bella Bathhurst Bella Bathurst is a journalist, novelist and London cyclist who has written ‘the kind of book she’d like to read’ — a 300-page non-fiction odyssey through various cycling cultures. Tucked away between its hardback covers are engaging stories of World War II bicycle battalions, Scottish heroes, building one’s own frame, courier antics, cycling in Delhi, and much more.

Yes, it’s something of a hotpotch, but it’s enjoyable because Bathurst is a fine writer: fluid, engaging and endlessly curious. Crucially, all her stories centre on individuals. And though we sometimes obsess too much about bits and bicycles, she reminds us that it’s the people who ride them that really count. MC

Xmas 2010 London Cyclist 49

048049_books.FINAL.indd 49

22/03/2011 17:18

p50.indd 50

16/03/2011 00:10

Find out more at www.lcc.org.uk/localgroups

BEST RIDES IN LONDON

GROUPS

Local Group News BARNET www.barnetlcc.org Our AGM was on Thursday 31 March — more details on the new or ‘refurbished’ committee members next time. ➤ As a group we do sometimes like to get some culture, so a recent ride visited five of the London churches designed by Hawksmoor in the 18th century.

Afterwards, for some contemporary culture, we visited one of the new cyclists’ cafés in central London. ➤ Unsurprisingly, we’ve learnt that Barnet will have to reduce its cycle training budget from £100k to £50k. ➤ There has been much discussion about the route for the north-bound Cycle Superhighway and how it will access Barnet and cross the North Circular Road, always a major problem. It is unlikely to be at Henley’s Corner where we have learnt that the junction is to be upgraded to facilitate traffic flow. This will actually be more dangerous for cyclists as it will have left-turning filter lanes for north and south-bound traffic.

MEETINGS: last Thursday of the month, 8pm at Trinity Church Hall, Nether Street, N12.

CONTACT: Jeremy Parker, 020 8440 9080.

BRENT www.brentcyclists.org.uk Most campaigning effort recently has been devoted to responding to Brent's draft Local Implementation Plan for 2011-14, which said plenty of encouraging things about cycling, but then came up with a pathetic target of only achieving 1.05 percent of trips by cycle by 2014. This is just a five percent increase on current levels — and this for an an authority which is supposed to be a Biking Borough.

We pointed out that to be on track to achieve the Mayor's target of 4.3 percent for Outer

FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS: Barnet LCC members enjoying a tour of London's Hawksmoor churches earlier this year

London by 2026, at least a 60 please come along to the percent increase would be meeting or contact us to offer required in this period. What your help. matters, of course, is what MEETINGS: Tuesday 5 April, 7pm changes are proposed to Brent's at The Crown, Cricklewood cycle-unfriendly roads, and here Broadway, NW2; Wednesday 4 the draft LIP is lacking any May, 7pm at Samaritans Centre, 1 convincing details. Additionally, Leopold Road, NW10. the new funding categories with CONTACT: Ian Saville, 07949 opaque names such as such as 164793; coordinator@ ‘corridors’ and ‘neighbourhoods’ brentcyclists.org.uk have made it very hard to discover what the borough is actually proposing to spend on BROMLEY cycling. We suggested, as usual, www.bromleycyclists.org.uk schemes that we would like to see funded.

Co-ordinating is about bringing ➤ May sees the Brent Cyclists’ different groups together and Annual Meeting, at which we outgoing co-ordinator Charles Potter has done that by need to elect a committee. We delivering three community are desperately short of Go-Ride clubs, the awardvolunteers to keep the group winning going, and the work currently y g Bromley y Bike Blast, as well as over 250 falls on very few o people on the people who may Bromley-led not do it Brom EVENTS S ride indefinitely. rid to the ER TE VOLUN nts Skyride We need S eve of list our up g We’re buildin nts season.

2010. people who 2 volunteers for 2011’s eve us out at p hel to like Charles has can organise C uld wo you If sign-ups, selling also rides, social a events, taking petition ing memberships and publicis singleand s gns, please email pai cam our handedly community h nce experie matthew@lcc.org.uk. No managed the activities, as m manner needed, just a friendly website and well as those ! web ling cyc and a love of worked who can write e worke tirelessly with council letters, read plans, coun departments. his do publicity and nd maintain departments During D tenure Bromley has been the website. If you think an LCC awarded the honour of group in Brent is worth having,

becoming a Biking Borough, a true reflection of his continuous hard work. Thank you Charles from all your friends and every cyclist in Bromley. ➤ The borough general meeting was held on 9 February. As mentioned Charles has retired as co-ordinator, being replaced by Spencer Harradine; our secretary Jonathan Burns also retired and is replaced by Eve Evans; thankfully our treasurer Trevor has remained. ➤ There has been much discussion on the Bromley Yahoo group regarding the impending LIP and this vibrant discussion continued into the meeting. We would like to thank Charles once again for co-ordinating all the different points of view and melding them into a coherent and provocative response.

Bromley is to develop three sections within the group, each will have a section leader — the website regeneration group led

by Shaun McDonald, the rides programme 2011 group led by Steve Watkin, and the policy and campaigns group lead by ‘tbc’.

Should you wish to become a part of one or all of the above groups please contact spencer. harradine@yahoo.co.uk. ➤ Bromley also has a facebook page although we are still learning how it works, so please be kind.

April-May 2011 London Cyclist 51

051056_groups.FINAL.indd 51

15/03/2011 00:00

BEST RIDES IN GROUPS LONDON

➤ In March we began our weekly series of 10-mile rides from Norman Park. With names such as Chinese Tea & Cake, Costa to Costa, Bread & Butter you can tell these are not head-down club rides but designed to demonstrate the diversity of the refreshment establishments in the borough. ➤ We are very pleased to announce that Bromley Cycle Repair will be offering ‘Bike MOTs’ at the start of many of our rides this year as well as offering more in-depth cycle maintenance sessions. For more information contact info@ bromleycyclerepair.co.uk ➤ Bromley Cyclists’ is also pleased to be assisting a group of students from Bromley College who are riding to Brighton on behalf of Help for Heroes on Tuesday 3 May. Further info contact tanya.adolpho@ bromley.ac.uk. ➤ On Sunday 10 April, Bromley Cyclists have once again been asked to lead the Bromley Fun Run and are very pleased to be collaborating with Bromley My Time. We are also planning a camping weekend in Essex from 15-17 April — for info contact eve. evans10@btinternet.com. ➤ Wednesday Weekly Wanders leave from Bromley South station at just after 7.30pm on Wednesday evenings and very quickly disappearing into some of Bromley’s most respected drinking establishments. Come along soon.

MEETINGS: second Wednesdays, see website.

CONTACT: Spencer Harradine, 07958 693518.

CAMDEN www.camdencyclists.org.uk During the last two years, residents of Belsize Park have wondered at the point of the inaccessible bike stands by the station. It's a story of bungling by London Underground, but ends happily with the space being used for a vegetable garden (see http://tinyurl.com/vegestand). ➤ We have responded to Camden's LIP. We support their objective to encourage travel by walking, cycling and public transport. However the details appear not to do enough for road safety and road space

reallocation. We therefore asked the council to be more radical in its transport strategy, stating that the baseline for safety of pedestrians and cyclists is an effective borough-wide 20mph speed limit. ➤ Cycling to St Pancras and Kings Cross stations is difficult these days due to the transfer of the big gas holder from its current site to the other side of Goodsway. Taxis are already doing U-turns to access Kings Cross station. From March to July there will be no motor vehicle access north of the coach road.

The good news is that in December two-way access will be restored in Goodsway and the Boulevard will open (see http:// tinyurl.com/pancgas). ➤ Our AGM will be on 16 May. We are keen to get new blood on the committee, so please contact us or encourage your friends.

MEETINGS: 18 April and 16 May at Primrose Hill Community Association, 29 Hopkinsons Place, (off Fitzroy Rd), NW1.

CONTACT: Stefano Casalotti, 020 7435 0196; stefano@ lamsam-casalotti.org.uk. Or Jean Dollimore, 020 7485 5896; jean@ dollimore.net.

CROYDON website under development

at all levels and will be suitable for all cycling abilities. We are particularly targetting local LCC members, the good people of Croydon and surrounds, their friends and prospective members, as well as cyclists from others boroughs who are more than welcome to join us.

They will all have a loose theme and be designed to be fun and sociable — they usually include some form of refreshment break.

We’re calling it the Croydon Cycle Campaign ‘Sping into Summer Easy Riders Series’. All rides are on Saturdays and start at 10am from East Croydon station (corner of Dingwall Road, opposite Warehouse theatre). ➤ All will have shorter options and chances to get home by train earlier if required. The list: Saturday 16 April — Meantime Meander (to Greenwich via Cycle route 21 and pub stop); Saturday 14 May — The Deerhunter (to Richmond, including ice cream fest); Saturday 11 June — Borough Boundaries & Beyond (includes beer and BBQ).

All rides are free (of course), but we do ask that participants text or phone Neil on 07740 698168 so that we can plan accordingly.

MEETINGS: second Monday of the month (11 April, 9 May, 13 June), 7.45pm at the Spread Eagle pub, Katharine Street (near Grants Vue Cinema).

CONTACT: Austen Cooper, austen.croydoncyclists@gmail. com. Or Neil, 07740 698168; moz1210@googlemail.com.

Despite not appearing on these pages for a fairly long while, there has been lots of behindthe-scenes activity in Croydon.

Jim and Austen have been engaging with the council on a number of issues and attending EALING the Croydon Cycle Forum. www.ealingcycling.org.uk ➤ At the February meeting we have taken steps to ensure that ECC’s deputy borough Croydon contributes to the LCC coordinator David Eales has been campaign to increase voted a Local ncrease Loca Hero by membership and EalingToday.co.uk, nd EalingTo member activity. our local ty. lo online DON'T In addition, we newspaper. e new FORGET YOUR are taking Da MEMBERSHIP CARD David’s steps to initiatives in in Now the better weather is with us, develop a setting up s make sure you get your LCC disco unt better local l when you visit your local bike shop . website projects p Whether you’re buying a new bike than we such as s or just a new bit of kit, your LCC membership will save you £££s currently family fa over the normal price. Never have, so for cycling and cy leave home without it! now please gett the Ealing Bike in touch by email, Hub (see mail, (s page 32) phone and text. were highlighted in t. high ➤ We have planned a series the press release. ECC’s of monthly rides leading up to members are delighted by this recognition of David’s work — it is Bike Week. These rides are aimed

justly deserved. David’s latest achievement is securing a £2,000 grant to support a bike club in the Windmill Housing Estate. The club will be the first of its kind in London and will follow a model set up by CTC in other parts of the country. ➤ We have a full calendar of social rides for 2011 with extra rides already scheduled for the summer. Have a look at our website to check out what’s on offer. We are always on the lookout for new ride leaders and backstops. These rides are steadily growing in popularity but the programme can only be maintained if cyclists are willing to share their time and expertise of the local area. We have a comprehensive archive of rides (so you don’t have to design one) and we will provide training on leading a ride. If you are interested please get in touch using the email address below. ➤ We are working on concrete proposals to flesh out the concept of cycle hubs proposed by the council in their Cycling Strategy 2010-2016. We have put together a list of ‘must haves’ to get members thinking. If you have any ideas, we’d be keen to hear them. Please email us at the email address below. ➤ Preparations for Bike Week are underway with warm-up events in May and early June. If you would like to help (the more volunteers we have the better the events), please come along to our meetings. ➤ The Bike Hub now offers several courses to help people with their cycle maintenance: bike anatomy and puncture repair, brakes and gears, and spoke adjustment are available; wheel-building is being planned.

For further info go to www. ealingbikehub.co.uk.

MEETINGS: first Wednesday of the month, see website. Social ride: first Sunday of the month, meet 10am at Ealing Town Hall.

CONTACT: David Lomas, info@ ealingcycling.org.uk; David Eales, 07880 797437.

ENFIELD www.lcc.org.uk/localgroups Work has begun on the first section of the Greenways network in Enfield. The eastern stretch of this east-west

52 London Cyclist April-May 2011

051056_groups.FINAL.indd 52

15/03/2011 00:00

Greenway, currently under construction between the A10 Great Cambridge Road and Enfield Island Village, will ultimately link up with Sustrans route 12 at Hadley Wood, and also form the backbone of a Greenways Network across Enfield. ➤ Why not consider joining your local Residents Association or Friends of Parks group. Most areas of Enfield have a relevant Residents Association — some cover just a few streets; others several square miles. They generally hold two or three meetings per year and often circulate a newsletter. Why not join yours? It will keep you in touch with what is happening in your neighbourhood and you can help to ensure that a cycling perspective is represented at these meetings. The Federation of Enfield Residents Associations (FERAA) can put you in touch with your nearest association (020 88071460; info@feraa.org.uk). Also, it is very likely that your local park has a Friends Group — go to friendsofparks@enfield.gov.uk. ➤ Dates for the two big local events during Bike Week have now been confirmed: The Enfield Festival of Cycling will take place on Sunday 19 June in Enfield Town Park. And Enfield's Big Bike Ride, a round-the-borough ride in aid of Nightingale Community Hospice Trust will be on Sunday 26 June. ➤ Rides — see the diary page at www.edmontoncyclingclub. fsnet.co.uk MEETINGS: first Thursday of every month. Thursday 7 April, 8pm, at The Wheatsheaf pub, 185 Baker Street, EN1. Thursday 5 May, 8pm at Winchmore Hill Cricket Club, Fords Grove, N21.

CONTACT: Richard Reeve, 07957 591387; r.reeve@blueyonder.co.uk.

HAMMERSMITH & FULHAM www.hfcyclists.org.uk The consultation on the LIP is over by now. Our input had no influence on the first stage, but let us see if it has had any on the final stage. Some of our suggestions for the LIP would save money, like a default 20mph speed limit for residential areas instead of installing zones

LOCAL HERO: award-winner David Eales of Ealing LCC on Dr Bike duty in 2009

piecemeal, and having more wardens to keep cycle lanes clear. Money from parking goes to the council, but fines for speeding offences go to central government. ➤ Thanks to those who took part in our survey on Hammersmith Bridge. We showed that 92 percent of cyclists in our email poll wanted a 20mph speed limit on the bridge. The full results of this survey with comments can be found on our website. ➤ The council has drawn up a driver's charter, that seems to be the main response to today’s problems. More parking bays for residents, take out speed bumps, remove traffic lights that might slow a driver down, etc. But spring is here, time for cheer and freedom to ride as nature unfolds itself. Join our email group to keep up with what is going on, and/or check out our website for our meetings and rides.

MEETINGS: see website.

CONTACT: John Griffiths, 020 7371 1290 or 07789 095 748; john@truefeelings.com

HARROW www.harrowcyclists.org.uk Campaigning has been our main activity over the winter months – with at least two planned rides cancelled due to the icy weather.

Harrow Cyclists presented our borough councillors with a 'manifesto' — the minimum needed to increase cycling and

cycle safety in the area. Our 'demands' include more cycle parking, better policing of errant motorists, a more joined-up network of cycle lanes and banning parked cars from these lanes. ➤ Printing the leaflet in full colour cost a fair slice of our annual budget. But it was worth it as it helped Harrow Cyclists get meetings with councillors from both the ruling Labour group and the opposition Conservatives. ➤ We held a meeting with the Harrow Council portfolio holder for the environment and some council officers. We soon realised that one reason cyclists lose out to residents who are determined to keep car privileges is that we are spread across the borough while the drivers can threaten a 'block vote' in their local ward. ➤ The College Road bike path moved up the agenda at this meeting. While the officials wanted the plan frozen until the neighbouring bus station is remodelled (this could be 2017 or later), the councillor adopted a “can-do” attitude as we only want some green paint and a few cycle signs, accepting that all could change with a new bus station. ➤ We are also exploring a better cycle way to Watford — some of which would be outside greater London and into Hertfordshire (where the TfL bike map goes monochrome). ➤ We made contact with the police including the borough superintendent. As a result, we

spent some hours observing the police checking on speeding motorists, many turn out to have committed other offences.

One driver lost his car and had to walk home as he had no tax, insurance or MoT – as well as driving at 40 in a 30 zone. ➤ Sadly, Harrow Cyclists is losing group coordinator Colin Waters who is moving to Hampshire, although he will remain an LCC member as he works in London. He has been a mainstay of the group and will be a very hard act to follow.

Tony Levene was voted in as the new coordinator at our annual general meeting. ➤ As the weather improves, we promise a full programme of rides for spring and summer; they are open to all.

MEETINGS: see website.

CONTACT: Tony Levene, 07828 580 931

ISLINGTON www.icag.org.uk The next meeting of our veloteers will take place on Wednesday 13 April from 7-9pm at the Town Hall, Upper Street, N1. A light supper will be served and we'll be discussing what the group has done so far to improve conditions locally for cyclists and our next steps. If you'd like to join us, please contact sltaylor001@yahoo.co.uk for more details. ➤ To our dismay Islington Council is planning to change its parking rules. Currently, vehicle owners buy a permit which allows them to park only in the zone where they live. However the new proposals would introduce a Residents’ Roamer, allowing all permit holders to park their vehicles in any zone in Islington between the hours of 11am-3pm (with complex variations around the Emirates Stadium). In addition, it is proposing to allow residents to buy an unlimited number of visitor parking vouchers.

Increasing vehicle movements for short urban journeys and encouraging visitors to drive to Islington are hardly cyclefriendly policies, so we have asked our members to object to these proposals. ➤ Other retrograde schemes locally are the removal of the

April-May 2011 London Cyclist 53

051056_groups.FINAL.indd 53

15/03/2011 00:00

BEST RIDES IN GROUPS LONDON

cycle contraflow in Marriott Road, N4 and the raising of the dropped kerb at the junction of Huntingdon Street with Caledonian Road. We were barely consulted on either of these reductions in cycle permeability. ➤ Many thanks to all the Waitrose, Chapel Market customers who put their green tokens in the collection for our group. We received a cheque for £280 which we will be using to run Dr Bike sessions in one of the local estates. ➤ Our AGM will be held on Wednesday 11 May at the Town Hall, Upper Street at 7.30pm — please check our website for details of our invited speaker.

MEETINGS: second Wednesday of the month (13 April, 11 May), 7.30pm on at Islington Town Hall, Upper Street, N1.

CONTACT: Alison Dines, 020 7226 7012; alisondines@clara. co.uk.

KENSINGTON & CHELSEA www.kc-cyclists.org.uk Our committee elections are due to be held on Monday 9 May. We hope to hold a special meeting with guest speakers including Mark Ames of 'i-bike-london' blog fame and key people at the council. Check the website for final details. ➤ We're planning a 'Ride the Royal Borough' ride with councillors to show them typical issues for cyclists in the borough.

Got any gripes? Let us know. ➤ All are welcome to our friendly meetings, so do feel free to come along to raise matters. Check our website and email group for meetings, rides and events.

MEETINGS: Monday 4 April, 6.30pm at the Devonshire Arms, 37 Marloes Road, W8. Venue for Monday 9 May to be confirmed (check website).

CONTACT: Philip Loy, 07960 026450; philip@kc-cyclists.org.uk.

KINGSTON www.kingstoncycling.org.uk Tim Moore, author of the very popular French Revolutions: Cycling the Tour de France, is our special guest at our AGM on 12 April at the United Reformed

Church, Kingston. Please come for 8pm. The Times described his book as ‘one of the funniest LAMBETH books about sport ever written’. www.lambethcyclists.org.uk ➤ One of our members has had success getting the timings at Our committee elections are due the Toucan crossing at Norbiton to be held on Tuesday 19 April. changed so that cyclists and This will be a special meeting pedestrians never have to wait with guest speakers including more than 30 seconds to cross Mark Ames of 'i-bike-london' blog London Road. Previously it took fame and the great and the good a frustratingly long time to get a of Lambeth council. Check the green light to cross. Goes to show website for final details. what an email to the councillors ➤ Our next Architecture Ride is can achieve. due to be Saturday 7 May on ➤ We have supplied feedback on Edwardian London — the website the council’s second draft LIP. will have details nearer the time.

No ride in April, but we may run You can see a précis on our an 'infrastructure' ride reviewing website. Would you believe that how other places cater for the target to increase cycling’s cyclists. journey mode share is just 0.1 ➤ Got something you've always percent per year, which is fancied raising? Come along to perhaps equivalent to an additional 100 people making our meetings or events whether round-trips by bike? This was you're an LCC member or not — all described as “particularly are welcome. ambitious” by the council. We MEETINGS: Tuesday 19 April made comment on reducing the (elections) and 17 May, 7.30pm perception of danger to upstairs at The Priory Arms, 83 encourage cycling, safety, Lansdowne Way, SW8. prioritisation of cycle routes and CONTACT: Philip Loy, 07960 cycle lane design. We also 026450; lambeth_cyclists@ commented on efforts to attract hotmail.com. cycle hire and cycle super highways that the council seem pin a lot of hope on.

NEWHAM ➤ In this topsy-turvy world www.newhamcyclists.org there is currently nowhere in the borough offering bike hire, but if There’s been big developments you want to rent a tandem that’s regarding the cycle path under no problem thanks to a new Stratford High Street — see page service offered by the YMCA 7 of this issue. at the Hawker Centre, funded by ➤ The new route forms part of a a grant of £2,840 from the series of new Newham Bike council. See tandemhire.com Rides. Cyclists participating in for details. one of these rides will be r ➤ John Dunn,, able to see se the our rides pathway pathw being ARE YOU constructed co-ordinator, con ?

GETTING IT and has done an later in Make sure you receive the the a sterling t year be latest news, e-newsletter. Full of the among the job of a LCC the , campaigns and events first people distributing read. If ial ent ess an is ter slet e-new to more than t ride 're missing out. you're not getting it you direct to ive under the 2,000 u To make sure it's del red Membership the t tac con High Street. leaflets H ox, inb r you 0 or sign Dates for the listing our Da Team on 020 7234 931 up at www.lcc.org.uk 2001 rides are rides to libraries, ies, (all Saturdays): bike shops, GP P Satu 16 April, 7 May, 21 May, surgeries and d M 18 June (Bike Week ride), 9 July, chemists.

30 July, 20 August and 10 MEETINGS: AGM on 12 April at September. the United Reformed Church, ➤ All rides start at 10.30am from Kingston (corner Eden Street and outside Stratford station and Union Street). 10 May, 8.30pm at the Waggon & Horses pub, finish back there at about 3pm.

Surbiton Hill Road.

No need to book. Just turn up on CONTACT: Rob James, 020 8546 the day. These leisurely, social 8865. rides with a café stop, are almost

entirely off-road along paths suitable for all types of bikes in good working order. ➤ The importance of the pathway and bridge for London cannot be overemphasised. It creates a 28-mile continuous off-road, vehicle free, route along the Lea Navigation from Ware and Hertford to link with the Olympic Park, Three Mills and the Limehouse Cut at Bow Locks.

And the successful completion of a safe cycling and walking pathway under Stratford High Street creates, via the stimulus of the 2012 Games and the Lea River Park project, two continuous off-road, vehicle free, routes that enhance pleasurable and sustainable transport in London.

METINGS: see website.

CONTACT: Bernard McDonnell, via website.

RICHMOND www.richmondlcc.co.uk Following in the footsteps of the neighbouring campaign in Kingston, we have been giving bike lights away at strategic places in the borough. Most people already had them and those who got free lights were very pleased. One lady had just had her light fall off and break, so we must have seemed like angels sent from light heaven. ➤ We have also been out riding with Friends of the River Crane Environment (FORCE), discussing their plans for the River Crane in Richmond and Hounslow and beyond. A true ‘greenway’ from the Grand Union to the Thames is possible and likely, thanks to their hard work.

We continue to support them whenever we can. ➤ Our campaigns coordinator is working very hard to make sure we are an effective campaign and his efforts are bearing fruit, slowly but surely. One area we are in discussions about is the Olympic road race and time-trial taking place in the borough. This is a fantastic opportunity to persuade the council to make some changes in time for the Olympics. ➤ We have been involved with Twickenham Cycling Club’s ‘Strictly Cycling’ project which is based around grass-track racing but also means to draw in all

54 London Cyclist April-May 2011

051056_groups.FINAL.indd 54

15/03/2011 00:01

SUTTON www.cyclismsutton.org.uk Lots happening and schemes currently underway include: borough-wide signage review of LCN+ routes 29 and 75; Lower Morden, Elm Road West, path widening complete, new fencing added (unfortunate that deemed necessary), barriers to remain (unfortunate), safety issues highlighted by Friends of Sutton Common Park over conversion of footway to shared use Greenways. ➤ Schemes that that have been proposed, and are on-going (either delayed or partially completed): various locations in town centre, re-orientation of signage required; Sutton Common, Reigate Avenue Recreation Ground (Glenthorne Field) – access ramp to replace steps from Reigate Avenue; Wallington, Link Lane — contraflow for cyclists; Mellows Park — improved access to, and path upgrade within. ➤ Join our Cloverleaf Ride, 7pm at Sutton Town Square on Tuesday 24 May. We have yet to finalise Bike Week, but there will be Dr Bikes on Saturdays 18 and 25 June, plus a midweek Nature Ride.

MEETINGS: second Tuesday of each month (10 May, 8 June, 12 July) from 8.30pm at Robin Hood Pub, at corner of West Street and Robin Hood Lane.

CONTACT: Chris Parry, 02086473584.

Gerhard Weiss

cyclists, regardless. Lots of activities are planned including a bike festival at Marble Hill in the summer, led rides and plenty more. If you’d like more info or to get involved, get in touch using the contact details below. ➤ We are currently awaiting the final consultation of the council’s LIP and cycling strategy document. Sign up to our newsletter, our twitter account or keep checking the website for more info when it happens.

MEETINGS: second Monday of the month, 8pm at The Ship Inn in Richmond.

CONTACT: Jonathan Rowland, 07976 294626; info@ richmondlcc.co.uk.

RIDES & EVENTS

For the latest details on cycle rides: www.lcc.org.uk/rides

SADDLE UP: join a ride organised by your local LCC group — here Waltham Forest members visit the British Museum

Sunday 3 April ➤ Bread Pudding morning ride: 10.30am, Kingston Market Place. Contact: John Dunn (020 8397 1875); johnedunn@ blueyonder.co.uk Sunday 3 April ➤ Bread Pudding afternoon ride: 2pm, Kingston Market Place. Contact: John Dunn (020 8397 1875); johnedunn@ blueyonder.co.uk Sunday 3 April ➤ Olympic ride in Surrey: 10am, Bushy Park, Fountain car park. 50-miler looking at 2012 road race route, including Box Hill. Contact: Paul Luton (020 8977 4016); rides@richmondlcc.co.uk Tuesday 5 April ➤ Hackney Bike Workshop: 7pm, The Kings Centre Frampton Park Baptist Church, Frampton Park, E9. Contact: Adam Thompson (07940 121 513); hackneybikeworkshop@gmail.com Wednesday 6 April ➤ Wednesday Weekly Wander: 7.30pm, Bromley South station. Every Weds (except second Weds) throughout the year. Contact: Spencer Harradine (07958 693518); spencer.harradine@ ntlworld.com Tuesday 12 April ➤ Hackney Bike Workshop: 7pm, All Saints Church Hall, 22-24 Northwold Road, N16. Contact: Adam Thompson (07940 121 513); hackneybikeworkshop@gmail.com Saturday 16 April ➤ New Newham Ride: 10.30am, Stratford station. Almost entirely off-road. Places visited include: the Greenway, 2012 View Tube, 2012 Stadium, Royal Docks, Thames Barrier Park, London City Airport. Contact: Bernard McDonnell (07947236965); adavil@ntlworld.com.

Sunday 17 April ➤ Palaces of West London: 10.15am, Richmond Little Green, by library. 11-miler via Syon House, Osterley and the Adam mansion. Contact: Paul Luton (020 8977 4016); rides@richmondlcc.co.uk Sunday 17 April ➤ Bread Pudding ride: 10.30am, Kingston Market Place. Contact: John Dunn (020 8397 1875); johnedunn@ blueyonder.co.uk

Sunday 17 April ➤ Little Green Ride: 9.45am, ticket hall at Finsbury Park mainline station. About 30 miles in the Herts countryside. Contact: Stephen Taylor (07977 235735); sltaylor001 @yahoo.co.uk Tuesday 19 April ➤ Hackney Bike Workshop: 7pm, The Kings Centre Frampton Park Baptist Church, Frampton Park, E9. Contact: Adam Thompson (07940 121 513); hackneybikeworkshop@gmail.com Wednesday 20 April ➤ KCC Midweek ride: 7.30m, Kingston Market Place. Contact: John Dunn (020 8397 1875); johnedunn@blueyonder.co.uk Wednesday 20 April ➤ Wednesday Weekly Wander: 7.30pm, Bromley South station. Contact: Spencer Harradine (07958 693518); spencer.harradine@ntlworld.com Thursday 21 April ➤ Paris to London: 5pm, St Pancras International station. Greenwich and Lewisham Cyclists' five-day cycle tour over the Easter weekend, 130 miles in France, about 100 in England. Cost: £200 including Eurostar, Dieppe to Newhaven ferry and B&B. There is a strict limit of ten places.

Contact: Tom Crispin (020 8318 1004); mail@britishschoolofcycling.com.

McDonnell (07947236965); adavil@ ntlworld.com.

Sunday 8 May ➤ Bread Pudding Challenge ride: 10.30am, Kingston Market Place. Contact: John Dunn (020 8397 1875); johnedunn@ blueyonder.co.uk Sunday 8 May ➤ Suffolk Sunrise 100: Non-LCC ride.

Contact: Mark Trott (01795 423449); mtrott@action.org.uk Sunday 15 May ➤ Little Green Ride: 9.45am, ticket hall at Finsbury Park mainline station. About 30 miles in the Herts countryside. Contact: Stephen Taylor (07977 235735); sltaylor001 @yahoo.co.uk Tuesday 17 May ➤ Hackney Bike Workshop: 7pm, The Kings Centre Frampton Park Baptist Church, Frampton Park, E9. Contact: Adam Thompson (07940 121 513); hackneybikeworkshop@gmail.com Saturday 21 May ➤ New Newham Ride: 10.30am, Stratford station. Contact: Bernard McDonnell (07947236965); adavil@ ntlworld.com.

Tuesday 26 April ➤ LCC retention evening: 6pm, LCC offices — see website for details.

Saturday 21 May ➤ Explorer ride: 10.30am, Mortlake station. Visiting Staines Moor and Pinewood Studios. Contact: Paul Luton (020 8977 4016); rides@richmondlcc.co.uk

Sunday 1 May ➤ Burnham Beeches: 10.20am, Richmond station. Visiting Staines Moor and Pinewood Studios. Contact: Paul Luton (020 8977 4016); rides@richmondlcc.co.uk

Sunday 22 May ➤ Bread Pudding Challenge ride: 10.30am, Kingston Market Place. Contact: John Dunn (020 8397 1875); johnedunn@ blueyonder.co.uk

Tuesday 3 May ➤ Hackney Bike Workshop: 7pm, The Kings Centre Frampton Park Baptist Church, Frampton Park, E9. Contact: Adam Thompson (07940 121 513); hackneybikeworkshop@gmail.com

Tuesday 24 May ➤ LCC retention evening: 6pm, LCC offices — see website for details.

Sunday 6 May ➤ London to Paris: Non-LCC ride.

Contact: Moira Vincent (020 8361 5540); moira@computeraid.org Saturday 7 May ➤ New Newham Ride: 10.30am, Stratford station. Contact: Bernard

Wednesday 25 May ➤ KCC Midweek ride: 7.30m, Kingston Market Place. Contact: John Dunn (020 8397 1875); johnedunn@blueyonder.co.uk Friday 27 May ➤ Arsenal European Cycle Challenge: Non-LCC ride. Contact: Steve Parslow (020 7423 6866; s.parslow@ centrepoint.org

April-May 2011 London Cyclist 55

051056_groups.FINAL.indd 55

15/03/2011 00:01

BEST RIDES IN GROUPS LONDON

TOWER HAMLETS

www.towerhamletswheelers.org.uk

➤ We have a good programme of rides coming up, with details on our new website (same url — www.towerhamletswheelers. org.uk). Our monthly self-help maintenance workshop continues at the Boxing Club, Limehouse Town Hall, but note that from April it will be on the third Saturday of every month instead of the last.

MEETINGS: second Wednesday of the month, 7.30pm at St Margarets Hall, Bethnal Green.

CONTACT: robl@towerhamlets wheelers.org.uk

We've just finished reviewing Tower Hamlets Council's draft Local Improvement Plan, which explains how the council proposes to implement the Mayor's transport strategy over the next five years. In general the plan is very positive about enhancing sustainable travel in the borough, although we would like to see a higher target for modal share of cycling than the one quoted. To see what's proposed, you can download a WALTHAM FOREST copy from http://www. www.wfcycling.org.uk towerhamlets.gov.uk/lgsl/851900/867_consultation/lip2.

Waltham Forest’s Local aspx.

Implementation Plan Implementa ➤ After Cycle (LIP) is now finalised n Superhighway and will y 3, w define PAYING BY transport CS2 is now tran DIRECT DEBIT spending for under sp Did you know that if all our members the const next chose to pay their membership by three years. truction. t Direct Debit, it would save LCC at least You This seems Y can £12,000 a year? If you’re not doing so already, call the Membership Team read our to consist of r on 020 7234 9310. It only takes a coup response painting r le of minutes to set up and the money here (http:// half a bus h saved will go directly towards tiny.cc/ lane blue tin making London safer WFcycling LIP on the WFc for cyclists. response).

We Whitechapel road, oad, respon have grown and we're not sure grow accustomed what the benefi fitt off this thi is i t d to t these documents being visionary, but — you'll be sharing your bike lane we don’t think our role as with a bus, which is exactly campaigners is over just yet. We what happens now. CS3 have met with the environment meanwhile, is in trouble on portfolio holder and passionate Narrow Street, where the cyclist Clyde Loakes to talk about Limehouse residents association making cycling a more feasible want it removed because (a) option for borough residents they dislike the blue paint and and visitors. (b) there are too many bikes!

We're happy to concede the first ➤ We have already had some point — the paint wasn't really great rides — you can find reports necessary. The second relates on walthamforestcycling really to the behaviour of some campaign.blogspot.com. Still to cyclists — once again, an come this spring are the aggressive minority are giving traditional Lazy London cyclists in general a bad name.

Marathon (17 April) and the Fat ➤ The council has recently Boy ride (29 May). All welcome. commissioned a review of the ➤ If you haven’t done so already, register for the AHEAD charity 'ranger' scheme that was introduced around 12 months ride (5 June) which WFcycling is ago. Wheelers attended the proud to co-organise. review meeting and it looks ➤ Join us on the many Bike likely that the scheme will be Week events in June, starting continued, with some minor with the ever popular Cyclist Tea administration improvements.

(17 June) and culminating with This is a great opportunity to get the Tour of Waltham Forest (26 your ideas through to the June), the cycling extravaganza council, so if you would like to for everyone. get involved, contact alix. ➤ For the latest ride leaflet and stredwick@transport-initiatives. newsletter go to www.scribd. com. com/wfcycling.

➤ If you think you can help us engage with politicians and officers regarding cycling issues in your ward, please get in touch with our veloteers programme (veloteers@wfcycling.org.uk) or simply come to one of our monthly meetings.

MEETINGS: every second Wednesday of the month, 8pm at Hornbeam Centre. Workshop: Low Hall depot, South Access road, E17 — sale on first Saturday of the month, recycling on Fridays from 9am-4pm, public drop-in on second, third and fourth Saturday of the month from11am-3pm (£3 donation for tools and support).

CONTACT: Gerhard Weiss, 07894035571; gerhard@ wfcycling.org.uk. Or stay in touch via: @wfcycling; Waltham-ForestCycling-Campaign on Facebook; www.scribd.com/wfcycling, www. walthamforestcyclingcampaign. blogspot.com.

WANDSWORTH www.wandsworthcyclists.org.uk With the bluebell season in prospect, and new cyclists expected to take to the roads, we are keeping an eagle eye on the Cycle Superhighway in our borough. Having seen that the blue surface on CS7 is already being patched with standard tarmac; we are making our disapproval clear to our contacts at TfL. ➤ We’ve identified our ten favourite streets to be returned to two-way for cyclists only.

Also, in alliance with Transition Town Tooting, we have identified two we think suitable as trial streets for on-highway bike parking pods. Our lists have gone off to an interested local councillor and we’ll be following him up vigorously, to encourage some action on our proposals. ➤ David Love of LCC came to a recent meeting to discuss a local poster campaign, and another idea to make cycling part of the driving test. He has raised this during a recent meeting with our local Putney MP, Justine Greening. ➤ There’s lots more going on. We can report a success at Balham Sainsbury’s, who have finally agreed to put in some decent cycle parking to replace the laughable ones they recently installed, and also some work

with Ravenstone School, to encourage the children there to cycle more. If any of this addresses your concerns, please get in touch — new members are made very welcome.

MEETINGS: second Tuesdays of the month, 7pm at Friends Meeting House, 59 Wandsworth High Street (opposite Town Hall) and afterwards at Brewers Inn. CONTACT: Simon Merrett, 0208 789 6639.

WESTMINSTER www.westminstercyclists.org.uk We recently had an opportunity to comment on Westminster's Local Implementation Plan.

Although it has a more positive attitude towards cycling than many documents in the past — and claims to support the Mayor's cycling revolution — its target for increasing cycling is very modest. This is matched by a lack of specific schemes to improve cycling conditions. So we are pressing the council to continue its programme of improvements and to ensure that the other schemes it plans to implement will make cycling easier. ➤ This year we started using the LCC's e-mailing system to send out newsletters to the LCC's list of Westminster members and our own list, which we had built up over the years. If you would like to join the list, you are very welcome to do so via our website.

MEETINGS: see website.

CONTACT: Colin Wing, 020 7828 1500; cyclist@westminster cyclists.org.uk.

OTHER LOCAL GROUP CONTACTS BARKING & DAGENHAM www.stibasa.org.uk BEXLEY www.lcc.org.uk/localgroups CITY CYCLISTS www.citycyclists.org.uk HARINGEY R White; robert.hcc@virgin.net REDBRIDGE www.redbridgelcc.org.uk

COPY DEADLINE June/July 2011 issue: Friday 22 April Send your copy and photos to: editorlondoncyclist@yahoo.com

56 London Cyclist April-May 2011

051056_groups.FINAL.indd 56

15/03/2011 00:01

p57.indd 57

16/03/2011 16:47

VOX POPS

London cyclists

More of the bike community by our snapper with an antique field camera www.danielbosworth.com

Name Lincoln Romain Age It's immaterial... 45 From Sydenham Bike Salsa Casseroll Favourite London ride Brixton Cycles Club's Sunday loop One thing you'd change about cycling in London More training for new riders

Name Zoe Williams Age 37 From Clapham Bike Specialized Secteur Favourite London ride Crystal Palace, over Amberley hill One thing you'd change about cycling in London Ban truck stickers saying "if you can't see my mirrors, I can't see you", it's a cop out

Name Tim Chivers Age 45 From Crystal Palace Bike Specialized Rockhopper, re-enforced to hold 60kgs of kit Favourite London ride Early shift down the Mall in summer One thing you'd change about cycling in London Fix potholes in roads

Name Barnaby Stutter Age 45 From Brixton Bike Surly Crosscheck Favourite London ride To the Trinity Arms for a pint of Ramrod and special One thing you'd change about cycling in London Nothing really... maybe an empathy machine?

58 London Cyclist April-May 2011

058_voxpops.FINAL.indd 58

20/03/2011 21:37

Stop cycle thieves in their tracks BikeRegister has been used by UK Police Forces for the last 15 years to return stolen bikes to their owners

:LSLJ[HTHYRWSJ Advanced Asset Protection

Secure your bike today, log onto:

www.BikeRegister.com DA301 ISSUE 1

p59.indd 59

16/03/2011 00:17

Password

Website WWW.CHAINREACTIONCYCLES.COM

WORLDS LARGEST ONLINE BIKESTORE

Log in

More than just our customers...

facebook.com/ChainReactionCycles - 200,000

Join our online community / Follow us on

Free UK and Ireland delivery on all orders

IFC.indd 2

15/03/2011 23:40